Why is it so difficult to find an editor?

[dave110256]

I've written two different editors, asking for their service or help. Neither has replied.
I'd really love to have some help with my next story, it's for the summer lovin' contest.
My stories average in the 4 to 4.6 range and I'd like to improve on that. Is there someone out there who would at least like to take a look?
I understand editors are volunteers and appreciate that.
Thank you

 

[PennLady]

Dave,

PM me with the details -- category and length -- and I'll see if I can help.

PennLady

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

I've written two different editors, asking for their service or help. Neither has replied. ...

If you found these editors on the official Volunteer Editor list, this is a well known, oft commented on, problem which stems from there being no periodic check on availability.

If you want currently available editors (some of whom are not on the official list) look on the current and last month's list at the top of this forum. If you found your two non-replying editors on that list then you could let the moderators know who they are.

 

[sr71plt]

First, the volunteer editor program here collapsed years ago. The "list" means squat. Some editors are, for at least now, registering their availability by month in a sticky at the top of forum.

Second, like any volunteer work, volunteer editing is subject to being brushed aside by higher-level priorities in one's life, and editing is not a quick or easy chore. Also, if an editor is doing it right, no one but the author knows he/she has even been there. There are greater rewards in either writing themselves (or, I guess, posting to forums and pretending they are editing experts without actually doing any either writing or editing.)

 

[dave110256]

If you found these editors on the official Volunteer Editor list, this is a well known, oft commented on, problem which stems from there being no periodic check on availability.

If you want currently available editors (some of whom are not on the official list) look on the current and last month's list at the top of this forum. If you found your two non-replying editors on that list then you could let the moderators know who they are.

They were both from the current list, but I don't want to make trouble for anyone. One lady replied to my post, I'm hoping she may take me on....so to speak.

 

[PennLady]

You are better to go through the monthly list on the Editor's Forum, I think. At least you know those people have active accounts, etc.

I enjoy editing but as sr71 said -- life just gets in the way. I've hardly had time for my own writing, let alone editing, so I'm keeping that way down lately.

It's also a shot in the dark anyway. I'm no professional but I think I've got the basics down. Some people won't answer, some won't have any idea what they're doing, and it's all just trial and error.

 

[CassieJo]

If you want to post an 'ad' for an editor, which I definatly understand, then you may want to consider saying what type of story it is, i.e. non-human, sci-fi, romance, etc. Someone would most likely eventually reply. Many also won't take on work that they are uninterested in. It is incredibly hard trying to find editors for certain categories, i.e. gay male.
Though, this is just my own opinion from personal experience.
Good luck.

 

[JuuicyyLadyy]

I've written two different editors, asking for their service or help. Neither has replied.
I'd really love to have some help with my next story, it's for the summer lovin' contest.
My stories average in the 4 to 4.6 range and I'd like to improve on that. Is there someone out there who would at least like to take a look?
I understand editors are volunteers and appreciate that.
Thank you

Im an available editor. I always check my email and i would be able to get back to you in time.

 

[sr71plt]

Desperately asking for an editor on one thread and then volunteering to be an editor on the next thread--misspelling the first word in the post--now that takes chutzpah.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

... My stories average in the 4 to 4.6 range and I'd like to improve on that. ...

Improving on scores in Lit is a very delicate problem, and has little or nothing to do with editing.

Granted badly spelled, huge paragraph, badly punctuated stories will get low marks, if not rejected.

Your stories are not like that, so what do you need to do? It's a balancing act with no hard information to go on. You need to improve the appeal of your stories to the minority who vote positively, while not improving them to the point where the trolls come after you. There have been endless discussions here, and on the Authors' Hangout, and on other sites, about how to do that, but still nobody has a formula for doing it.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Improving on scores in Lit is a very delicate problem, and has little or nothing to do with editing.

Granted badly spelled, huge paragraph, badly punctuated stories will get low marks, if not rejected.

Your stories are not like that, so what do you need to do? It's a balancing act with no hard information to go on. You need to improve the appeal of your stories to the minority who vote positively, while not improving them to the point where the trolls come after you. There have been endless discussions here, and on the Authors' Hangout, and on other sites, about how to do that, but still nobody has a formula for doing it.

My advice would be to not avoid the trolls. They are as integral a part of the website as any other aspect. Bothersome, yes, but also unavoidable. They eat away the fat.

Back to the "real" question - how to be successful.

Write, just write, better yet to find the pulse of the readers. You'll see what works eventually, just as I did. I wasn't always successful, took a while. So take your bumps and bruises and soldier on. Just my lowly opinon.

If you're meant to write then you will. If you care more about how your writing is perceived, you won't. Ball's in your court.

Just saying.

 

[dave110256]

Thank you for the several replies I received. PennLady is a wonderful lady, and a VERY accomplished author.
I think I finished the story, with some guidance, and she may take a look at it for me. I can't believe it though, you folks have no idea just how good she is!!
I'm reading one of her published books now, and it's a great read.
Thank you PennLady!!!

 

[SydneyBlake]

Thank you for the several replies I received. PennLady is a wonderful lady, and a VERY accomplished author.
I think I finished the story, with some guidance, and she may take a look at it for me. I can't believe it though, you folks have no idea just how good she is!!
I'm reading one of her published books now, and it's a great read.
Thank you PennLady!!!

I've read some of Penn's work; not as much as I would like to, but you're right, she's a peach! You're so lucky she decided to take you on.