Are editors not responding?

[Orangejuicewithbits]

Hey - I have written a few stories and sent them to an editor who stopped replying, and I tried to find someone else to help me with editing. I have reached out to many editors, but I've never gotten a response back from anyone. I always try to be as polite as possible and give a sentence or two explaining the plot to make sure they're okay with it.

Is it normal not to hear back from so many editors? Should I do anything differently?

 

[PennyThompson]

Editing is a LOT of work, and it's a pretty thankless task when you're doing it for free for strangers. I've used the "Find an editor" button on Lit several times when I first started out, and maybe one in ten volunteer editors would reply.

I think some factors that make volunteer editing better or worse would include:

• How long the piece is, there's a big difference between editing a 3,000 word short and an 80,000 word novella.
• How technically proficient the writer is, if their mechanics are generally good but just have some errors here and there that need a second set of eyes, that's a lot easier to edit than someone who is a barely literate mess
• How well the writer receives feedback and improves their mechanics over time. I've tried really hard to learn from and integrate the corrections and suggestions of my editors and beta readers, so that I don't keep making the same mistakes over and over... I'm not saying I always succeed, but I try!

All that being said, if you find a volunteer erotica editor that you gel with, hold them tight and never let go Thank them in your author's note for every story (as long as they want a public credit, see differing opinions below), show them infinite patience and grace, and remember that they are extending you a huge favor

 

[Todger65]

The editor programme is still broken in so much as it relies on individuals registered to maintain their status. There are no regular checks made and therefore if someone decides to stop and doesn’t delete their entry they remain on the list but will not respond.
Other sites that have a similar programme automatically close an entry after a set period of time and whenever you log back into the site you get a message to reactivate your entry.

The best option is to post here with some detail as @PennyThompson has said, and sit back with your fingers crossed.

 

[FidelityBoss]

Hey - I have written a few stories and sent them to an editor who stopped replying, and I tried to find someone else to help me with editing. I have reached out to many editors, but I've never gotten a response back from anyone. I always try to be as polite as possible and give a sentence or two explaining the plot to make sure they're okay with it.

Is it normal not to hear back from so many editors? Should I do anything differently?

Hey, that’s super frustrating. It’s not uncommon for editors to be swamped or selective, but ghosting is still rough. A few tips: keep your pitch concise, highlight what makes your story unique, and maybe offer to pay (if you can) since many editors prioritize paid work. You could also try joining writing groups or forums to find editors who are actively looking for projects.

 

[FidelityBoss]

Editing is a LOT of work, and it's a pretty thankless task when you're doing it for free for strangers. I've used the "Find an editor" button on Lit several times when I first started out, and maybe one in ten volunteer editors would reply.

I think some factors that make volunteer editing better or worse would include:

• How long the piece is, there's a big difference between editing a 3,000 word short and an 80,000 word novella.
• How technically proficient the writer is, if their mechanics are generally good but just have some errors here and there that need a second set of eyes, that's a lot easier to edit than someone who is a barely literate mess
• How well the writer receives feedback and improves their mechanics over time. I've tried really hard to learn from and integrate the corrections and suggestions of my editors and beta readers, so that I don't keep making the same mistakes over and over... I'm not saying I always succeed, but I try!

All that being said, if you find a volunteer erotica editor that you gel with, hold them tight and never let go Thank them in your author's note for every story, show them infinite patience and grace, and remember that they are extending you a huge favor

That's really true and accurate!

 

[Lighthousenorth]

I must be a lucky guy. Found an editor at first request. When he ran out of time, I looked for another one, and that took only 2 emails. With the first one I still play online chess (after he had edited my chess stories ;-)). The second one is also an online friend now. As said above: take good care of your editor, once you've found one. They are priceless.

 

[Comentarista82]

Hey - I have written a few stories and sent them to an editor who stopped replying, and I tried to find someone else to help me with editing. I have reached out to many editors, but I've never gotten a response back from anyone. I always try to be as polite as possible and give a sentence or two explaining the plot to make sure they're okay with it.

Is it normal not to hear back from so many editors? Should I do anything differently?

I quickly scanned other replies, but if you don't already have a story written, include at least 3 paragraphs as a writing sample. If I'm looking at something and I think it's going to be too much to fix/rework, I'll say so.

