How long should an edit take?

[emajinerie]

I wrote my second story and sent it to the editor I had used for part one on Nov. 15th. After 5 days I sent her a mail asking for an update. She had edited my first story so quickly I had greater expectations then. She said she was busy and would get to it that week. After another 5 days she sent me another mail saying that she hadn't forgotten about me and would get to it soon. So that was Nov. 25th. I waited another 6 days but gave up and looked for another editor.

I tried one but after 3 days never got a response. On Dec. 4th I found a new editor willing to read my story and sent it off. So here it is 5 days after sending my story (apparently 5 days is when I get really frustrated) and still nothing. I understand it hasn't been too long for my newest editor but I wrote my story almost a month ago and I'm just wondering if this is common or if there's anything I can do to make this process easier.

Basically:

-If I'm looking for an editor, should I just hit up a bunch of them and send my story to whoever answers first?

-If not, how long should I wait for a response from a prospective editor?

-How long should I expect to wait for an edit? I know there are many stories on this site and few editors, so I don't want to be demanding. I'm just curious how long the process normally takes.

-Are emails asking for an update considered bad form?

Maybe I'm alone in this, I don't know. I hate to sound an impatient brat, the thing is I just started writing and was amazed how many good reviews I received so I'm excited to get my next story out.

-emajinerie

 

[LadyCibelle]

I wrote my second story and sent it to the editor I had used for part one on Nov. 15th. After 5 days I sent her a mail asking for an update. She had edited my first story so quickly I had greater expectations then. She said she was busy and would get to it that week. After another 5 days she sent me another mail saying that she hadn't forgotten about me and would get to it soon. So that was Nov. 25th. I waited another 6 days but gave up and looked for another editor.

I tried one but after 3 days never got a response. On Dec. 4th I found a new editor willing to read my story and sent it off. So here it is 5 days after sending my story (apparently 5 days is when I get really frustrated) and still nothing. I understand it hasn't been too long for my newest editor but I wrote my story almost a month ago and I'm just wondering if this is common or if there's anything I can do to make this process easier.

Basically:

-If I'm looking for an editor, should I just hit up a bunch of them and send my story to whoever answers first?

That's something you definitely CAN do but keep in mind that too many chefs ruins the pudding.

-If not, how long should I wait for a response from a prospective editor?

What I would recommend is ask them upfront what are their turnaround times...that way you don't get any bad surprises and you know from the start where you stand.

-How long should I expect to wait for an edit? I know there are many stories on this site and few editors, so I don't want to be demanding. I'm just curious how long the process normally takes.

Once again it depends on the turnaround time of the editor. In my case, being overloaded with requests, I tell them upfront that it can take as long as 10-14 days for me to get their story back to them edited. Some editors are quicker depending on their workload. Once again I emphasize...ASK upfront what are their waiting period.

-Are emails asking for an update considered bad form?

Absolutely NOT! There is nothing wrong in you asking for an update after a while on where your story is and how the editing is going if you think it's taking too long. That's why I overemphasize again...ask, ask, ask, ask upfront what the editor's waiting period is...that way you'll know where you stand from the start.

Maybe I'm alone in this, I don't know. I hate to sound an impatient brat, the thing is I just started writing and was amazed how many good reviews I received so I'm excited to get my next story out.

-emajinerie

Nope, you don't sound like an impatient brat, not after more than a month waiting. I guess I could say you've been unlucky but it wouldn't be a great consolation to you. You're not alone in this, I can assure you. If you only knew the number of writers who come to me with similar complaints...it's not even funny.

 

[BigDick8870]

You can send the story to me if you haven't already gotten the story edited as you would like it.

My best turnaround was 4 hours, mostly cause I happened to be reading my email when it came in and I had some time to edit and return it.

My normal turnaround is 5-7 days. When it gets to around 4-5 days, I try to email the person who sent me their story and tell them I am indeed working on it.

From the sounds of it, I don't have the workload that LadyCibelle has in terms of editing so in the future if you want me to edit something for you, feel free to PM me.

 

[BeachGurl2]

I've basically found myself in the same boat. I've even sent a PM asking for an update and telling my editor that I don't mind finding someone else if she's too swamped right now, but I've gotten no replies whatsoever. I understand that people are busy, and I don't want to be pushy about it. I appreciate having someone help me out by editing it for me.

So I guess my question is: at this point, 7 days with no response whatsoever, not even to let me know my story was received, is it bad form to find someone else?

 

[LadyCibelle]

I've basically found myself in the same boat. I've even sent a PM asking for an update and telling my editor that I don't mind finding someone else if she's too swamped right now, but I've gotten no replies whatsoever. I understand that people are busy, and I don't want to be pushy about it. I appreciate having someone help me out by editing it for me.

So I guess my question is: at this point, 7 days with no response whatsoever, not even to let me know my story was received, is it bad form to find someone else?

No my dear, if you have done everything in your power to contact your editor and didn't get any replies.....absolutely NOT bad form or uncalled for to look for another editor. I'll go even a step further and recommend you to send a PM complaint to Laurel about said editor.

SHE has the power to see if said editor is still on the market to edit and remove his/her profile if not.

Good luck.
LC

 

[BeachGurl2]

No my dear, if you have done everything in your power to contact your editor and didn't get any replies.....absolutely NOT bad form or uncalled for to look for another editor. I'll go even a step further and recommend you to send a PM complaint to Laurel about said editor.

SHE has the power to see if said editor is still on the market to edit and remove his/her profile if not.

Good luck.
LC

Thank you, LC. I'll do that.