Editor Asks Something of Writers

[AsylumSeeker]

I return a "Story received" email after receiving a story so the handshake is complete. So the writer knows the editor is in possession of their story.

Writers are not good about returning the favor. Handshaking is important. Vital, even.

How difficult is it to "Reply" and say "Got it" ????

I have also returned stories with no acknowledgement, and am still seeking same with a few.

For those who are complaining about not hearing from editors, less bitching and more being proactive. Email them. Just my thought.

 

[sr71plt]

I return a "Story received" email after receiving a story so the handshake is complete. So the writer knows the editor is in possession of their story.

Writers are not good about returning the favor. Handshaking is important. Vital, even.

How difficult is it to "Reply" and say "Got it" ????

I have also returned stories with no acknowledgement, and am still seeking same with a few.

For those who are complaining about not hearing from editors, less bitching and more being proactive. Email them. Just my thought.

In editing books in the mainstream, I've found that both publishers and authors are more likely to pin work transmission down with a simple "received" response than not--even when such a reply is requested. I've seen (and experienced) a few disasters when someone thought they sent something and the "recepient" supposedly was working on--and the receipient had no idea anything had been (mis)sent. Those who don't pin down the completion of a transmission aren't thinking too clearly.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

In editing books in the mainstream, I've found that both publishers and authors are more likely to pin work transmission down with a simple "received" response than not--even when such a reply is requested. I've seen (and experienced) a few disasters when someone thought they sent something and the "recepient" supposedly was working on--and the receipient had no idea anything had been (mis)sent. Those who don't pin down the completion of a transmission aren't thinking too clearly.

I'm surprised someone hasn't replied that the rules are covered in a sticky - but who the heck reads stickies? I know, I know, everyone should read the "stickies" before doing anything else, and check into the "Watercooler", but the fact is, nobody does. This is the thorn in my side that got me into an ugly argument with LadyC. I still love her, even though I'm slime and dead to her, but this is okay.

Despite this day and age of instant messaging, not all messages reach the intended recipient. I've noticed some emails, despite the fact that I've emailed them, end up in the JUNK bin. And mine may have also as well.

We editors volunteer hours out of our lives to help YOU, so do the decent thing and let us know the story is received. Not asking for much, just confirmation.

 

[_Lynn_]

I return a "Story received" email after receiving a story so the handshake is complete. So the writer knows the editor is in possession of their story.

Writers are not good about returning the favor. Handshaking is important. Vital, even.

How difficult is it to "Reply" and say "Got it" ????

I have also returned stories with no acknowledgement, and am still seeking same with a few.

For those who are complaining about not hearing from editors, less bitching and more being proactive. Email them. Just my thought.

It's a two-way street, but not everyone is the same. Some people are more courteous in 'real life' and carry that over in online communication. Setting the parameters right from the beginning when you edit for someone can eliminate the problem too.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm surprised someone hasn't replied that the rules are covered in a sticky - but who the heck reads stickies? I know, I know, everyone should read the "stickies" before doing anything else, and check into the "Watercooler", but the fact is, nobody does. This is the thorn in my side that got me into an ugly argument with LadyC. I still love her, even though I'm slime and dead to her, but this is okay.

I don't see why anyone would read the "stickies" compiled here, with most of what I see being URLs for confusing Web sites put together by the untrained.

Again, just about all you need in writing or editing fiction in the U.S. market are the latest copies of the Chicago Manual of Style and Webster's Collegiate dictionary. Why make the simple unnecessarily complicated?

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I can't speak intelligently about links. I was referring to the sticky about writers giving their editors more "love", essentially. I believe it was authored by Snooper, and I am in total agreement. It talked about communication, for one.

I don't like loose ends. I'll edit for free and send it along, all I ask is a simple confirmation email that it was received so I can clear it from my mind. But this doesn't always happen, and this is what I was complaining about. Most are good about this, but I have stories in a folder that I can't move to the OLD folder until this loose string is cut.

 

[emap]

I'm bad about that, I get an edited story back and I instantly copy out the edited version overwriting my original version and post it to literotica. Snoopy and I had a discussion about it, I think he simply watches my profile now.

Course snoopy is I think not caring one way or the other if I get it, he's just happy to get rid of it.

He also doesn't want me posting who edited my drivel, he swears because some people don't use his suggestions and credit him anyway but I'm sure it's more cause it's my stories.

Thank you emails are one of those make it clear at the beginning and gentle nudges along the way. Not everybody thinks about it and some don't really give a rats butt anyway.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I'm bad about that, I get an edited story back and I instantly copy out the edited version overwriting my original version and post it to literotica. Snoopy and I had a discussion about it, I think he simply watches my profile now.

