JoEllen Nordström hosts the Publishing Power Podcast for authors. She is the chief word wizard and owner of First Editing. As a fellow publishing enthusiast, JoEllen co-authored her first two books as an authorpreneur in 2005. As a progressive leader, JoEllen is recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as an elite National Pioneer Award winner. JoEllen’s professional online editing company has helped over 50,000 writers with their words.
Are you tired of spending hours on editing your book with no tangible results? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by the lack of professional guidance you need to make your book truly shine? Discover the essential role of professional editing and how to find the perfect editor that can help you produce a flawless, captivating read.
Editing is an art, just like writing, and it requires a specific talent and skill. – JoEllen Nordstrom
This is JoEllen Nordstrom’s story:
JoEllen Nordstrom’s journey in the world of editing started when she realized her own self-bound book needed a professional touch. After joining First Editing, she poured her energy into developing a division that caters to authors looking for the perfect editor. With thousands of manuscripts under her belt, JoEllen’s passion for editing continues to grow, as she believes it’s an essential step in producing a polished book that can compete in today’s market.
In this episode, we talk about:
The importance of professional editing in creating impeccable books.
Choosing the right editor who can provide valuable input while honoring your author voice.
The comprehensive editing process, including developmental, line-by-line, and copy editing.
Fine-tuning your communications skills to build a successful partnership between authors and editors.
Absorbing the techniques to develop a supportive community and foster valuable connections within the publishing realm.
The Importance of Editing
Editing is crucial for authors who want to present a polished, error-free book that stands out in today’s crowded market. A professional editor not only focuses on the technicalities of grammar and punctuation but also provides valuable insights on pacing, structure, clarity, and the overall readability of the manuscript. The editor can help refine the story and make it more engaging, ultimately increasing the chances of the book’s success. In this episode, JoEllen emphasizes the importance of hiring a professional editor. She mentions that even bestselling authors have errors in their work, highlighting the need for expert editing to stay competitive. She recommends authors to be open to critique and collaborate with a reputable editor who can provide constructive criticism while respecting their work, goals, and unique authorial voice.
Key Takeaways
Consider hiring a content editor, story coach, or book coach to help with developmental editing, ensuring important elements are present in your book.
Look for an editing service that offers certified story coaches and vetted book coaches, such as First Editing, to ensure quality and consistency in your editing process.
Begin your editing process with developmental editing, focusing on the concept, idea, and presentation of your book.
Move on to line editing, ensuring the flow, tone, consistency, and presentation of your book aligns with your genre’s expectations.
Complete the editing process with copy editing, focusing on grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, transitions, and voice.
Don’t forget the importance of proofreading, checking for formatting errors and ensuring nothing was lost during the editing process.
Utilize software and artificial intelligence tools to help streamline the editing process and improve overall quality.
Memorable Moments:
00:09:09 – Levels of Editing, JoEllen breaks down the different levels of editing, starting with developmental editing for both nonfiction and fiction, moving on to line editing, and finishing with copy editing before formatting. 00:13:11 – Importance of Line Editing, JoEllen emphasizes the importance of line editing, as it ensures consistency in tone and presentation while also adhering to genre expectations.
00:20:13 – Choosing the Right Editor, It’s important to work with an editor who is a good fit for you and your book. Companies like First Editing offer a free editing sample to match you with the best editor for your needs. Freelance editors can be hit or miss, so it’s essential to do your research and find someone who has the right qualifications. 00:26:03 – First Editing Services, First Editing offers a wide range of editing services for fiction, non-fiction, academic, and research writing. Their website also features thousands of author testimonials and resources, including a podcast and educational videos. As a company, they prioritize professionalism, quality, and timely delivery to ensure that authors can focus on their creativity.
Every author needs an editor. No matter what you’re writing, no matter how great your prose is, having an editor is a must.
But hiring an editor can be complicated. Where do you find one? How do you figure out a working relationship? How do you know they really know what they’re talking about?
My friend JoEllen Nordstrom founded FirstEditing to make writers’ lives easier. She understood the importance of finding the right experienced editor to authors at all stages of their book and in their career, and she created a simple, elegant solution to connecting them.
I’m so grateful that FirstEditing has again joined the Women in Publishing Summit as a bronze sponsor. We love their company for creating a more connected world, and we appreciate their support!
What does FirstEditing do?
FirstEditing is a one-stop shop to connect writers with editors. Rather than needing to search out your own editor on the dozens of freelance websites out there, First Editing makes hiring the right person for your work simple.
But what really sets this company apart is that every editor on the team has been vetted – they’ve got the professional credentials, AND they can back it up. So you’re not just getting a self-proclaimed “expert,” but someone who’s been proven and screened to be an effective industry professional.
You can even get a certified story coach, who brings expertise on the 38 story elements to evaluate your novel. You’ll get actionable feedback on your story arc, structure, characters and so much more.
In addition to traditional editing, FirstEditing offers academic editing as well. This means they have subject matter experts with the verified educational credentials to help prep your work for journals, nonfiction publication and peer review. So even if your work isn’t fiction or creative nonfiction, you can still find an editor who can dig in and make sure your final work is as good as it can be.
