Editor for Sci-Fi

Author
Discussion

z_chromozone

Original Poster:

1,436 posts

256 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
Hi All,

I know there are a few authors on here who have published, so I was hoping someone may have a good contact.

I am looking for an editor for my 110K word Sci-Fi novel. It is the first in a series of at least 3 that I have planned.

I would be interested to hear if any of you have had good or bad experiences. I think cost vs value would be important too.

Mrs Z paid to have her book edited by a pro and got some negative comments in respect to grammar on amazon after publication. I don't want to pay for someone that adds no value.

Any comments appreciated,

Z

Trax

1,541 posts

239 months

Monday 13th March 2017
quotequote all
z_chromozone said:
Hi All,

I know there are a few authors on here who have published, so I was hoping someone may have a good contact.

I am looking for an editor for my 110K word Sci-Fi novel. It is the first in a series of at least 3 that I have planned.

I would be interested to hear if any of you have had good or bad experiences. I think cost vs value would be important too.

Mrs Z paid to have her book edited by a pro and got some negative comments in respect to grammar on amazon after publication. I don't want to pay for someone that adds no value.

Any comments appreciated,

Z
No idea on who to use, but I remember on talks with Peter Hamilton, he puts great faith in his Editor, and its more for gaps in story, things that don't make sense, or changes to bits that need to be done to read better, like why did this character come in here, but not again there etc, as opposed to straight forward grammar.

Obviously he doesn't pay for his editor, it will be part of his book deals. I believe he also lets his wife read what he writes, unless I imagined that. I would love to read it, but that's because I love Sci-Fi, and wouldn't add anything an Editor could.

z_chromozone

Original Poster:

1,436 posts

256 months

Tuesday 14th March 2017
quotequote all
Hi Trax,

Thanks for the advice.

If you are genuinely interested to read it, I would appreciate your opinion. Mrs Z is not interested 

I’ll get it converted to a pdf and PM you.

Kind regards,

Z

nyxster

1,452 posts

178 months

Friday 17th March 2017
quotequote all
i'd suggest asking on the writer's cafe at kboards.com. Plenty of scifi authors on there who can probably make a recommendation and there is a list of them there. I'd suggest once you find someone reading a few books they have edited before using them, I've seen some shockingly edited books by 'pro' editors.

z_chromozone

Original Poster:

1,436 posts

256 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks NYX.

My wife paid good money to have her book edited and it go panned by a reviewer for needing to be prof' edited. She was not at all happy, as there is no refund available.

That is the reason I asked on here in the first place, so I will follow up on that user group.

I don't mind paying, but would like to avoid being ripped off by substandard editors.

Kind regards,

Z

Trax

1,541 posts

239 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
z_chromozone said:
Hi Trax,

Thanks for the advice.

If you are genuinely interested to read it, I would appreciate your opinion. Mrs Z is not interested ?

I’ll get it converted to a pdf and PM you.

Kind regards,

Z
I would love to have a read Z, if your're happy to email a PDF, then thats fine, if you need me to sign/agree to any non disclosure stuff first, then I would be happy with that, as don't want any concerns of impropriety....

Of course, if you get that far, I will be buying a first edition hardback, which I would expect to have signed at your rammed book tour. You have to start somewhere....

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

235 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
Trax said:
No idea on who to use, but I remember on talks with Peter Hamilton, he puts great faith in his Editor, and its more for gaps in story, things that don't make sense, or changes to bits that need to be done to read better, like why did this character come in here, but not again there etc, as opposed to straight forward grammar.

Obviously he doesn't pay for his editor, it will be part of his book deals. I believe he also lets his wife read what he writes, unless I imagined that. I would love to read it, but that's because I love Sci-Fi, and wouldn't add anything an Editor could.
I have read a lot of Peter F Hamilton stuff. If anything, it seems that he is missing an editor. hehe He is probably the worst author for gaping gaps in a story.

OP - some on here have mailed their stories to other PH'ers for appraisal. We aren't editors, but we can read the story and give you an opinion.

Trax

1,541 posts

239 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
I have read a lot of Peter F Hamilton stuff. If anything, it seems that he is missing an editor. hehe He is probably the worst author for gaping gaps in a story.

OP - some on here have mailed their stories to other PH'ers for appraisal. We aren't editors, but we can read the story and give you an opinion.
I don't know, never thought Peters books were bad, not as well written as Banks, but not much is, but full of issues, nah. Then again, I just read for enjoyment, so don't go looking for any issues.

I am enjoying working my way through Alasatir Reynolds work at the moment, again a different story teller to PFH or IMB, but I do like it. I do sometimes like easy going fantasy stores, like Robin Hobbs writes, nice easy to read escapism, although as with most books, they can get frustrating.

But As said, we're no editors, but having read a broad range of SciFi/fantasy, I can say where it fits in, and if I like it.

TooLateForAName

4,839 posts

191 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Bung me a copy as well please.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

235 months

Thursday 4th May 2017
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I never got a copy in the end.

OP - did you send anything out?