Course snoopy is I think not caring one way or the other if I get it, he's just happy to get rid of it.

He also doesn't want me posting who edited my drivel, he swears because some people don't use his suggestions and credit him anyway but I'm sure it's more cause it's my stories.

Thank you emails are one of those make it clear at the beginning and gentle nudges along the way. Not everybody thinks about it and some don't really give a rats butt anyway.

It's not so much as a thank-you I'm looking for, although given I've taken the time to edit that's appreciated, but just a "Hey, got it" would be nice. I give regular updates to stories I'm editing or are in line so the writres know where they stand, how hard is it to hit the REPLY button just to say they got it?

This won't change anything, I was just venting my frustration. Maybe I will make this "part of the deal" in the future - you know, yeah I'll edit, as long as...

 

[CloudsSip]

Grinning, the Writer decides to Just Do It. She goes to the Volunteer Editors program pages, carefully reads rules, tips, nodding to herself. She starts reading editors' ads, and with care selects one - he or she has interests in her kinks, appreciates the language, has a sense of humor, seems business-like. She drafts then revises her request for an editor, re-checks this editors contact preferences, and sends it off.

During the next few hours she formats her story to their preference, revises a paragraph and rechecks her email. "Patience, grasshopper" she mutters, laughing at herself, her enthusiasm now that she has taken this plunge.

Over the next few days she checks her email, devising a filter to flag responses, makes sure nothing wandered into spam folders. She rechecks the copy she sent to herself; it looks okay...

After 10 days, she sighs, then again reviews the Volunteer Editor program pages, even more carefully picks one, drafts a request, send it off, then deliberatelyignores her email for 2 days. Then checks every few days. De nada.

These guys had updated their editor profile very recently. I KNOW my request was polite, clear, consise. I think my writing is pretty good, at least the fans who keep asking me for more stories for the last few years give me that impression. No response back. That was about 6 months ago.

So - I am not saying douchebag volunteers justify anything. I'd like them to know, they burn people's enthusiasm; that's beyond rude. And I just want an editor, still. Advice welcome.

___
I write, and edit. Frequently my subject area is BDSM. I hope for more than a grammar checker. I write short stories, serials, essays and poetry; I won't share the latter two genre without consent.

 

[_Lynn_]

Grinning, the Writer decides to Just Do It. She goes to the Volunteer Editors program pages, carefully reads rules, tips, nodding to herself. She starts reading editors' ads, and with care selects one - he or she has interests in her kinks, appreciates the language, has a sense of humor, seems business-like. She drafts then revises her request for an editor, re-checks this editors contact preferences, and sends it off.

During the next few hours she formats her story to their preference, revises a paragraph and rechecks her email. "Patience, grasshopper" she mutters, laughing at herself, her enthusiasm now that she has taken this plunge.

Over the next few days she checks her email, devising a filter to flag responses, makes sure nothing wandered into spam folders. She rechecks the copy she sent to herself; it looks okay...

After 10 days, she sighs, then again reviews the Volunteer Editor program pages, even more carefully picks one, drafts a request, send it off, then deliberatelyignores her email for 2 days. Then checks every few days. De nada.

These guys had updated their editor profile very recently. I KNOW my request was polite, clear, consise. I think my writing is pretty good, at least the fans who keep asking me for more stories for the last few years give me that impression. No response back. That was about 6 months ago.

So - I am not saying douchebag volunteers justify anything. I'd like them to know, they burn people's enthusiasm; that's beyond rude. And I just want an editor, still. Advice welcome.

___
I write, and edit. Frequently my subject area is BDSM. I hope for more than a grammar checker. I write short stories, serials, essays and poetry; I won't share the latter two genre without consent.

Ignore the VE list. It's outdated, and worthless.

1. Start a thread here in the EF stating what you're looking for from an editor. Give genre, word count, and any other pertinent information.

2. Or go to the thread here in the EF marked something like available editors for the month of . . . Look for someone who posted there, and send them a PM. Again state the information they would need.

Be sure your PM's are on.

 

[sr71plt]

CloudSip DOES have a (very, very) good point, though, I think. This politeness goes both ways. And it's hardly the writer's fault for believing that a posted program actually works as claimed--or it should have been taken off the Web site. "You have to just ignore what the system says it does" isn't a particularly good thing for an editor to have to acknowledge.

 

[_Lynn_]

CloudSip DOES have a (very, very) good point, though, I think. This politeness goes both ways. And it's hardly the writer's fault for believing that a posted program actually works as claimed--or it should have been taken off the Web site. "You have to just ignore what the system says it does" isn't a particularly good thing for an editor to have to acknowledge.