What kind of author needs FirstEditing?
Any author in search of editing support will benefit from working with FirstEditing and their team of trained industry experts. No matter your genre of publication goals, every author deserves a great partner in a qualified, experienced editor. First Editing can make that happen for you.
How can I learn more about FirstEditing?
I’m excited to introduce you to JoEllen and her business at a FREE webinar titled “Your Editing Journey: How to Navigate Your Story Edit, Copy Edit and Professional Edit” on December 7 at 1pm EST – you can register by clicking right here, and we’ll send you a recording, if you can’t watch it live! She’ll be joined by ProWritingAid’s Lisa Lepki and Fictionary’s Kristina Stanley. You won’t want to miss it!
We had a great webinar on with JoEllen Nordström of FirstEditing, on the right time to find an editor. If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the replay on our Webinars page.
In this webinar you will learn:
WHO you can you trust for editing
WHAT determines your editing prices
WHEN should you approach an editor for services
WHERE can you find editing help (for free!)
WHY professional editing is necessary (and when it is not)
HOW editing helps you reach your goals
Ten steps to successful editing, according to JoEllen:
Evaluating what your manuscript needs
Getting the best price for qualified editors
Determine where you are in your editing journey
Knowing who to trust with editing
What factors play into the cost of editing
When should you approach an editor?
What kind of services do you need?
Getting help with editing
Getting a professional to help you
How does editing help reach your goals?
JoEllen walked us through these ten steps, and answered some great questions from attendees, so be sure to watch the replay!
How Much Does Editing Cost?
The cost of editing is probably the most frequently asked question from authors. The answer is: it depends. In the webinar, JoEllen goes over the different types of editors and what factors play into the cost of editing. One tip for lowering the cost of editing is to first do a self-edit, with a tool like ProWritingAid. The less work an editor has to do, the lower the cost.
Another strategy for lowering the cost of editing is to use beta readers. Beta readers are not a replacement for editors, but they can be helpful is pointing out egregious errors such as plot holes and repetition. Learn more about beta readers in this WPS blog post.
Another frequently asked question is, how do I find the right editor? The author-editor relationship is more personal than you’d think. JoEllen recommends shopping around to find the editor that will serve your book the best. One tip she shared for finding the right editor is to think about who your favorite writers are? Whose style would you like to emulate? Ask a potential editor if they are familiar with the work of that author.
You’ll also want to take your genre into consideration. Every genre has it’s own conventions, and you’ll want an editor that is familiar with those conventions. Don’t hire an academic editor for your romance novel, for example.
More importantly, you’ll need to determine what stage of editing you are in, which JoEllen covers in the webinar. Different editors fill different needs. A developmental edit is much different from a copy edit, both in purpose and in cost.
Learn more about FirstEditing at firstediting.com, and use coupon code WIP19 to get 19% off services, until May 31st, 2020.
Head over to our webinars page to view the replay, and register for our upcoming webinars.
Which Writing Partnership Is Right For You?: Exploring Ghostwriting, Developmental Editing and Co-Authorship
Description: Editor and Ghostwriter Stacey Aaronson chats with conference host Alexa Bigwarfe on the different ways that authors can work with ghostwriters and editors.
Format: Video Q&A
Level: This presentation is for all levels.
Stacey Aaronson
Founder of The Book Doctor Is In
Stacey Aaronson loves what she does: building beautiful books with love for her author clients! She has had the joy of taking writers by the hand since 2011—as a writer, editor, cover designer, layout artist, proofreader, graphic designer, ebook creator, publishing facilitator, and all-around mama bear supporter—transforming over sixty manuscripts into books of excellence from cover to cover. She is privileged to have been a trusted book production partner for some of the most accomplished entrepreneurs, coaches, educators, and writers of inspirational nonfiction and memoir, and her books have won several notable awards, including the National Indie Excellence Award, the Outdoor Writers of Canada Book Award, Gold and Silver Medal IPPY Awards, multiple Book Excellence Awards, and the coveted IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award: Best New Voice, Nonfiction, both in 2015 and in 2018.
Stacey is also a ghostwriter and co-author who specializes in memoir and nonfiction she resonates with deeply, allowing her to genuinely step into what she calls the author’s “soul space.” It is in this sacred space that she has ghostwritten two compelling memoirs in partnership with the authors, one of which has been optioned for an independent film. Her first co-authored book, The Amare Wave, was published in November 2019 and is focused on running a love-centered business—a tenet she ascribes to wholeheartedly.
In addition, Stacey has been a top layout artist for She Writes Press since 2013, designing over one hundred titles for them to date. She is also a frequent participant in online writers summits and has been a guest on multiple podcasts. She lives a quiet, creative life on Whidbey Island, WA, fed by views of trees, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains, and greeted daily by numerous deer, birds, and a very friendly squirrel.
