Ground Rules for Seeking an Editor

[anoche]

Greetings,

I am a new member but long time reader on this site and hopeful author wishing to submit a story for the first time. I was hoping to get some suggestions and opinions from a few of the editors as what you feel are the ground rules for the author/editor relationship. This particular story is straight forward M/F and hopefully the motif, atmosphere and humor contribute to the eroticism as much as any of the physical acts. As far as future stories and categories, who knows? I find the many fine writers here are expanding my fantasy spectrum.

As you consider my questions keep in mind that I have read the official guidelines as well as Muffin's sticky (hmm, interesting juxtaposition) as well as several threads here before asking them. Since I have not submitted work here or anywhere else (unless you count that free thing the University put out once a year that I think only a handful of English majors actually looked at) previously, I feel I would definitely benefit from an editor's expertise. Here goes:

1. I have gone through a great many of the profiles and selected seven (realizing that there are potentially many more) that I think might be a good fit for this story. I realize there may not be a consensus opinion but is it acceptable to make inquiries to all simultaneously and choose from those that reply or would that frost your collective ass?

2. The official response time from the site says 48 to 72 hours. Realizing that you all have lives, if I go the one at a time route how long should I give it realistically for a reply before going for the next one?

3. Would I be better off just requesting assistance in the forum than going through the list as it is not evident there who is active or how busy they might be?

4. If I do work with an editor, would it be offensive to afterward seek a second opinion (and acknowledging the contributions of both) before submitting?

5. Any other words of wisdom on the topic?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Best regards,

anoche

 

[tallguy220@hotm]

Looking for an editor?

Greetings,

I am a new member but long time reader on this site and hopeful author wishing to submit a story for the first time. I was hoping to get some suggestions and opinions from a few of the editors as what you feel are the ground rules for the author/editor relationship. This particular story is straight forward M/F and hopefully the motif, atmosphere and humor contribute to the eroticism as much as any of the physical acts. As far as future stories and categories, who knows? I find the many fine writers here are expanding my fantasy spectrum.

As you consider my questions keep in mind that I have read the official guidelines as well as Muffin's sticky (hmm, interesting juxtaposition) as well as several threads here before asking them. Since I have not submitted work here or anywhere else (unless you count that free thing the University put out once a year that I think only a handful of English majors actually looked at) previously, I feel I would definitely benefit from an editor's expertise. Here goes:

1. I have gone through a great many of the profiles and selected seven (realizing that there are potentially many more) that I think might be a good fit for this story. I realize there may not be a consensus opinion but is it acceptable to make inquiries to all simultaneously and choose from those that reply or would that frost your collective ass?

2. The official response time from the site says 48 to 72 hours. Realizing that you all have lives, if I go the one at a time route how long should I give it realistically for a reply before going for the next one?

3. Would I be better off just requesting assistance in the forum than going through the list as it is not evident there who is active or how busy they might be?

4. If I do work with an editor, would it be offensive to afterward seek a second opinion (and acknowledging the contributions of both) before submitting?

5. Any other words of wisdom on the topic?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Best regards,

anoche

Greetings, anoche,

Please check your pms. tg

 

[snooper]

...
1. ... is it acceptable to make inquiries to all simultaneously ...?
...

It should be.

...
2. The official response time from the site says 48 to 72 hours. Realizing that you all have lives, if I go the one at a time route how long should I give it realistically for a reply before going for the next one?...

Realistically - a week; longer over holiday periods.

...
3. Would I be better off just requesting assistance in the forum than going through the list as it is not evident there who is active or how busy they might be?

Yes - but the VA list comes up in order of date the editor last updated his/her file (most recent first).

...
4. If I do work with an editor, would it be offensive to afterward seek a second opinion (and acknowledging the contributions of both) before submitting?

It shouldn't be.

...
5. Any other words of wisdom on the topic?

No.

 

[SweetErika]

1. I have gone through a great many of the profiles and selected seven (realizing that there are potentially many more) that I think might be a good fit for this story. I realize there may not be a consensus opinion but is it acceptable to make inquiries to all simultaneously and choose from those that reply or would that frost your collective ass?

I'd appreciate it if an author who was making several inquiries simultaneously let me know that with something like:
I'm seeking an editor for a ___ word, fairly straightforward M/F story, and thought you might be a good match. However, because I wasn't sure which editors on the list were available, I've sent inquiries to several in hopes of finding a couple for this and future pieces. Are you available and interested? If so, I'd love to talk to you more!

That would also let me know a detailed response isn't required at the time.

2. The official response time from the site says 48 to 72 hours. Realizing that you all have lives, if I go the one at a time route how long should I give it realistically for a reply before going for the next one?

I think 48-72 hours is a reasonable time to wait. If I have access to email, I always get back to people in that amount of time because I know that's what expected of me. I shoot for 48, but if I'm gone, it might be 72. If someone doesn't hear from me in three days, I expect them to move on, unless we're talking about major holidays or something where everyone's likely to be gone.

3. Would I be better off just requesting assistance in the forum than going through the list as it is not evident there who is active or how busy they might be?

If you need this done quickly, probably so. I would try the simultaneous email first, then use the forum as my back-up, personally.

4. If I do work with an editor, would it be offensive to afterward seek a second opinion (and acknowledging the contributions of both) before submitting?

Not for me, but I can see where it could be, so I'd tell both you're planning on using two editors consecutively and both will receive credit just to ensure there are no hurt feelings. I'd also suggest saying you'd like two different perspectives, rather than you're planning on getting a 'second opinion' (which might imply you don't have confidence in the first one).

5. Any other words of wisdom on the topic?

No, but I think it's great you're being sensitive to feelings and trying to go about this the right way!

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Anoche

You're doing all the right things, saying all the right words, following all the rules.

I'm a decent editor but a better writer and (professionally) I'm a good adult educator. I can edit well enough to have a story accepted that is in good form, but I can also assist (and enjoy assisting) in the development of a story. I have helped other new writers who have attained new heights.

I have offered assistance to others on the forum this evening, but I am willing to help if you think my assistance may be of value. That choice is yours.

AS