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Editor Interview: Nan Snipes

March 7, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Nan SnipesGood morning! Today we’re talking with Nan Snipes from Faithworks Editorial and Writing Inc. Like many editors, she stumbled into editing, but it’s become a passion for her. The key to Nan’s success – versatility. Here’s how she makes it work.

Hi, and thanks for your willingness to appear on my blog! I’m looking forward to sharing your knowledge and advice with the rest of the world (at least with the small portion of it that follows my blog). When did you start writing/editing professionally?

I started writing professionally more than thirty years ago, and I’ve written mostly stories for compilation books (more than sixty) and articles. I began editing eleven years ago after my husband was laid off for the second or third time.

Why did you want to be a freelance writer/editor?

I have always loved writing, even as a child. But in high school I was discouraged after writing a story for class. My teacher announced, in front of the class, that I had not written it. Later that year, I wrote another story, and he had to admit he was wrong. Editing came along when my husband was laid off, and the regional magazine for which I had freelanced asked if I was interested in proofreading twenty to twenty-five monthly newsletters. I was, and I have been doing it for eleven years.

What’s your specialty/focus? Why/how did you pick this?

In editing, my specialty would be memoirs. I’ve pre-edited six or seven royalty books for one author, and a number of other self-published books. I didn’t pick this specialty. It picked me!

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?

In memoirs, I enjoy helping to convey a specific voice. I enjoy reworking specific areas to make the characters’ thoughts clearer and cleaner.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome during your career?

Time. I’ve had to juggle two weeks of newsletter proofing with book projects. The newsletters have to be proofed by the AP Stylebook, while my book projects have to be copyedited using CMOS and the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style.

What’s surprised you the most during your career?

That I absolutely love editing!

If you could give a new freelance writer/editor one piece of advice, what would it be?

For a freelance writer, I would say never give up. Be persistent, you will get published. For a freelance editor, be versatile. Learn as much as you can in book editing, as well as business editing. By being versatile, you will always have work.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?

I would have started editing much sooner.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?

When I work with authors who write inspirational books, I become uplifted as well.

What does your work space/office look like?

When I’m working hard, the office is kind of chaotic. Once I come to a stop, though, I reorder everything.

What is your go-to snack when working?

Several snacks: salsa and chips; oranges; cashews.

Excluding the CMOS (that’s a given) what one editing resource would you recommend? Why?

Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors by Kathy Ide.

 

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog! Have a blessed day!

Click here to learn more about Faithworks Editorial Services.

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: Nan Snipes

Balancing Act – Making it Work (repost)

February 24, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Search for success
It may take a while, but you can find success!

It may seem like the freelance life is the perfect way to work, but it’s not for everyone. For some of us it’s a real struggle (as much of a struggle as it is for some people to get up and get to the office). Today I thought I’d look back to see how far I’ve come. I wrote this in 2010. I’m sharing it today to remind me of my progress and to encourage others that it can be done!

—

I wish I could tell you that this post is all about how I’ve made it work, but it’s not. It’s about my constant shifting, trying to figure out what system works the best for me.

This summer hasn’t been the most typical, so I never got into a groove. I worked hard through the end of May and June to figure out a nice routine. I managed to meet my weekly deadlines, as well as research some new outlets and submit a few pieces. Things were clicking…

Then I took three wonderful weeks off in July to visit family. I accomplished virtually nothing in the writing world, but I don’t mind a bit. I spent hours each day with two nieces and a nephew whom I only see for a week or two at a time every 4-6 months. I would do it all over again. However…it completely threw off my routine.

I’m now two weeks into the home life and getting settled again. It hasn’t been easy. Even though I’m in my natural habitat, it’s been a weird summer. With 80+ degree days and 90% humidity in an un-air conditioned home, it’s been hard to focus. Add to that the joy of harvest season, and I find myself waist-deep in zucchini, cucumbers, and squash that all need to be cooked or processed before they spoil.

Thankfully my efforts in May and June weren’t wasted: I’ve still been able to meet all of my deadlines and keep up with the work that I have. Unfortunately, that’s all I’ve been able to do. I’m not picking up new work, and I’m not writing fiction – those are the two things I want to do more than anything else!

That’s why I’m going to schedule for it. Sure, it’d be nice to “wait on the muse” and turn to fiction when I’m feeling inspired, but that might happen in the middle of my workout, or during errands. By the time I finish, the moment is gone, so I shrug it off and do something else. Sadly that’s been happening for far too long. No more.

I’m not sure when I’m going to do it, but by the end of this week I’ll have picked a weekly time when I can research new outlets and a weekly time when I can work on fiction. Because of my bizarre schedule and my hubby’s crowded schedule, I need to figure out what will give us time together, too. I’m sure I can figure it out.

(Of course, all of this will change in about three weeks – that’s when my husband’s company moves them to a new building – it’ll change his work week, which will change mine. That’s okay…I’ll make it work).

This post originally appeared on www.karinbeery.com/blog. 

