Literotica "Editors"

[MsPeachPit]

I've been going through the Editors list here looking for someone to give a new story of mine a going over before publishing. I want to know beforehand the level of editing skill of folks offering their services so I've checked out their own stories. Well, I was horrified to discover that most of these people are themselves in desperate need of not only a good editor but basic linguistic/literary skills. Typos and misspellings abound, syntax is dreadful, punctuation ridiculously lacking or improperly used and on and on and on.

I realize that Lit can't vet these people and I wouldn't expect it. But I wonder what these people are thinking when they imagine they have the cred and experience to edit the work of others. Or even proof read it. I would ask anyone who frames themselves as an editor here to do some honest self-evaluation before offering your services otherwise you are wasting everyone's time.

 

[dirk2024]

I've been going through the Editors list here looking for someone to give a new story of mine a going over before publishing. I want to know beforehand the level of editing skill of folks offering their services so I've checked out their own stories. Well, I was horrified to discover that most of these people are themselves in desperate need of not only a good editor but basic linguistic/literary skills. Typos and misspellings abound, syntax is dreadful, punctuation ridiculously lacking or improperly used and on and on and on.

I realize that Lit can't vet these people and I wouldn't expect it. But I wonder what these people are thinking when they imagine they have the cred and experience to edit the work of others. Or even proof read it. I would ask anyone who frames themselves as an editor here to do some honest self-evaluation before offering your services otherwise you are wasting everyone's time.

I would offer my services, but in the one story I have published so far, I let a major spelling mistake pass in the first sentence.

 

[AwkwardMD]

I've been going through the Editors list here looking for someone to give a new story of mine a going over before publishing. I want to know beforehand the level of editing skill of folks offering their services so I've checked out their own stories. Well, I was horrified to discover that most of these people are themselves in desperate need of not only a good editor but basic linguistic/literary skills. Typos and misspellings abound, syntax is dreadful, punctuation ridiculously lacking or improperly used and on and on and on.

I realize that Lit can't vet these people and I wouldn't expect it. But I wonder what these people are thinking when they imagine they have the cred and experience to edit the work of others. Or even proof read it. I would ask anyone who frames themselves as an editor here to do some honest self-evaluation before offering your services otherwise you are wasting everyone's time.

I think you are wildly overestimating the skill level of the average new author. To them, the Lit volunteer editors (who are unpaid saints) appear as gods.

 

[StillStunned]

They're volunteers. If they catch even one typo that you overlooked, they've already added value.

In the meantime, take a look at this thread: Self-editing for authors. You might find something useful there.

 

[StillStunned]

I realize that Lit can't vet these people and I wouldn't expect it. But I wonder what these people are thinking when they imagine they have the cred and experience to edit the work of others. Or even proof read it. I would ask anyone who frames themselves as an editor here to do some honest self-evaluation before offering your services otherwise you are wasting everyone's time.

Also, I imagine that many of them are thinking, "You know what, I'd like to help my fellow authors. Perhaps I don't have the skills of a professional editor, but if I did I'd be charging money for it. I'll just do my best and hope the writer appreciates it."

 

[MadeleineSinha]

Yeah but….
Then you get someone who advertises himself by saying

“I am just a guy who likes to read and is big on grammer and spelling. I have edited everything from news articles, and essay's to tech pappers and emails. Send me your story, and I will be glad to help you out.”

And I can see where MsPeachPit is coming from.

If you are offering to be an editor some basic spelling and grammar knowledge is surely a prerequisite.

 

[sinfantasy]

I've been going through the Editors list here looking for someone to give a new story of mine a going over before publishing. I want to know beforehand the level of editing skill of folks offering their services so I've checked out their own stories. Well, I was horrified to discover that most of these people are themselves in desperate need of not only a good editor but basic linguistic/literary skills. Typos and misspellings abound, syntax is dreadful, punctuation ridiculously lacking or improperly used and on and on and on.

I realize that Lit can't vet these people and I wouldn't expect it. But I wonder what these people are thinking when they imagine they have the cred and experience to edit the work of others. Or even proof read it. I would ask anyone who frames themselves as an editor here to do some honest self-evaluation before offering your services otherwise you are wasting everyone's time.

There is a thin line between being blunt and being rude...

Finding an editors that clicks with you is as rare as mutual climax but so what? It doesn't take out the pleasure from the act. Each one of these editors you generalize to be incompetent will teach you something unique.

Also, whats the big deal with few mistakes. No one here is trying for Booker prize. As long as your editor helps you elevate your story a notch, its a win. Even better if you learn something from it and improve your next story.

I have worked with few editors here and while we could not figure out something lasting doesn't mean they didn't help. I also know few editor's who are trying to improve their own skills and trust me there are writers willing to work with them. Everyone gets a matching pair to what they need.

 

[Milo9012]

No matter how you dice up the duties and skills of volunteer editors, in the end, they are devoting their time and trying to help a new author.

Sure, not all v-editors are equal in editing skill or talent, but if you don't like the returned work with the suggested edits or comments you're free to reject them and use another editor or do the proof reading and editing yourself.

