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Author: ACCrispin
Date: 01-13-02 10:04
I concur heartily with what Gary K. said. Back when I first started writing (the Paleolithic) it never occurred to any writers to hire editors before submitting. I think all of this "your work MUST be edited prior to submitting" stuff came about as a result of scuzzy book doctors and agents who were trying to disguise fees.
It's perfectly true that some people do need to hire an independent editor to fix up their work. These folks are usually people who aren't writers by trade who have written a book, for whatever reason. Celebrities, for example.
But anyone who wants to have a career as a writer MUST learn to self-edit and polish their work. MUST!
As for the quality of editing one can get from hiring an editor -- it's all over the map. Kelly O'Donnell/Martha Ivery (the scam agent/publisher) charges her clients thousands to edit their stuff. And, as some of you here on these boards (especially Gary) have had the "opportunity" to witness, she's virtually illiterate. Would you want her touching your manuscript? (shudders)
So this is definitely a case of "caveat emptor," checking references, etc. And you CAN learn to edit your own work. Every professional writer I know does it.
Best,
-Ann C. Crispin
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