[bctt tweet=”Editor and ghostwriter @staceyaaronson is back at the #womenpublishingsummit, talking about #writing partnerships and how to figure out which type is right for you. #womeninpublishing #editors #ghostwriters ” username=”womeninpublish1″]
There is ONE way to still access the full 2020 experience... you can get your Full Conference Pass upgrade now!
The Full Conference Pass/ Community Access is lifetime access to all of the presentations, in video and audio form. Additionally, you get access to a private support community where we are helping each other through our writing, publishing, and selling journeys. And bonus materials! Thousands of dollars of gifts, products, discounts, training, and more have been provided by our speakers and sponsors. You can learn more about the Full Conference Pass here or you can go ahead and grab it now!
Description: Alexa talks with Judy Mohr, Audrey Hodge, Alexandra Uth, and Kate Johnston, about editing.
Format: Panel
Level: This presentation is best suited for BEGINNER audiences or intermediate who are looking for a different or better editing solution.
Alexa Bigwarfe
Author, Publisher and Summit Producer
Alexa Bigwarfe is a wife, mother, author, publisher, speaker, and author coach. She has published numerous books of her own and for many other writers and entrepreneurs through her author coaching and hybrid-publishing company Kat Biggie Press (katbiggiepress.com). Kat Biggie Press is dedicated to sharing women’s works of inspiration, self-help, and books that make the world a better place. Her children’s book imprint, Purple Butterfly Press, publishes books of encouragement, inspiration, self-love, and healing for children and parents. She is also the founder and producer of the Women in Publishing Summit. Follow her everywhere on instagram @katbiggiepress and on youtube for publishing tips at https://www.youtube.com/writepublishsell.
Kiwi Judy L Mohr is a writer of thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, and non-fiction. She is also a freelance editor with Black Wolf Editorial Services, working on projects from writers around the world. When she isn’t writing, editing, or doing something for writing within the local community, she’s delving into the crazy world of science and technology. You can follow her crazy adventures on her blog (judylmohr.com) or on Twitter (@JudyLMohr).
Audrey Hodge
Editor
Audrey has been a bookworm from a very young age, favoring series because she hates for the story to end and loves exploring new worlds. As errors and inconsistencies seem to jump off the page at her (and she loves helping people), starting an editing and proofreading business seemed a natural next step. She helps writers avoid frustration and gives them back time by doing the editing that is best done by a fresh set of eyes. She helps the writers who are excited and eager to get their story to their audience but want it to be at its very best. Some of her recent projects have included editing several children’s books, a fiction book, and a non-fiction book. She loves that her business name, Hodgepodge Solutions, is a play on her last name. When she’s not reading, she can be found out in the garden, taking a walk with her family, chasing after her daughters, or trying out a new sewing or crochet project.
Kate Johnston
Writing Coach & Editor
Kate Johnston was born on Cape Cod, and raised in rural New Hampshire where nature and wildlife stirred her imagination. She knew she wanted to be a professional writer when she was about 8 years old and wrote a story about a good wolf. Married with two children, Kate likes to spend her mornings writing YA and Adult fiction. Her work can be found in Wayfaring, Compass Points: Stories from Seacoast Authors, The Greensilk Journal, Wolf Warriors, Northeast Wolf Coalition, and her blog that helps writers one story at a time. Kate has over fifteen years of experience as a writing coach and editor. She motivates writers to take their inspiration to the next level so they can write successfully with confidence, joy, and rumbling creativity. Her areas of expertise include private coaching for writers, story development, developmental editing, and copy editing. She also offers online writing courses and writing guides. You can find more detailed explanation of her services on https://katejohnstonauthor.com/manuscript-editing/ or feel free to contact her for a complimentary quote at kate@katejohnstonauthor.com.
Alexandra Uth
President, Loomis & Lyman, Inc
True or false: writing and editing a book is exhausting, ego-crushing, and ridiculously expensive. True—unless you know Alexandra Uth of Loomis & Lyman. No red pens allowed; Alexandra’s signature Purple Pencil Packages are designed to enhance the author’s voice. As a writing wrangler and book advisor, she specializes in two critical parts of the book creation process: guiding writers from idea to outline and polishing and perfecting drafts into finished products. Alexandra is based in Chicago, where she has plied her craft for 30 years. She resides with her husband and a clowder of five cats. In her spare time she helps animal rescue organizations.
[bctt tweet=”We’re talking about #editing with @JudyLMohr, @4amWriter, Audrey Hodge and Alexandra Uth today @womeninpublish1. #representationmatters #authorpreneur #womeninpublishingsummit #amwriting #ampublishing” username=”writepublishsell”]
There is ONE way to still access the full 2020 experience... you can get your Full Conference Pass upgrade now!
The Full Conference Pass/ Community Access is lifetime access to all of the presentations, in video and audio form. Additionally, you get access to a private support community where we are helping each other through our writing, publishing, and selling journeys. And bonus materials! Thousands of dollars of gifts, products, discounts, training, and more have been provided by our speakers and sponsors. You can learn more about the Full Conference Pass here or you can go ahead and grab it now!
