tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62400096705563288632024-02-20T18:19:39.623-08:00Hazard Editing ServicesCats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-30594589681765888882013-11-06T11:50:00.000-08:002013-11-06T11:50:06.265-08:00Lower Prices!We lowered our rates to $4 per 1k words for editing and $3 per 1k words for proofreading. And we still offer a free five-page sample edit so you can try us out!Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-1391708535261914432013-02-08T07:29:00.003-08:002013-02-08T07:29:53.472-08:00Valentine's Day Discount We're offering a 15% discount off your rates starting Valentine's Day through the end of the month! Write if you'd like more information.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-23089574394493975762013-01-10T17:22:00.000-08:002013-01-10T17:22:24.471-08:00Welcome Julie Zimlich to Hazard Editing!Julie will be taking on proofreading (or rather, second edits) on our projects. She has a degree in professional editing and has been working for small publishers for several years. She catches everything and is pleasant to work with, always keeping in touch with her progress.<br />
<br />
Right now, it's just the two of us and our schedules are flexible. We work when we can treat your book with the respect, love and dedication your work deserves. Feel free to write with any questions.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-69768485014634151292012-11-03T15:16:00.002-07:002012-11-03T15:16:40.866-07:00Fall UpdateHazard Editing is reopening for one to two projects a month. We now charge $5 per 1k words for editing and $4 per 1k words for proofreading. Feel free to contact Lisa Hazard at hazardediting@yahoo.com.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-46744409530461561202012-03-10T04:41:00.002-08:002012-03-10T04:46:46.447-08:00Hazard Editing UpdateRight now, I'm scheduled out through April and have a few works scheduled throughout the year. My co-editor, Patricia LaBabera, may be able to take projects earlier and she's a wonderful editor. <br /><br />I'm still open to taking shorts under 10k words over weekends, so drop an email if you have a short you want edited before May.<br /><br />Thanks to all my clients who are most talented, amazing to work with, and patient with the way I work. I have great appreciation for all of you and enjoy my job immensely.<br /><br />Also, I'd like to add I help with blurbs or author bios for clients I work with for free if you want this service. Just let me know.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-20028238282564849412012-02-04T12:38:00.000-08:002012-02-04T12:42:48.110-08:00Yet more on commasWhen you start a sentence with a phrase like this in sentence, you put a comma after the phrase.<br /><br />Here are some examples:<br /><br />After the cat ate dinner, she cleaned her face.<br /><br />In the living room, the cat claimed the softest chair.<br /><br />When the kitten realized he was big enough, he began jumping on the counter.<br /><br />If the cats would stop scratching the furniture, I'd have a nicer-looking house.<br /><br />Look back over those examples and take the commas out. You'll be able to see how the sentences run together without the commas and make more sense with them.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-47143634246240212492012-01-26T11:29:00.001-08:002012-01-26T11:30:05.715-08:00Taking on New ClientsI've caught up on projects and I'm taking new clients. Feel free to write hazardediting (at) yahoo.com with any questions!Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-69619864984598481782011-12-29T15:13:00.000-08:002011-12-29T15:18:46.200-08:00... and em-dashesWhen using ellipses and em-dashes, here are a few tips:<br /><br />Ellipses run into the next word, whether they are in the same sentence or not, unless you're using dialog.<br /><br />For example:<br /><br />The cat was sneaky...and persistent when it came to getting the people's dinner.<br /><br />The cat ate everything he could...He even devoured salad.<br /><br />The cat talked in a mumble... "Rawl, raaawl..."<br /><br />Em-dashes are made by typing a letter, then adding two dashes. - and - <br /><br />Then you simply add another letter.<br /><br />Something I see a lot with em-dashes is a backward quote. You can fix this by typing the em-dash, then a letter, then the end quote and deleting the letter.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-13940243756110932092011-12-09T09:12:00.000-08:002011-12-09T10:10:52.989-08:00Choosing the Right Editor<span style="font-style:italic;">This post is for writers trying to figure out how to know if they've found the right editor, and also for me to tell you more about what I do as an editor.</span><br /><br />If you're looking for the right fit for your book's editing, here are some things to think about.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />1. Do you want mainstream editing or indie editing? </span><br /><br />Mainstream editing is more what you'd find in big publishing and bestsellers. The fat is heavily trimmed, adverbs are axed, passive writing is rewritten, and the content of the book is more streamlined into traditional stories. The good side of this kind of editing is that the majority of readers will find your book easy to read and will feel satisfied at the end that everything in the book was as it should be, or wrapped up. The bad side is you might lose your unique voice and some readers might find the book to be an average read.