Blog for Bristol Services Intl.

I’ve been asked this question a few times. Some authors ask if I’ll read an entire book prior to editing it, just to give them an overview, to see if it is worthy of full editing. I don’t work that way and for several reasons.

First, it takes the edge off my editing, because when I start the full edit I already expect certain things to go a certain way. Elements of surprise will be blunted and problems with inconsistencies wouldn’t be as apparent to me.

Second, your audience–both potential publisher and eventual reader–WON’T do an overall read first before settling in to read the full book. So I need to be critiquing it as those readers would: fresh and full-on just as they would be reading it. For instance, if you have a sudden switch in direction, does that switch work or does it feel jarring? Is the sudden appearance of a character make sense presented as you do? Did the hint about the broken pocketwatch in Chapter 3 set the reader up enough for seeing it again in Chapter 23?  If I’ve already read and know how these elements fit in, I can’t address as easily the impact your story will have on readers.

You CAN send me just the opening chapter or so (3,000 to 4,000 words for a $30 fee) for a sample of my editing approach which will include an overview of the story as presented in that opening. Frankly, this is the most important part of any book. If you don’t grab the reader, make them feel invested in your character, let them be thrilled with your presentation, then the rest is moot anyway.

So … consider making that opening just as tight and clean and fascinating as you can. Submit that to me for my editing service and we can go from there. At the worst, you’ll learn of changes that might be needed throughout the rest (and that isn’t so bad–a great investment for $30!). At the best, you’ll find you are already well on the way to having created “the Great American Novel.”