You're right. As long as that list is there, authors will hunt for editors on it, and lose their enthusiasm when they get no replies.

The best I can offer is to give them other options.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

New Thought

You're right. As long as that list is there, authors will hunt for editors on it, and lose their enthusiasm when they get no replies.

The best I can offer is to give them other options.

Perhaps instead of an EDITOR LIST there should be an EDITOR REQUEST LIST so us "unlisted" editors can circle like vultures to pick off the one(s) we can handle. Fantasizing now, but they can complete a "form" such as cat, length, time frame, etc. so there's or asking or guessing. And when an editor agrees the request is "hidden" to prevent duplicate offers. Yes, in a perfect world.

 

[_Lynn_]

Perhaps instead of an EDITOR LIST there should be an EDITOR REQUEST LIST so us "unlisted" editors can circle like vultures to pick off the one(s) we can handle. Fantasizing now, but they can complete a "form" such as cat, length, time frame, etc. so there's or asking or guessing. And when an editor agrees the request is "hidden" to prevent duplicate offers. Yes, in a perfect world.

Or I could take the old editors list and weed through it, sort names by last dates posted on Lit, message them all, and delete those not replying within a specific time. Then draw up a new list, and make a 'rule' that editors must confirm every six months to remain on the list.

In a perfect world, I would have time for that . . .

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

I'm bad about that, I get an edited story back and I instantly copy out the edited version overwriting my original version and post it to literotica. Snoopy and I had a discussion about it, I think he simply watches my profile now.

No - I never look at your profile, and never check on postings. The risk of doing it your way is that the suggestions which I don't plug in (such as "I thought he left the room three paragraphs ago?") don't get through, and so those errors are perpetuated

Course snoopy is I think not caring one way or the other if I get it, he's just happy to get rid of it.

I have long since ceased to expect authors to acknowledge receipt of edits. And yes, I am pleased to finish an edit, just as I am pleased to finish a story or novel.

He also doesn't want me posting who edited my drivel, he swears because some people don't use his suggestions and credit him anyway but I'm sure it's more cause it's my stories.

Actually the published reason is: I find it leads to unsolicited manuscripts arriving, closely followed by demands to know why they have not been edited.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Perhaps instead of an EDITOR LIST there should be an EDITOR REQUEST LIST so us "unlisted" editors can circle like vultures to pick off the one(s) we can handle. ...

On SOL they have an Editor Wanted list, with requests dropping off by author action or time expiry.

... Then ... make a 'rule' that editors must confirm every six months to remain on the list. ...

On SOL they check editor availability every month when any listed editor logs on. Not logging on for a while (I don't know how long) drops you to "not available now" status.

 

[butters]

I really don't think the OP is asking too much - a confirmation e-mail in return for all the hard work that's been put into a decent edit. To be honest, if I spent time editing a work and a simple one-worded thankyou or even a smiley face acknowledging receipt of it were not forthcoming, I'd not edit anymore work from that person.

As for the other issues, obviously the system needs something of a makeover: the 'sushi-bar' appeal of Asylum Seeker's suggestion sounds like it has its merits. What's needed is a highly visual representation of it, though, so it's immediately clear which stories are still on the conveyor belt, their genres, and which are in the process of being consumed and digested.

Anyone good with graphics?

 

[LitRiter]

Or I could take the old editors list and weed through it, sort names by last dates posted on Lit, message them all, and delete those not replying within a specific time. Then draw up a new list, and make a 'rule' that editors must confirm every six months to remain on the list.

In a perfect world, I would have time for that . . .

LOL!

My mouth was hanging wide open before I got to the perfect world line...

Made me smile big

 

[wanderwonder]

Again, just about all you need in writing or editing fiction in the U.S. market are the latest copies of the Chicago Manual of Style and Webster's Collegiate dictionary. Why make the simple unnecessarily complicated?

In 2007 five of Japan's bestselling fiction books were composed on mobile phones. Sure, the phones over here make American mobiles look prehistoric. Still…

I do agree that both authors and editors are responsible for maintaining a certain level of courtesy if not professionalism. The Find an Editor function is one that desperately needs retooling. Literotica has made a lot of improvements for readers and authors alike during the past few months. The volunteer editor service does need some pruning.

 

[_Lynn_]

LOL!

My mouth was hanging wide open before I got to the perfect world line...

Made me smile big

Smiles are good.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Smiles are good.

Yes, her heart is made of gold. Hi ML.

 

[_Lynn_]

Yes, her heart is made of gold. Hi ML.

awww thanks AS.