<br /><br />Indie editing is more voice-centered. An editor who says they edit to the writer's voice will leave adverbs that fit, allow some passive writing if the sentences are effective, and will encourage unusual stories' plots to unwind in a non-traditional manner. The downside to indie editing is many people may not want to read something experimental and could find the language of the book too out of the box for them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. How do you know if you can trust the editor you hired?</span><br /><br />Ask other writers who they used, what their experiences were and read other books the editor has worked on. See if you like the editor's style. If the editor has a Web site, look over it carefully for mistakes. If you see a lot of errors, the editor might not be the best choice. Also, read forums and message boards on editing subjects. You'll find lots of advice and testimonials from other writers. Make sure your editor knows your genre or area of non-fiction. Don't be afraid to write the editor with questions. Get to know her personality. You're trusting her with your baby, so you should feel like you can without stress.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />3. How much can you spend and how much do editors usually cost?</span><br /><br />Most editors will cost from $300-$600 for a 75k word book. Watch out for editors who ask for large amounts of money; they are often scammers. As of now, some of the more sought-after and experienced editors may ask for more than the standard going rate, and if you have that kind of money and know the editor is gold, it's probably worth it. If you have a tight budget, look for new editors, ask for a sample edit, which is usually a free 5-page edit, and show it to other people who know editing to see if this newbie is getting her feet wet and trying to get new clients with low prices and is really good, or doesn't know what she's doing.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />4. Learn from your editor.</span><br /><br />When you get back your first edit, look for common mistakes you make that she corrected. This will make your next book so much better than the last. I suggest you even ask her what she thinks your strengths and weaknesses are. Take what she says with a grain of salt, though. Consider carefully the advice you get and see if you can apply it or if you agree with it. If she says you use too many adverbs, ask her when you think you can use them. I have a post about when to use adverbs, but that's only my opinion. Every editor has a different opinion on this, and on many other areas of style.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. Don't be scared of your editor, but don't be rude, either. </span><br /><br />Editors are often writers. We're all in a creative field. Editing a novel is an extremely creative project. If you have even the smallest question, don't hesitate to ask your editor. If you disagree with her on a certain point, discuss it with her, tell her what you think, and reflect on the conversation.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">About my editing style.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I am more of an indie editor than a mainstream editor.</span> I love unique voices in fiction. My opinion is that's the heart of any written tale. I do what I can to keep the voice strong, encourage it in rewrites I suggest, and point out to each writer what part of their voice makes their book unique.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />I go for consistency.</span> I look for things plot-wise that should be there. For example, if a little girl's cat attacks the stranger who breaks into the house, somewhere earlier in the book, it must be shown the cat is either oddly attached to the girl, has an irritable personality, or already is known to attack people he isn't familiar with.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I also make the writing consistent.</span> Usually in the editing stage, I leave some things as they are to see how each writer does these things throughout the book. For example, if a writer uses 's instead of "s in places, or does both, in proofreading I'll pick which one I think works best and change it all to be the same. By this, as an example, I mean those phrases where the character is thinking a word. <br /><br />I didn't like her eyes. They screamed, 'I hate cats.'<br /><br />Or it would be:<br /><br />I didn't like her eyes. They screamed, "I hate cats."<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />I make some style decisions when editing.</span> I take out "that" whenever possible. For example, "He didn't think that the cat would eat the whole chicken."<br /><br />I like, "He didn't think the cat would eat the whole chicken."<br /><br />If I see the same word or words used too much, I'll usually take one of them out and replace it with another word like it. I tell my writers I do this and advise them to change any word choices I make to one they like better if they don't like the ones I throw out there.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />I love to read.</span> I've enjoyed every book I've worked on, gotten into the plots, the styles, the voices, the characters. