There Are How Many Editors?

As I separated from the writers group, I was nervous. There are many groups on facebook, and other social media groups, and it can be overwhelming. If you google for help, you will be swamped with information. I decided to join the group: Fantasy Writers Critique & Support Group. After being told by the member of my writers group, and seconded by a few others, that they didn’t understand my style of writing, I figured I needed to find people who understood urban fantasy, werewolves, and young adult. 

A member said they were a beta reader. I hadn’t heard that term, or many, and in a few short weeks, I learned more about the world or writing, authors, and true support than I could have hoped for.

Let me start at the beginning of the types of editors you’ll find.

Alpha reader: My son is my favorite alpha reader, quickly followed by the person who was roped in to pre-edit my work when I was in a writers group. These are people who read the raw writings. You write your work. You read over it. You are happy and proud. They read it. They are your cheerleaders. They also will tell you the raw deal of when you’ve messed up with your characters. 

If you are lucky, these people can brainstorm with you when you need help ironing out areas of your story that are tricky. I will tell my son an idea and he’ll give me a thumbs up or down. Sometimes he’ll inform me he knows where I sleep…these ideas have not come to fruition.

Critique Partners (CP): Critique partners are similar to alpha readers, but more involved. Often you have more of the story written. You swap a couple of chapters on a schedule and dig down into the story. Usually they don’t worry about grammar. This is the point in which you worry about flow, characterization, and growth. Is the emotion strong enough? Do you have enough conflict? Have you shown enough or are you just telling the story? A good CP is amazing.

Beta reader: Once you have your story done. You’ve finished it. It is glorious. Your next step is a beta reader. You can pay for this service. If you go this route, make sure they are reputable and that the deal is you pay after services have been rendered. I have heard stories… However, I have found that agreeing to swap manuscripts with another writer is a great way to find this service for free.

Beta readers read the story beginning to end. They add comments every time they think something is funny, something is confusing, any time they have a question. They may note when you shift your verb tense, but again, their job isn’t about grammar, it is about flow, characterization, and overall readability of your book. 

Editor: Now is when you’ll probably have to start paying. Finding a good editor is important. If you are on a social media page for writers, you may ask for recommendations. If not, make sure the editor offers a sample. You have to make sure the editor enjoys the style and genre of writing you produce. You want to ensure you have a connection with the editor so that you get the highest quality editing for your work that you can get. You also want to protect your wallet. Editors can be expensive, so shop around. Don’t jump into an editor too quickly. Unlike all of my other suggestions, this one should be checking your grammar!

When I found my editor I lucked out. They not only could check the grammar, they could also sensitivity edit my writing of Bevin, my transgender character. Having this character at first was a whim. I wanted my characters to mirror the diversity of people in my life, but Bevin very quickly explained to me that he was going to be a major part of my writing. The advice of Gavin and my sensitivity editor has been priceless. 

Now, good luck. Find a writing community. Writers have a stereotype of being solitary hermits. With the invention of the internet that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.