There are distinct differences between editors, proofreaders, and a ghostwriters. There are different types of editors and ghostwriters, dependent upon their employment. If they are contracted at a professional journal, newspaper or publishing house, they are often paid more and have more limitations than a freelance professional. Proofreaders review work for grammar, punctuation, and simple formatting or spacing errors. Ghostwriters are paid to produce work and not take the credit for writing. Copy editors review the entire work and offer contextual direction and advise on revisions.
Early in my career, I contracted with a client who hired me as a copy editor for her intended self-published book. She was developing a coffee table book about her pet. She had beautiful photographs and a basic text already laid out. I partnered with a layout editor and we packaged a deal with this client to help her develop the work into a finished book ready to publish. Over the course of the next few weeks meetings, she was disappointed with me as an editor and states she didn’t know why she needed me because I didn’t “fix” anything for her but made her do it. Needless to say, she did not understand my role in her work and I should have outlined the roles of the copy editor and layout editor much more clearly. She wanted someone to reword, correct all contextual errors, and do the revisions, or as she described, “say what I really mean.What she really wanted was a ghostwriter.
When hiring a professional ghost writer, be prepared for several interviews in person, by phone or email with the writer, and expect that person may have to view pictures or personal information in order to create a finished work. Also know that they will not be able to duplicate your voice on paper and may not “sound” like you. This is part of the cost for hiring someone to tell your story. Your are hiring their professionalism and writing skills to share your personal story, but they will not likely be able to produce your personality on paper. If you can write the story but need help with the organization of it, that would involve a copy editor.
As a copy editor, my job was to analyze the work, suggest revision of language and organization, advise on errors in syntax, context or style, and offer direction on how the author can improve the text, design and presentation of the work in total. She often received responses by email from me stating something like, “consider revising this section to reflect a description of your witnessing this act and how it effected you personally.” I also pointed out any grammar, punctuation, or mispelling errors [without correcting] that a proofreader might do. She sent her work in pieces over a few weeks, then she inserted text into the photography and we reviewed the layout format and design as a group.
The layout editor did the design and formatting of the photographs with the text and delivered the work in PDF format ready for publishing. This editor also set up the physical publishing of the book with the printer. Her paid bill to us was around $800, which was substantially less than a professional copy editor and layout editor charge at a professional print on demand publishing house. Her cost to print books was going to be several thousand dollars for the high quality color gloss pages she desired. In the end, the client backed out of publishing when she found out the cost of print was over and above the cost of our contract, even though clearly spelled out to her in our first meeting. It was a misunderstanding of the roles and services covered in the contract. Although discussed in a meeting, these roles were not defined clearly enough in the service contract.
When hiring one of these professionals, ask them about the scope of their role in your work. If they do not answer appropriately, or cannot define one of these roles, do not hire them. Investigate the professional you hire, ask for and check references, and pay no more than half up front, and the other half on completion of the service. Make smart decisions about your work and do not sign a contract with any editing service if roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined.
sherrystruthtofiction 