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">My greatest weakness as an editor</span> is that I'm not always on time, sometimes as much as a few weeks behind. Because I feel editing is a creative job, and I'm working on another person's artistic heart and soul, I only edit when I know I can do my best work. We all have moods and life problems. When I have crazy things going on in my life that keep me from focusing and doing my best work, I <span style="font-style:italic;">will not</span> edit or proofread. I do this because my clients are paying me a lot of money, putting a lot of trust in me, and I want their books to shine, I really do. Money is tough everywhere right now, and I know how hard it is for an author to shell out $500 for editing for a book they don't even know whether or not it will sell. My job is to strengthen your faith in your book, make your story glow in all its uniqueness and have as few distracting errors as possible.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-50155405235453018412011-11-17T16:59:00.001-08:002011-11-17T17:00:56.356-08:00Hazard Editing is not Taking Clients at this TimeDue to a recent death of a friend and traveling for the holidays, I'm not taking clients on at this time. I will work with past clients on books, but request additional time to complete projects. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-22532369181594833152011-10-21T21:04:00.000-07:002011-10-21T21:05:07.317-07:00Writers, Check Out this Site!<a href="http://thekindle3books.com">Kindle 3</a><br /><br />They promote indie authors!Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-40384924064408908482011-10-15T12:29:00.000-07:002011-10-19T06:39:22.438-07:00More on buts and commasAs I went over in an earlier post, if you have a sentence with but, and then an action or feeling or some kind of response or insight, always put a but, comma.<br /><br />Times you should not do this are in these examples:<br /><br />It was but noon when the people gave the heard of cats treats.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-46698408759367471812011-10-14T08:09:00.000-07:002011-10-14T08:12:51.367-07:00Colons:Colons should not be used as a semicolon or a comma. Most frequently, they are used in listing things. For example:<br /><br />The cat had four different colored kittens: gray, black, orange and tabby.<br /><br />NOT:<br /><br />The kittens were cute: I loved them.<br /><br />This should be:<br /><br />The kittens were cute; I loved them.<br /><br />Colons can also be used as above where I wrote, "This should be:" If not using a comma and quotes, you can put colons in place so that the text reads more easily.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-916918874082539842011-08-30T13:57:00.001-07:002011-08-30T13:59:39.506-07:00We're Bringing Back Proofreading ServicesAfter talking with Cassie Robertson, we decided to bring back proofreading services for authors who feel that's exactly what they need. Take a look at our Pricing Page on the right for more details.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-3409733068745218932011-07-25T10:10:00.001-07:002011-07-25T10:13:44.091-07:00Really, Very and JustThe cat was frisky.<br /><br />The cat was really frisky.<br /><br />The cat was very frisky.<br /><br />The cat was just frisky.<br /><br />What do you write? These words are usually used in speaking, really, very and just. If you're writing first person, these words can be gold. However, if you use them too much, they clutter a reading experience.<br /><br />Also, these words are free-to-use in dialog, especially because they are spoken word comments. If you use them right, they can add character in dialog.<br /><br />Sometimes, you really want to say really. It adds something. My advice is to use these words sparingly and with intent.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-40319465999040736822011-07-16T18:55:00.001-07:002011-07-16T18:56:19.915-07:00We Have Something for Our Repeat Clients, TooIf you've worked with us before and we know your books, we are open to negotiating prices for services you need.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-63125336694105902011-07-14T12:02:00.001-07:002011-07-14T12:05:34.224-07:00Changes Have Been Implemented - and We Have a Promotional Opportunity for New Clients!Please see the <a href="http://hazardediting.blogspot.com/p/pricing.html">Pricing Page</a> and <a href="http://hazardediting.blogspot.com/p/contract.html"http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif>Contract Page</a> for what we've decided to do. In a nutshell, we're not offering proofreading services anymore. We have a $6 per 1k word editing, critiquing, proofreading package now. <br /><br />The promotion we're running until August 31st is for new clients. For you, we'll do $4 per 1k words on the Standard Editing Package.<br /><br />We decided to keep our critique service. We just love to read!<br /><br />I'd like to hear your thoughts on the changes. Our desire is to make better books.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-37203864433694962142011-07-11T15:54:00.000-07:002011-07-11T15:57:07.073-07:00Soon-to-Be Changes in Pricing and ServicesI talked to Lynn O'Dell of Red Adept last week and running some new ideas for pricing and services by my editors. All projects we've already contracted will be the same, but new ones will be different. We will continue to offer a critique service, but most likely no proofreading service. It will be included in our editing package and you will probably get a different proofreader than editor for your projects.