Raging_Hopeful

So I've finally completed my YA novel and have gone over it about 3 times, editing here, revising there, butchering and rewriting where needed.

Now what?

I still don't feel its perfect, I don't trust my family and friends (tho I love them) to be completely ruthless in editing, and I'm not sure paying someone to do it is the right path to take.

Any suggestions? Experiences? Nuggets of insight?

All welcome

Cheers,
Linz

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The Backward OX

Umm . . . you DO belong to a forum, right?

I’ve been a member here for half the time you have, and I have a few “contacts” amongst members, with whom I share emails on this ‘n that, including editing of works in progress. These “contacts” are similar to myself in some ways, which of course is why we get on. There should also be others, similar to you, out there in forum-land somewhere, with whom you could create a working relationship.

Edit: You probably don't need to be told to avoid this site like the plague. The reasons are obvious, when you think about it.

Raging_Hopeful

Thanks Backwards but that's the problem.

If I go to people "like me" then I'm not really branching out am I? How many editors and publishers are going to be "like me"? Probably not very many. I need an objective and more than that, I need a -professional- overview of my work.

Er... if you're referring to WF then I think you're dead wrong. Some of the best editing advice I've ever received has been from here.

That being said, my novel is 30,000+ words long so its certainly not going to get up on the boards. I have featured some limited chapters on here and gotten GREAT feedback but feedback is not consistent and in the case of reviewing an entire novel, most people just don't have time to do that for someone online.

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Joe Moore

Put it aside and start a new project. Go back and take a look at it after a few weeks or a month. You'll be amazed at how different it will look after some time has gone by. Good luck.

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Mike C

Excellent advice. Come back to it with fresh eyes.

If you feel you need some professional input, Barbara Rogan is offering a special deal for $50 - Manuscript Evaluation

I've not used her services but she comes highly recommended.

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HarryG

Without paying for it, it's difficult to get a professional opinion on the merits of your work, and even then you need to be careful not to fall foul of the predators.


An electronic file is difficult to read objectively, the usual, double-spaced printed-out format sent to publishers is just as difficult to read for the non-professional, and comes at a cost.


However, if you feel that you've edited it to death, and have done what Joe suggested, to leave it for a bit and come back to it, then you could try and have two or three copies printed out using a cheap printing service like Lulu.


This will provide with your work in 'book' form, and you could then ask appropriate people, not family or friends, to read it and honestly appraise it for you – finding those 'appropriate' people is bound to be difficult.


Failing that, leave it, come back to it, edit it again and start submitting it to agents. Why not do that anyway?

seigfried007

If you've already edited the hell out of it, send it to an agent who likes the kind of things in your story. You might lose some in postage, but at least you know you tried--this of course beinfg after letting it rest awhile and possibly sending the complete manuscript to a VERY trusted writer.

Personally, books are easier to read in print, but regardless of medium, I'd rather read somethiing in it's entirety or at least chapters in quick succession than the once-a-week bit on forums, but maybe that's just me.

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Raging_Hopeful

Yes and you're all right about the fresh eyes thing. But I've done that... twice.

This story has been written over the course of 2 years, with 3 or 4 very long periods of non-writing between. So I've done the fresh eyes thing. I think I may have to go with a professional editing service unless I decide to just start submitting. But again... I know it's not perfect. And I'm not talking grammar and/or spelling. I think those aspects are pretty well slushed through but when it comes to content and structure, those are the things that worry me.

Hey thanks for the link Mike, I'll check her out and think on it some more.

Cheers,
Linz

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Mike C

Martha O'Connor's now offering a $25 - 5 pages critique. She's a manuscript doctor and cool person. Let me know if you're interested and I'll find the link.

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Raging_Hopeful

Hmm that might not be too bad since Barbara is actually only doing the first 5 pages for $50.00 and her regular prices are pretty outrageous.

I'd be interested in reviewing Martha's info if its not too much trouble Mike. I guess its especially useful as I feel the beginning is the part that needs the most work!

Cheers,
Linz

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lin

Since you've done so much on this and can't find anything wrong with it.... why not try popping it out to some agents and publishers?

You might score. You might get some general comments. At least, you'll know you're not just spinning your wheels out of reluctance to get your feet wet.

Put the first chapter up for some reviews, on this site and absolutewrite You might get some good feedback. Or at least free proofreading. At worst, what the hell, you'll just be back where you are now.

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Raging_Hopeful

Heh thanks Lin. I have posted the first few chapters of the story on WF before but I suppose I could repost the first couple chapters as they have changed quite a bit. I guess I'll do that before i make any major decisions. Thanks!

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