3) CreateSpace: Editing Service

I have not mentioned it on this blog, but I currently have one of my short stories being edited by CreateSpace! This fancy little website below:

https://www.createspace.com/

It is an Amazon company, which is kind of comforting knowing they belong to such a giant. Makes me feel better about knowing it isn't just some hole-in-the-wall editing service. (Nothing against those, you just never know who the editors are). With CreateSpace, you can rest assured that the editors used have spent time in the industry, with a minimum of 5 years required to become a CreateSpace editor.

Once you have your manuscript uploaded, they will send it to an editor that specializes in your genre, which is outstanding!

Here is a personal example that really stuck out to me; in my manuscript I used the term "frakk" to replace swearing, it sounded pretty SciFi to me, so I figured it was good! What I didn't know, was that Battlestar Galactica, uses "Frak" as a swear word. My editor, who may not have caught it if she wasn't a SciFi fan, pointed out it may come off as seeming like I stole the term, or was trying to rip it off with the added "k".

I haven't figured out if I want to replace the word with an actual curse, or come up with another swear. She recommended I consider just using the same word BSG uses, since it is commonly used in society and other SciFi pieces.

I have been very pleased with this service, they are very attentive. I purchased the "Editing Package Plus" which includes two rounds of line editing focussing on plot, characters, etc. As well as one round of copy editing, specifically focusing on grammar, spelling, and the like. For a total of three rounds of editing. You can elect to keep the same editor between each round, or have a new one for each round. Each has its positives and negatives.

Once it is finished I shall link it for all of you, I am releasing it on Kindle, and it is the first short in a series of three, preceding one novel length book. I plan on releasing it for free for the first few days of its release, so stay tuned and get yours!

Anyone else have experiences with editing? Any editing service you would recommend or caution to avoid? Comment below! Don't forget to like, share, and spread the word about the blog! We want to grow and help everyone as writers!

Now go forth, and forge your story!

-Matt