<br /><br />More to come as decisions are made.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-47126721441970282562011-07-07T07:54:00.000-07:002011-07-07T07:59:49.952-07:00Enter Red Adept's Contest!<a href="http://redadeptreviews.com/infamous-last-words/">Can you write an infamous worst ending sentence?</a>Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-30834810487360513032011-06-20T09:07:00.000-07:002011-06-20T09:10:59.030-07:00Changes in ContractCassie brought to my attention that we need something in the contract saying our editors will not share authors' work. Great idea.<br /><br />I added this:<br /><br />Editor agrees not to share the author’s work or distribute work.<br /><br />It's right at the end. I posted it on the contract page, too.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-55237328283217956502011-06-05T15:55:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:58:32.112-07:00Beginning of a BookThere is a lot of advice about how to start a book. Action, no dreams, someone's on fire, conflict from the first pages, a mystery in the first few sentences.<br /><br />I like conflict in the first pages. And mystery. But a big bonus is creating a character who is unusual enough to make me want to know more about her.<br /><br />Characters make books, and plots keep readers reading, but only if they care about the characters or are so intrigued by how unusual they are, they just have to keep reading.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-18205480442553520752011-06-03T13:08:00.001-07:002011-06-03T13:17:55.406-07:00Editing Vs. ProofreadingI did <a href="http://hazardediting.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-do-you-know-if-you-need.html">a post on this</a> a while back. Sometimes I go through samples and can tell if a manuscript is at the editing stage or at the proofreading stage. And sometimes the author is asking for the wrong service. And then sometimes I have to write and tell them their book needs to be edited rather than proofread. That's tough to do because the price is twice as much.<br /><br />Indie writers take a risk paying money to get their books in great shape. Without a publisher to do their editing and covers, they have to fork the money out of their own pockets not knowing whether or not the book will pay out the money put into it and eventually make a profit.<br /><br />I know one thing. A book that doesn't have good editing may be loved by readers, but they will complain about editing. The reviews will reflect that and book browsers will be turned off by that.<br /><br />So what makes an editor good? All four of us have experience editing novels, and I also have experience editing educational texts and some nonfiction. Editors love to edit. I chose this job because I love to read and I love to fix, polish and make a good story shine. Since I started this company, I've been able to cut back on content writing and spend my days immersed in awesome indie books. I haven't had one I didn't get into and fall in love with.<br /><br />As I said in the post I linked to, if you don't know which service you need, editing or proofreading, feel free to send a sample and I'll give you my honest opinion. You'll be able to tell from my sample that I'm being straight with you.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-88106360552876431172011-06-01T11:58:00.000-07:002011-07-22T18:32:03.661-07:00Then and And ThenAnother stylistic post.<br /><br />Some writers write things like, "The cat licked her shoulder, then looked unconcerned."<br /><br />The proper way to do it is: "The cat licked her shoulder, and then looked unconcerned."<br /><br />I don't change "then" to "and then" if the writer has written it that way. My preference is just "then," even if it isn't in the style books. I like to trim out words that don't have to be there. It makes for a smoother read.<br /><br />I look for what the author uses and make it consistent throughout the manuscript.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-70325866295893482752011-05-28T11:50:00.000-07:002011-06-06T14:49:53.499-07:00And the Cat Was Happy...Sometimes writers like to start sentences with "and" or "but." I covered "but" <a href="http://hazardediting.blogspot.com/2011/05/commas-and-buts.html">in another post</a>, and much of the same applies to starting a sentence with "and."<br /><br />The mama cat licked her kittens. And they were dirty.<br /><br />The mama cat licked her kittens and they were dirty.<br /><br />There's a difference. The first implies they were <span style="font-style:italic;">really </span>dirty, in a way. The second combines the two sentences for one complete sentence. <br /><br />Starting a sentence with "and" is stylistic. I advise writers not to do it too much or it doesn't have the same impact as it would if it were used occasionally.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240009670556328863.post-19532066557969470332011-05-25T12:27:00.001-07:002011-05-25T14:38:57.197-07:00...s...s are done like this:<br /><br />The kitten sniffed the other kitten's ear...something wasn't right in there.<br /><br />No spaces. <br /><br />Same with beginning a new sentence:<br /><br />The tom cat paused...There was the scent of another male in the air.Cats!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11873298483818373722noreply@blogger.com