Filed Under: editing, writing Tagged With: freelance work

Get Noticed as a Freelance Editor by Dori Harrell

February 15, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

dori-resizedYou’ve developed top-notch editing skills. You’ve edited a few, if not several, projects. You’ve set up a website that rivals the best-looking site on the Internet. Now you’re ready to step up your game as a freelance editor.

Beyond the basics listed above, there are a few steps you can take to focus the attention of authors on your services.

Increase your competitiveness. Examine several websites of successful editors and see what you can offer that they don’t. (What would I consider a successful freelance editor? One with a viewable portfolio of projects similar to those you’d like to edit.) For example, can you offer sample edits of ten pages instead of five? Can you offer faster turnaround on editing projects? Can you offer a more competitive rate? Try to find at least one area where you can take a competitive lead. Editor websites are listed at the Christian PEN, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and Copyediting-L. (Googling freelance editor usually pulls up publishing services firms.)

Network locally. Find listings of local networking meetings on Facebook (in the search field, list your city and the word networking), com, and through chambers of commerce. If you’ve never attended a networking meeting, they can be a bit daunting. Pitches usually run one to three minutes, so prepare a couple elevator pitches of different lengths. Practice them! It’s okay to use notes, but stay within your designated time. The article “How to Create Your Memorable Elevator Pitch” offers some great pointers. Also, keep your business cards handy. Talk to attendees afterward. The key to networking is to show up regularly at the meetings.

Get your name out there. Set up a resume/cover letter on LinkedIn. Post a bio on me. Register your business on Goodreads editor and author groups. Look up author groups on Facebook, and if a group has an Editors file (check in the Files section, listed under the group’s home page photo), list your services. Include your tagline, and try to make your listing stand out by noting areas where you offer a competitive edge. In addition, join the groups and comment on authors’ posts. Providing helpful tips will get you noticed more than openly promoting your business will.

Ask satisfied clients for testimonials and referrals. Don’t limit requests for testimonials to major or paid projects only. Every editing job counts! Ask your authors to refer you to their writer friends, colleagues, and within their professional organizations. Be specific: ask that they recommend you when another author posts in a group page (typically on Facebook or Yahoo) that he or she is looking for an editor.

Join editor organizations such as the Christian PEN, the Editorial Freelancers Association, com, the Council of Science Editors, Copyediting-L, or one of the many others. You don’t have to join them all, but pick one or two that suit your business, and note these groups on your website, LinkedIn, and other listings. Also, join an editors’ group or two on Facebook, such as Christian Indie Editing Services or EAE Backroom. These organizations and groups offer valuable support to editors and provide a professional backdrop to your business.

Above all, deliver an incredible editing experience to your clients. Nothing will propel your freelance business to the next level faster than authors who can’t wait to say what an incredible editor they have.

—

Dori Harrell edits full time. As an editor, she releases more than twenty-five books annually. Her client list includes indie authors, best-selling writers, and publishers. An award-winning writer, she’s published more than 1,000 articles between her journalism career and freelance writing. She built and maintains her freelance editing business using the methods she noted in this blog post.

Filed Under: editing Tagged With: Dori Harrell

Search & Destroy: 7 Ways to Save Your Copy

February 8, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

15343154939_c2d279612f_zEveryone has their favorite words. You have a friend that thinks everything is awesome or a sister who always wants to know, ‘does that make sense?’ It doesn’t matter how well-educated you are, how much you write, or how often you sit at a keyboard – everyone has a favorite word (or words). Those words may not be noticeable when you speak, but they’ll jump off the page. Those pet words can bog down your writing, especially copy, when your word count is limited.

When it’s time to clean up your copy, go to your word processor’s ‘Find’ function and look for those favorites. Here are a few words to look for, as well as ways to see how often a certain word appears.

  1. Just: This word is used in several ways, and most of those times it can be replaced with a more descriptive – and powerful – word. I was just walking down the street doesn’t offer much detail. Last week I walked down the street shows you exactly how long ago.
  2.  Very: She was very late. If you grew up in my family, that would mean fifteen minutes. If you grew up in my husband’s family, that could mean two hours. Instead, be specific: She was forty-five minutes late.
  3. Really: Similar to very, it’s a superlative but unquantifiable. How far is really far? How smart is really smart? If you don’t know, leave it out. It’s enough to tell people you’re qualified. Telling them you’re really qualified doesn’t add anything.
  4. That*: This word is a qualifier – its specifies a specific section, person, or thing. It’s often used when it’s not needed (e.g. I know that it is wrong can be written I know it is wrong). It would take a whole English lesson to explain the hows and whys, so I’m asking you to trust me. Find it. Read it out loud. Figure out if you really need it. *Some people have decided that ‘that’ should never be used and are therefore eliminating them all from their writing. Resist the temptation.
  5. Tricky Words: if you always confuse affect/effect, there/they’re/their, or lightening/lightning, find those words. Make sure you’re using the correct form properly.
  6. Read It Out Loud: What looks good on paper to you may actually be a tongue twister. Reader your copy out loud to see how it sounds (not how you think it sounds). You’ll discover more pet words that way.
  7. Find & Highlight: Not convinced that pet words are a problem? Use the ‘find’ feature on your word document and selection the option to highlight. This will provide a visual as to how many times a words actually appears. (Bonus Tip: if you have ‘and’ three or more times in a sentence, it’s time to make new sentences).