The only wrinkle to doing your own editing is you must be critical of your work and look at it with unbiased eyes. It's hard to do, but absolutely necessary to achieve a coherent plot, correctly spelled work, and a story readers will enjoy and reward with stars and comments.

Just my two cents.

 

[bbcbarry9033]

No matter how you dice up the duties and skills of volunteer editors, in the end, they are devoting their time and trying to help a new author.

Sure, not all v-editors are equal in editing skill or talent, but if you don't like the returned work with the suggested edits or comments you're free to reject them and use another editor or do the proof reading and editing yourself.

The only wrinkle to doing your own editing is you must be critical of your work and look at it with unbiased eyes. It's hard to do, but absolutely necessary to achieve a coherent plot, correctly spelled work, and a story readers will enjoy and reward with stars and comments.

Just my two cents.

You're very kind.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Editing, like everything else in life is variable.
A great editor doesn't have to be a great writer... As great coaches may never have made it as players...
Great teachers may have been terrible students.
I have had the incredible good fortune of working with the very best editors available here on Literotica.
I cannot begin to explain how invaluable their skills are.
They see things that I never could.
They can unpick and untangle things I couldn't.
Volunteer editors may not be as good, but I'm absolutely positive they would add value.
A fresh perspective, clean eyes, and yes. They may not get everything, but I'm sure it would be better than it already is.

Cagivagurl

 

[BellaBestia]

Caveat emptor….You get what you pay for here on lit. You want professional editing skill pay a professional editor for such a service. As for false advertising, many promote themselves as “real sex machines” but the proof is always in the pudding or putting in…

 

[TheWritingGroup]

I haven't tried the volunteer editors. My reaction to the OP is that I don't need help with grammar or spelling. A terrible speller could still help me by pointing out that the main character of my sexy action story never actually has sex, and asking if I meant to do that. (I did, actually. Pranked.)

--Annie

 

[MisterNatural70]

Use AI or a writing program to search the story for mistakes in syntax, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format etc. As far as having people weigh in on the quality of the story's ideas, plot, flow, character development and the like, check the feedback readers post after the stories are published. The self-proclaimed editors on Lit, although their hearts are in the right place, in general have very limited literary skills and you shouldn't depend on them for help.

 

[AwkwardMD]

Use AI or a writing program to search the story for mistakes in syntax, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format etc.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DO THIS

 

[StillStunned]

Use AI or a writing program to search the story for mistakes in syntax, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format etc.

Or spend an hour learning the rules and proofread your story yourself with Read Aloud. No-one's expecting perfection, but this will get you pretty close.

 

[SpicyBean99]

Use AI or a writing program to search the story for mistakes in syntax, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format etc. As far as having people weigh in on the quality of the story's ideas, plot, flow, character development and the like, check the feedback readers post after the stories are published. The self-proclaimed editors on Lit, although their hearts are in the right place, in general have very limited literary skills and you shouldn't depend on them for help.

Unfortunately even running pieces through an AI program will smooth everything into a neutral, grammatically ‘perfect’ tone which will undoubtedly remove all of your unique voice and writing rhythm. Each writer has a voice, their own cadence, and AI will remove every single shred of originality from your words.

If uploading to here, Laurel/whoever it is publishing the stories here, will run it through an AI checker and potentially, your entire piece will flag up red as AI.

This is because it’ll keep reusing the exact same sentence structures, or shorten long sentences. Maybe even completely avoiding adverbs and adding in m dashes.! Which are all are good rules sometimes, but AI applies them uniformly to EVERY sentence. This leads to prose where every sentence starts and ends in a similar cadence.

The first ever story I uploaded was littered with grammatical mistakes. I worked hard on the next two I uploaded, and editing can be gruelling but just like @StillStunned mentioned above, no one’s expecting perfection! And a little human error here or there can be forgiven! Especially if one’s story is engaging enough.

 

[HaralLuhhan]

Unfortunately even running pieces through an AI program will smooth everything into a neutral, grammatically ‘perfect’ tone which will undoubtedly remove all of your unique voice and writing rhythm. Each writer has a voice, their own cadence, and AI will remove every single shred of originality from your words.

If uploading to here, Laurel/whoever it is publishing the stories here, will run it through an AI checker and potentially, your entire piece will flag up red as AI.

This is because it’ll keep reusing the exact same sentence structures, or shorten long sentences. Maybe even completely avoiding adverbs and adding in m dashes.! Which are all are good rules sometimes, but AI applies them uniformly to EVERY sentence. This leads to prose where every sentence starts and ends in a similar cadence.

The first ever story I uploaded was littered with grammatical mistakes. I worked hard on the next two I uploaded, and editing can be gruelling but just like @StillStunned mentioned above, no one’s expecting perfection! And a little human error here or there can be forgiven! Especially if one’s story is engaging enough.

