When it comes to publishing, especially for authors who self-publish, it’s important to hire the right people for the right tasks. Sure, you can do it all yourself, but is that really smart?

I have likened publishing to construction. A general contractor hires subcontractors in various specialties to do expertly what he cannot. These specialties include disparate skills in plaster, masonry, wiring, plumbing, tile, security, computer networks, etc. Just like the general contractor, the author cannot expect to be an expert at all the specialties that go into producing a top quality book: editing, proofreading, book design, cover design, marketing. OK, that last isn’t really a part of book production, but it is critical to book sales.

For those authors who need some extra help, it pays to know the right kind of people to hire someone prepared to do the work as expected. It’s not always a good match.

Case in point, a writer in a Facebook writing group hired a developmental editor to teach her how to master “show, don’t tell.” This person provided the editor with pages of her manuscript which was only in the second draft stage. The editor provided a developmental edit and returned some unkind comments, but did not provide the requested instruction.

I commented that it was possible the editor may have misunderstood the parameters of the gig. (We never got the editor’s side of the story.) I also stated that editors generally don’t teach. And the conversation blew up. Someone defending the original poster (OP) immediately argued that editors do teach and are, because people learn from them, teachers. I disagreed. The commentator stated that I obviously did not understand what she meant. I did; I simply disagreed with her definition of the word “teach.”

The commentator stated that her definition formed the socially accepted meaning of the word “teach” and that I had extremely narrow and literal interpretations terminology. I used the Merriam-Webster definition (Merriam-Webster is the CMOS’ acknowledged and preferred reference for definitions) and reiterated that editors generally don’t teach as in they generally don’t hire themselves out to provide instruction. The commentator told me I was stupid and deliberately confusing the issue.

I disagree with that. But then, I would. Of course. As for my narrow and literal interpretation of words, that’s an occupational hazard. As a writer and an editor, I need to know the precise and correct meaning(s) of the words used to ensure they are used in the proper manner or, if not, then their meaning is understood. I did not succeed in the run of that exchange.

I agreed with the commentator on a couple of points and attempted to respond to her comments in a rational and dispassionate manner. The OP hopped into the conversation and stated she’d never hire me as an editor because I don’t teach, but I’d probably be good as a proofreader which she doesn’t need because she’s already really good at grammar.  (I think I dodged a potential bullet there.) Then she noted that I apparently believe that no editor teaches.

No, that was not what I stated. She missed the operative word: generally. I even highlighted that word as key. I also explained that I welcome questions from my clients if they don’t understand the edits made to their documents. I don’t consider that teaching; I consider that explanation. The author chooses whether to agree with the explanation and/or accept the edit. The author chooses whether to learn. However, my objective is not to instruct, but to foment understanding. I’m an editor, not an instructor. I don’t have that kind of patience.

Once again, there appears to be an issue of reading for comprehenion. So, I’ll try to make this clear:

1. Editors generally don’t provide instruction. (Generally is the operative word in that statement; it does not mean always.) Teaching is not an editor’s job. They are not hired to teach writers how to write; they are hired to improve the quality of already written content.
2. Every manuscript requires editing and proofreading. I don’t care who you are, how well you write, or how rigorously you self-edit. The author is too close to the story to see its flaws. An editor provides that objective pair of eyes to catch and help fix those flaws. A proofreader catches and corrects those small errors missed in the editing process.

I’m not going to argue as to who was right or wrong. I will admit to having once again unwisely embroiled myself into a lose-lose exchange with someone who doesn’t care to learn when I actually am engaged in instruction. Perhaps, I, too, need to read for comprehension.

LISTEN TO A PODCAST!

Rose Cushing, the host of Speaking of Writing, interviewed Karen Smith (aka Holly Bargo). Follow the hyperlink to Rose’s PODCAST.

I’m not much for social media. I cross-post from LinkedIn to Twitter and Facebook. I’m active on Facebook. I don’t do TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or any of the myriad other social platforms. There are simply too many, and I have too few hours in the day and even less interest. So, let’s be candid: social media is not my forte.

It’s strange, though, what pops up in my news feed.

I saw a picture of the aurora borealis and clicked “Like” on it. Now I’m getting oodles of photos from diverse sites showing pictures of those mysterious and gorgeous northern lights. The same goes for the photos of the vintage Deusenberg, the skillfully crafted quilt, and the bouquet of flowers that crept into my news feed. Now my news feed is packed with such photos.

I once checked out a “DDlg” book because I’d never read one before, didn’t know what the abbreviation meant, and wanted to see if it was a new genre to add to my reading list. Um … no, it wasn’t. But now I get book promos for DDlg books despite my aversion to them.

I see memes of political and social commentary that align with my personal opinions more often than anything not corresponding to what I think and feel.