By eliminating pet words, you make room for stronger, more descriptive words that will better help potential clients know who you are and what you’re offering. Don’t hope someone knows what you mean when you say you’re really talented and are just a very hard worker – show them exactly what you mean.

*Photo credit

Filed Under: copywriting Tagged With: copy writing, freelance, web copy

Editor Interview: Erin Brown

February 1, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Today, editor Erin Brown is joining us at Write Now Editing. Erin runs The Write Editor – her editing and proofreading business – and Frontline Editing Institute, where she offers training manuals for aspiring copy editors and writers.

When did you start writing/editing professionally? I launched The Write Editor in May 2001 and Frontline Editing Institute is scheduled to launch February 2016.

Why did you want to be a freelance writer/editor? Several life experiences steered me toward the editing profession. I homeschooled my seven children for a total of twenty-six years, which allowed me to hone my reading, writing, and grammar skills. About six years before my last child graduated, a friend who writes curriculum for MacMillan Publishing asked if I would do research for the elementary reading program she was writing. One thing led to another and she introduced me to the idea of editing. I looked into it then signed up for and completed an editing program of several courses. After successfully completing the program, I designed my website and began marketing my business. I’ve been professionally editing and proofreading ever since.

What’s your specialty/focus? Why/how did you pick this? My specialty is general nonfiction. It chose me, actually. Two of my first steady clients/publishers published mainly nonfiction titles, so I cut my editing teeth on nonfiction, which includes many elements not found in fiction (footnotes, graphics, appendices, notes, and the like).

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work? I’ve always enjoyed learning new things, but I have a tendency to read for pleasure in only one or two genres. Editing nonfiction and fiction forces me out of my niche and into a wide variety of topics. I enjoy working with writers, especially new authors, because I tap into my inner teacher and mentor. Serious writers are like sponges, soaking up and applying principles I share with them. I have a handful of clients whom I’ve come to consider special friends.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome during your career? I love my job—actually it’s not so much a job as a passion. I feel very blessed that I earn a living by doing what I love. The biggest challenge is saying no to a project. In my almost sixteen-year career, I’ve turned down three projects (and I can remember each one!).

The last project I turned down was a manuscript by a Big Name Hollywood movie actor. I hadn’t had a vacation in over a decade, and I was one day away from leaving for Chicago to visit family when I received the request to work on the manuscript. I had promised myself and my family that I would not bring any work with me. When they learned who I had turned down, they were incredulous and realized how much I needed the break. Whenever I see the book advertised, I think, “That could’ve been my project.” But I did need to disconnect from work for a time, so I have no regrets in turning down the project.

What’s surprised you the most during your career? How much I love editing, how long I’ve been doing it, and that I see myself doing this for many more years.

If you could give a new freelance writer/editor one piece of advice, what would it be? Never stop learning about the craft and the industry. Continuing education is part of the job. Read from a variety of genres. If certain authors touch something deep within you, study their techniques, word choices, etc., so you can increase and hone your skills. Be mindful of trends in the industry.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be? I would’ve started earlier than I did.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why? Generally, nonfiction, but more specifically I enjoy working on memoirs. Authors of memoirs are brave in opening themselves, usually a painful part of their pasts, to strangers. They willingly make themselves vulnerable to help others through their trials. I have been touched by not only their heartbreaks but also their victories over their challenges.

What does your work space/office look like? My antique desk (there’s a whole story behind my desk and how I came to possess it!) is situated in front of a large picture window, allowing me to keep my eye out for the deer herd that follows their ancient path that runs through my property. Along the wall to my left I have a credenza on which my printer, second computer, and paper “station” sit, and two filing cabinets fill up the remaining wall space. Against the back wall stands my bookshelf and a couple of wall shelves. It’s a compact setting, but I have sufficient space to comfortably work for hours.

What is your go-to snack when working? Red seedless grapes! They are cold, sweet, and juicy. After eating a handful I feel physically refreshed and satisfied.

Excluding the CMOS (that’s a given) what one editing resource would you recommend? Why? I’d have to choose Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition because the publishers I work for require that dictionary for spelling and word division. I also use it when editing for individual clients.

If you could only recommend one writing resource, what would it be? Why? That’s a tough question! I guess I’d recommend finding a successful and seasoned author to be your mentor. Listen to him or her, ask questions, follow his or her advice, and do everything you’re told to do.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? I invite you to stop by The Write Editor and Frontline Editing Institute to help you on your journey to publication!

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog! Have a blessed day!

Do you have any questions or comments for Erin? Please let us know!

Filed Under: editing Tagged With: Erin K. Brown

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ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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