Reviewers Anonymous

Ironic, isn't it?

Let me just say that hiring Vivian would be a bargain. Hiring me would make some people wince. And I cannot afford the services of some of the editors I've been blessed to have available to go over my work with a fine-toothed comb before it goes to print. I have seen the results. I always think I'm a good writer, until a real editor gets his or her hands on my work and improves it. A good editor does NOT rewrite the work. A good writer spots the plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. A good writer or proofreader spots the few typos left over after the fifth edit. A good editor takes the polished work and finds the microscopic pinholes that will let the insidious virus through that MIGHT kill the observant reader's joy.

As one commenter on that thread said, "You get what you pay for." Unfortunately, there ARE scam artists out there. Anyone can declare himself a writer; anyone can declare himself an editor. A "book doctor" isn't an editor. A "book doctor" is more of a hybrid between an editor and a ghost writer. They may be excellent, or they may be crap. Unless you're a celebrity who has a good story to tell but admittedly can't write for spit, I'd like to suggest that having to hire a "book doctor" in order to call yourself a "writer" is a little shady. I'd like to suggest that you enroll in some creative writing classes, instead. Practice, practice, practice - it's much more rewarding than paying someone hundreds or thousands of dollars to rewrite "your" book. A good EDITOR, on the other hand, is careful not to interfere with YOUR voice, your story, your book. A good editor can - but shouldn't be expected to and usually won't - "save" a bad writer. A good editor can save a good writer and make them look like a better writer. And they work quietly, behind the scenes, and usually don't even want a share of the fame. Maybe a small acknowledgment, somewhere, in small print - but even that is unusual.

The editors I work with (when I'm lucky enough to have the resources available to me) charge $50+/hour. (Note the + there - you're lucky if you get one of these folks at $50.) Don't even think about trying to charge that much unless you're as good as they are, though. Some people think I'm smart; I think these folks are brilliant.