I just ordered a new butter dish on Amazon because I was feeling too lazy to go shopping. I wonder how long it will be before I start seeing ads for kitchen appliances and tools and dishes will saturate my news feed.

The interconnectedness of our lives is, frankly, disturbing. On one hand, I’m often intrigued by many of the book promos that pop up in my news feed. I enjoy seeing the various new books being advertised in my preferred genres. I even buy some of them. However, the deluge of advertisements overwhelms posts by people I know. I do a whole lot of scrolling to find an friend’s or family member’s update.

I’ve noticed that ignoring the multitude of posts showing off flowers, cars, castles/mansions, quilts, and more doesn’t make them go away. Even worse, advertisements for stuff in which I am utterly not interested (e.g., exercise programs) further saturates my news feed even though I occasionally go through the “don’t show me this ad again” routine that Facebook or LinkedIn demands to remove the content from my news feed.

Granted, I do participate in several online groups. My participation in these groups entails learning from others and teaching others. It’s a give-and-take exchange as well as a marketing activity. I hope that the contribution of my time and expertise convinces someone to hire me to either write, edit, or format their content, just as much as I hope to learn from other, more experience, better skilled professionals and maybe find one or two to assist me with my projects.

What’s old is new again. That pertains to just about everything. So, when it comes to a subject near and dear to my heart, I consider myself somewhat of an expert. Therefore, allow me to throw a few lessons learned at you if you’re someone contemplating on writing a book or if you have written a book and aren’t sure what to do next. Take these words to heart, because I won’t steer you wrong. I’ll help you get into this with your eyes wide open.
​

• There’s a process to publication. If you wish to be traditionally published, then you must first understand that no literary agent or publisher is obligated to accept your manuscript. You pursue publication. To enhance your chances, do your research and follow the company’s author guidelines.
• If you decide to self-publish, understand the publication part itself costs nothing but time and a bit of effort. Getting your manuscript fit for public consumption does cost money, oftentimes a lot of money.
• If you self-publish, then you are the publisher and you assume all the responsibilities of a publisher. Those responsibilities include hiring professionals (like a traditional publisher does) to edit and format the manuscript and design the cover.
• Marketing sells books. Especially in the more populous genres, the only way to make your book stand out from its competition is a robust, strategic marketing plan rigorously executed. If you’re not good at marketing, hire a pro.
• Your book’s cover design is a powerful marketing tool. Hire a pro.
• The quality of your content may not be what persuades a reader to buy the book, but it will be what persuades a reader to leave a positive review and to purchase your next book.
• Good writing requires competent editing.
• Authors should never rely on their own editing. Hire an editor. Always.
• Editing software is helpful, but does not take the place of a human editor because it cannot detect nuance, plot holes, and continuity issues, etc. Editing software may introduce as many errors as it fixes.
• Your book’s description or cover blurb falls under copywriting, not content writing. It’s primary purpose is to convert potential reader into a paying customer, not to tell your story. Authors who excel at content writing often don’t do well at copywriting. Considering hiring a pro.
• Marketing does not guarantee sales. Any marketer who promises or guarantees a certain volume of sales is a liar. Marketing improves your book’s chances of selling.
• Good editing is invisible; poor editing is glaringly obvious. The better your editing, the less likely your readers will notice; however, if the editing is poor or nonexistent, then readers will most certainly notice and warn potential readers in their reviews.
• If you have an intriguing story idea but not the time, skill, or inclination to write it yourself, consider hiring a ghostwriter. A skilled ghostwriter won’t write just like you would—the reason you’re hiring a pro, right?—but perhaps the ghostwriter will write your story better than you could.
• Ghostwriters don’t write for free.
• There are different kinds of writing and editing. Someone who excels at one may not excel at another.
• Authors who self-publish need not feel obligated to do everything themselves. You are probably not an expert in writing, page layout, graphic design, and marketing. Stick with your strengths and hire pros to do what you don’t do well.
• Proper editing is not a one-and-done process. Your manuscript will need at least one round of editing followed by a round of proofreading.
• Entering character information and plot points into ChatGPT or other AI program and getting a story in return is not writing.
• Adverbs and adjectives are not bad; overusing them is.

I could go on, but this has run long enough.

I do business as Hen House Publishing, and I offer freelance services in writing (ghostwriting), editing, and book design. I don’t offer cover design or marketing, because those are not forte.

If you have a story in mind but not the time, skill, or inclination to write it, then contact me at henhousepublishing@gmail.com to write it.

If you have drafted a manuscript that you want to publish, contact me to editing it at henhousepublishing@gmail.com.

If you have an edited manuscript ready to be formatted for publication, contact me for book design at henhousepublishing@gmail.com.