Editor bait?

[spankmytentacle]

I had a great editor for my first two stories, then I took a break. The break turned into (ahem) several years. By the time I came back, my editor had disappeared.

I'd really like to find another editor to work with. What do you usually send an editor when you try to contact them? Story synopsis, first few paragraphs, the first page, a part from the middle? What works best as "bait" to attract the wily editor?

I am willing to learn.

(For legal reasons this is a joke.)

 

[onehitwanda]

A large stack of unmarked, non-sequential £20 notes usually works, or so I've heard.

 

[spankmytentacle]

A large stack of unmarked, non-sequential £20 notes usually works, or so I've heard.

Thank god there are other people here who have a sense of humor. I couldn't make it through the day without mine.

 

[dirk2024]

That sheep is a good start.


Most true editors are going to look to get paid for a complete edit job as its quite labor intensive. Perhaps a beta-reader might work for you. Beta readers don't get involved in the nitty gritty technical stuff, rather give you their impression of the overall story, identify weak points in the plot, point out anything overly outlandish.

As far as the "how" in concerned, that would be up to you and your reader. I would think most would want to read the whole story, depending on how long it is. Since they are volunteering their time, most would be leery about spending many hours reading when they have their own stories to write. You could email them a Word or Google document. I use Elipsis, which is a free software that allows secure sharing and offers the ability to comment on specific sections of your story.

From what I've seen here, most beta arrangements are with like minded authors where its an "I'll do yours if you'll do mine" sort of thing. Establishing relationships helps.

 

[YmaOHyd]

That sheep is a good start.

Only if you want one from the west of England.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Thank god there are other people here who have a sense of humor. I couldn't make it through the day without mine.

@onehitwanda is blkessed to excess in the sense of humor department, loves to share with us mere mortals.

I had a great editor for my first two stories, then I took a break. The break turned into (ahem) several years. By the time I came back, my editor had disappeared.

I'd really like to find another editor to work with. What do you usually send an editor when you try to contact them? Story synopsis, first few paragraphs, the first page, a part from the middle? What works best as "bait" to attract the wily editor?

I am willing to learn.
View attachment 2584272
(For legal reasons this is a joke.)

 

[Writer61]

I heard that a Welsh farmer chose Ewe 2 on Blind Date.

 

[YmaOHyd]

I heard that a Welsh farmer chose Ewe 2 on Blind Date.

I find that offensive and so does my stepsister Flossie.

 

[Writer61]

I find that offensive and so does my stepsister Flossie.

Your sense of humour is appreciated. Please accept my ability to pronounce the full name of LlanfairPG as a tribute.

 

[NuclearFairy]

I find that offensive and so does my stepsister Flossie.

Your stepdad is a ram? Is he very horny?

 

[Writer61]

Woold you believe it? This thread went sideways quickly. Probably knit surprising.

 

[RocketGrunt]

Only if you want one from the west of England.

If you're willing to go far enough, everything is to the west of England.

 

[Writer61]

If you're willing to go far enough, everything is to the west of England.

I have flown around the world twice, but both times west-east so I cannot confirm your preposterous theory.

 

[spankmytentacle]

That sheep is a good start.


Most true editors are going to look to get paid for a complete edit job as its quite labor intensive. Perhaps a beta-reader might work for you. Beta readers don't get involved in the nitty gritty technical stuff, rather give you their impression of the overall story, identify weak points in the plot, point out anything overly outlandish.

As far as the "how" in concerned, that would be up to you and your reader. I would think most would want to read the whole story, depending on how long it is. Since they are volunteering their time, most would be leery about spending many hours reading when they have their own stories to write. You could email them a Word or Google document. I use Elipsis, which is a free software that allows secure sharing and offers the ability to comment on specific sections of your story.

From what I've seen here, most beta arrangements are with like minded authors where its an "I'll do yours if you'll do mine" sort of thing. Establishing relationships helps.

Thanks, that's good advice about looking for a beta reader. I'll try that. (I'll send the sheep home.)

 

[StillStunned]

She looks so much like my ex girlfriend, it's uncanny! (We broke up because I wasn't dominant enough. She wanted someone who'd bark orders at her.)

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

She looks so much like my ex girlfriend, it's uncanny! (We broke up because I wasn't dominant enough. She wanted someone who'd bark orders at her.)

She needed a baa-a-a-d boy.

Sorry.

 

[Bazzle]

Only if you want one from the west of England.

Or Wales, they love their sheep in Wales.

 

[TheLobster]

*opens the thread*

Well, at least the ‘bait’ in the title was accurate…

 

[StillStunned]

*opens the thread*

Well, at least the ‘bait’ in the title was accurate…

With that sheep pic, some people might prefer 'bate.

No, I really can't post that.

 

[TheLobster]

With that sheep pic, some people might prefer 'bate.

No, I really can't post that.

Why not? Is it wrong to debate sheep?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Only if you want one from the west of England.

Or New Zealand...