Forum: Author Hangout

I asked Bucket Siler, a developmental editor, to look at two short pieces, Morning at the Baths and Contessa. Her commentary was excellent, pointed, encouraging and very useful to me. I've revised Contessa following her comments, but I take responsibility for the result.

She's focussed on character development and plot issues and language generally, but this isn't copy or line editing.

Sadly, she declined to permit me to use any of her commentary in blurbs or other promotion. I was sure I'd find somewhere to put "near-ridiculous theatricality" and "better-than-average smut," both meant, I think, in a good way.

The revised Contessa is here on SOL, as well as on Amazon, iTunes, and Lulu. It's a free download.

If you're curious, her overall review and copies of the manuscripts with her margin notes are on my Google Drive, here.

Siler posts as The Literary Architect on Tumblr.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

~ JBB

Does she take references? Although I've got an excellent Content Editor, it sounds like your gal is more focused on character development and language (voice?). Thus having her look over a few other authors work, just to know whether she'd interested in pursuing it, might make sense.

Why, I just happen to have a shorter, roughly 70,000 word story lying around she could take a peek at, if she's so inclined. ;)

Once more, SOL ate my last post (no telling what happened, since I supposedly posted it hours ago).

I checked out your Content/Developmental Editors posts, and she makes many valid points. She appears to actually know her stuff.

If nothing else, it helps to view Developmental Editors suggestions as a learning experience, even if you're ultimately unable to utilize them (often editors and authors simply don't hit it off, no matter what they say during the 'hiring' stage.