PENCON was a success!
By Jenne Acevedo Forty-three of us gathered in Colorado Springs last week to sharpen our skills, explore the editing world, and see God’s hand in our lives. What a wonderful time we had!
Who’s Your Target Audience?
by Ralene Burke One of the best ways for editors to achieve success on social media is to define your target audience and develop a strategy that caters to that demographic. Many people cringe when I mention “target audience.” Maybe it’s because they think the process is too overwhelming, or maybe it’s because they are…
Empathy: A Powerful Key
You’ve all had that client—the one who wants you to edit for grammar without changing the words. Is it possible to avoid changing the words in an edit? After all, Merriam-Webster defines grammar as “the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language.” Recently, an editor shared how her client’s words…
Editing: The Inverted Pyramid
By Karin Beery After I finished my first novel manuscript, I knew I wanted to hire an editor. Unfortunately, I knew nothing about the process, and I ended up wasting time and money on the wrong edit. When I realized I wanted to edit (not just write) novels, I decided that one thing I had…
You Might Need an Editor If . . .
By Christi McGuire Trying to get published without the help of experts in the publishing industry is like trying to sell your house without a realtor. Can it be done? Sure. But will you face more obstacles along the way without the guidance of someone who knows the market? Yes. Are there tips and tricks…
Clear Communication
By Jenne Acevedo Personal interaction is absent in much of our communication today. This can lead to confusion and even frustration. So how do you maintain professionalism and kindness via e-mail? Begin with a personal greeting. While I’m often focused on getting right to the point, it’s important to remember that I’m communicating with a…
Time Management for Creative Types
By Ken Walker Although I didn’t intend for it to happen this way, I dashed off this blog post after spending a week out of town on a book project that is proving to be more rewrite than edit. The trip meant taking time away from a looming book-editing deadline. In the past, that would…
How Talk Radio Can Enhance Your Editing
By Rachel E. Newman I must admit, I come from a family that doesn’t fit the status quo. As one of eight kids with two strong-willed, passionate parents, my life wasn’t perfect, but it was also never boring! I suppose Mom figured out at some point that she would need some outside support to survive…
International Characters and Setting in Fiction
By Helen Wakefield Authors and readers alike enjoy the element of romance and excitement that international setting and characters can bring to a novel. If the author has lived in that country, they have the advantage over other writers. Even if the author hasn’t been to the place they’re writing about, the internet enables them…
3 Reasons Why Editors Need Social Media
By Ralene Burke When people find out I’m a social media consultant, one of the most common questions I get from writers and editors alike is “Do I really need to be on social media?” The answer is YES! (And I meant to capitalize that word.) I’ve met the majority of my new clients in…