I’ve never hired an editor for my manuscripts. Until now. But, I’m jumping ahead. I’m seeking an editor, and I hope to engage and hire one within the week which doesn’t give me much time.
My publisher gave me a few leads for recommended editors. One was unavailable and the other would have charged about a quarter of my yearly part-time salary. Over the last few weeks, I incorporated quite a few editing suggestions from my publisher into my latest manuscript. Via zoom meetings, we worked on redirecting an entire plot sequence and also the minute details of changing a word or two in a sentence—all in Chapter One. And we went through the exercise for the first 60 pages.
’ve got to be honest. It took me a day or two before I even wanted to look at the manuscript again. But the thing I feared the most is losing interest in my own story. Don’t get me wrong. I love my story and the character who live in the world of Book 2 of “The Miriam Chronicles.” And I want to guard what I believe needs to be in there. But I also I need to be cognizant that there’s good advice, especially from the publisher. If I take a deep breath and let some distance intervene, but not too much, I see what can be changed for the better.
But it’s really hard working on the Alpha and Beta components of a story all at once. Which is why I’m writing this blog. I know it took me awhile to get to the topic, but I need to know more about Alpha Readers and Beta Readers. So, of course, I looked it up. Alpha Readers read the rough draft and give feedback. Beta Readers touch up the final draft. I don’t believe that my book “The Years In Between” is in the rough draft stages. It’s been over five years since “Unearthing Christmas” the book that started the series was first published.
“Unearthing Christmas” has its own trajectory in the publishing world with the first publisher going bankrupt and the second publisher now merged with my third publisher. I believe everything happens for a reason, even the circuitous path of “The Miriam Chronicles,” the five-novel series born from the first book.
But when I attend writer’s conferences and hear about authors publishing two books per year I start wondering, “Where did I go wrong?” After “The Years In Between—The Miriam Chronicles, Book 2” I have three more novels to complete the series. I yearn to get beyond this constant editing cycle so I can resume Book 3 which I started when I thought Book 2 would be published a few years back. I also didn’t expect to hire an editor with my new publisher. My second publisher reviewed Book 2 and we went through a cycle of edits which I completed in 2020. And I thought I was ready for publishing. But the book is back in my hands for review by a soon-to-be hired editor.
So I need to brace myself for more edits knowing full well that fiction is subjective. Let’s face it. No one likes every style of writing. But if I hear the same vein of constructive criticism from many sources, then there’s something I need to work on and I’m all for it. I want the book to be the best it can be to illuminate the characters. There are technique issues that not everyone will agree upon, and that’s the biggest struggle right now. I hope and pray an excellent editor will give me guidance that I will embrace.
So, in my search for the role of Alpha and Beta Readers, I found a list of questions I’m supposed to be addressing with either one. Sure I’ll take note of them, but I’m also not going to totally direct how this process goes. At least that’s what I’m saying right now. But the questions are good, and they may prove worthwhile.
So here goes!
For Alpha Readers:
- What did you think I was going for?
- Did you have any questions once you’d read it?
- What’s working here?
- What’s not working for you?
For Beta Readers:
- What kind of tone did the piece have?
- How did you feel reading it?
- Did the ending make sense? Did it feel right?
- When did you start caring / when did the piece grab your attention?
- Did you have any questions once you’d read it?
Some editors in conferences warn about reading fatigue in editing your book, i.e. don’t go through it too many times!! Well, I’m way beyond that one! I’ve been through it more times than I ever imagined. But, it’s for a reason. Maybe it’s timing of when it should be released, even if it feels way overdue! Who knows? I’m not there yet. But I’ll check in next month and let you know how the hired editor situation works out. I’ll say it again. It’s all for a reason! Happy writing. Love your story and listen to good and thoughtful guidance!