I've been using AI to check for grammar errors, and indeed, it will try to standardize all my writing, if I let it. So I don't let it. I just look for items flagged as syntax errors or misspelling and fix those. Things like misplaced commas, of which I have plenty. It's also helped me understand rules around punctuation in quotes and such.

I then make a pass of my own and look for other problems I could correct, because the AI doesn't flag everything. It's a useful tool if you are aware of it's limitations and avoid them. Not all new readers are.

As for the editor program, yeah I noticed the same thing as the OP. I suspect some are unaware of their own limitations and think their writing is stellar, and wish to pass their skills on, such as they are. ON the other hand, yes, they are all volunteers who kindly offer to help others. My issue with it is I tried contacting several of them and was met with complete silence. Disappointing.

I'm more interested in someone who will proof read my story to help improve it. I was lucky enough to find someone willing to do that for my first couple of chapters. This has vastly improved my story.

I'd offer myself to do the same, because a story can only benefit from a second pair of eyes. In fact the fellow has asked me to do the same and read his and give him my thoughts. Whether he takes my opinions or not is entirely up to him though.

 

[StillStunned]

My issue with it is I tried contacting several of them and was met with complete silence. Disappointing.

I suspect that people sign up full of enthusiasm, and then discover just how difficult, energy-sapping and time-consuming editing and proofreading actually is.

 

[drunkwombat]

I had a more fundamental problem. I had a story rejected and tried to recruit three editors. The first said they don't like doing the style of story I'd submitted, utterly fair, but the other two never got back to me. And whoever rejected the story, after pro forma telling me to find a volunteer editor, pointed me at a page of tips on how to improve the one aspect of the story they felt was lacking. I read the page thoroughly and then got rejected two more times; there was no way to gain insight into what I was doing "wrong".

I get all the constraints in play, limited volunteers and a deluge of submissions, but it's disheartening to spend hours writing and hit this wall.

 

[MsPeachPit]

I think you are wildly overestimating the skill level of the average new author. To them, the Lit volunteer editors (who are unpaid saints) appear as gods.

I think you've unintentionally identified part of the problem. If an inexperienced writer believes that a very poor, unskilled self-proclaimed editor is a god, they're leaving themselves open to worsening rather than improving their story.

 

[MsPeachPit]

I've been using AI to check for grammar errors, and indeed, it will try to standardize all my writing, if I let it. So I don't let it. I just look for items flagged as syntax errors or misspelling and fix those. Things like misplaced commas, of which I have plenty. It's also helped me understand rules around punctuation in quotes and such.

I then make a pass of my own and look for other problems I could correct, because the AI doesn't flag everything. It's a useful tool if you are aware of it's limitations and avoid them. Not all new readers are.

As for the editor program, yeah I noticed the same thing as the OP. I suspect some are unaware of their own limitations and think their writing is stellar, and wish to pass their skills on, such as they are. ON the other hand, yes, they are all volunteers who kindly offer to help others. My issue with it is I tried contacting several of them and was met with complete silence. Disappointing.

I'm more interested in someone who will proof read my story to help improve it. I was lucky enough to find someone willing to do that for my first couple of chapters. This has vastly improved my story.

I'd offer myself to do the same, because a story can only benefit from a second pair of eyes. In fact the fellow has asked me to do the same and read his and give him my thoughts. Whether he takes my opinions or not is entirely up to him though.

Yes, I agree. A writer can easily control how much or how little latitude they allow AI when checking over their work. I've begun doing this for basic proofing and punctuation. AI doesn't always get it right but neither do professional editors. Better than having a novice editor on Lit red pencil the word "profundity:" and write in "correct to profoundity!" which happened to me with a Lit editor recently.

 

[AwkwardMD]

Do not let the abyss near your work, because the abyss is already staring back.

 

[HaralLuhhan]

I had a more fundamental problem. I had a story rejected and tried to recruit three editors. The first said they don't like doing the style of story I'd submitted, utterly fair, but the other two never got back to me. And whoever rejected the story, after pro forma telling me to find a volunteer editor, pointed me at a page of tips on how to improve the one aspect of the story they felt was lacking. I read the page thoroughly and then got rejected two more times; there was no way to gain insight into what I was doing "wrong".

I get all the constraints in play, limited volunteers and a deluge of submissions, but it's disheartening to spend hours writing and hit this wall.

Shoot me a message and tell me about your story. I'm curious about what could be the problem. I have 3 chapters published with no hiccups so maybe I can spot something

 

[AwkwardMD]

I think you've unintentionally identified part of the problem. If an inexperienced writer believes that a very poor, unskilled self-proclaimed editor is a god, they're leaving themselves open to worsening rather than improving their story.

The "problem" is with your expectations of unpaid volunteers. Please correct that.

 

[MsPeachPit]

The "problem" is with your expectations of unpaid volunteers. Please correct that.

I'm an experienced enough writer to know when an "editor" claims that I've made a formal or spelling or punctuation error when I haven't. An inexperienced writer doesn't have that knowledge and may follow erroneous advice. Is that clear enough for you? And please, get a handle on your officious tone: you don't have any more clout than anyone else here.