Last week I had 3 at once: I finished one and got approached by two people: one I took and the other I told was out of my specialty, and to look for someone else. The one I took I finished in 4 hours (7.8K words).

I repeat the admonition of two posters: 1) when an editor corrects something, PLEASE be sure to fix it so you don't commit the same error going forward; 2) know what you want for your piece too and once you have your fixes, 3) make sure to credit your editor and 4) let the person know when you submit it. I ask for credit, but I want to have an idea when I can start expecting to look for it.

 

[StillStunned]

I repeat the admonition of two posters: 1) when an editor corrects something, PLEASE be sure to fix it so you don't commit the same error going forward; 2) know what you want for your piece too and once you have your fixes, 3) make sure to credit your editor and 4) let the person know when you submit it. I ask for credit, but I want to have an idea when I can start expecting to look for it.

This.

I'll add another rule: make sure your story is the best version you can do by yourself. Check for spelling and consistency. Use Word's Read Aloud function. It's lazy and disrespectful to send your editor anything less than the best and just expect them to turn your rough draft into something that's ready to be published.

 

[VerbalAbuse]

few of the editors in the VE program will ever reply.

 

[Comentarista82]

This.

I'll add another rule: make sure your story is the best version you can do by yourself. Check for spelling and consistency. Use Word's Read Aloud function. It's lazy and disrespectful to send your editor anything less than the best and just expect them to turn your rough draft into something that's ready to be published.

That's a nice one, because although an editor's reviewing it, with a particularly gnarly one it feels like someone's beating on my brain with a cinderblock--especially if there's really easy catches--and they keep rearing their heads. It's a lot easier to feel compassionate and relax when someone's done what they could because everyone that's trying to improve has been there before.

 

[_Lynn_]

I quickly scanned other replies, but if you don't already have a story written, include at least 3 paragraphs as a writing sample. If I'm looking at something and I think it's going to be too much to fix/rework, I'll say so.

Last week I had 3 at once: I finished one and got approached by two people: one I took and the other I told was out of my specialty, and to look for someone else. The one I took I finished in 4 hours (7.8K words).

I repeat the admonition of two posters: 1) when an editor corrects something, PLEASE be sure to fix it so you don't commit the same error going forward; 2) know what you want for your piece too and once you have your fixes, 3) make sure to credit your editor and 4) let the person know when you submit it. I ask for credit, but I want to have an idea when I can start expecting to look for it.

Before you give credit to the editor, ask if you may. There are people who don't want the public credit.

 

[Comentarista82]

Before you give credit to the editor, ask if you may. There are people who don't want the public credit.

I can understand that, although in my 25 years here, I've read exactly one story where an author thanked an "anonymous" editor that didn't wish to be named.

 

[Erozetta]

I can understand that, although in my 25 years here, I've read exactly one story where an author thanked an "anonymous" editor that didn't wish to be named.

Many who don't wish to be thanked also don't want that and, personally, I wouldn't work with a person again if they put such a note in place. If I help and want to be credited with that help, I will say so, otherwise when I say I don't want credit, I mean I want no acknowledgement whatsoever.

I have an editor for my work who feels the same and I always ask people who edit for me what their preference is, then I abide by it.

My personal take is that I don't want to detract from the writer's accomplishments. My job is to clean it up and make suggestions, not to change anything in any meaningful way such that it comes across as though I've altered their work enough to be credited on it. (The one time I've been okay with being credited was actually a collaboration, but that's different.)

I don't fault anyone who feels differently, but I do get annoyed by the "always credit!" idea. The better approach, in my opinion, is to always ask if the person wants to be credited. Never assume, just ask. Make it a habit and everyone is happy.

 

[Comentarista82]

Many who don't wish to be thanked also don't want that and, personally, I wouldn't work with a person again if they put such a note in place. If I help and want to be credited with that help, I will say so, otherwise when I say I don't want credit, I mean I want no acknowledgement whatsoever.

I have an editor for my work who feels the same and I always ask people who edit for me what their preference is, then I abide by it.

My personal take is that I don't want to detract from the writer's accomplishments. My job is to clean it up and make suggestions, not to change anything in any meaningful way such that it comes across as though I've altered their work enough to be credited on it. (The one time I've been okay with being credited was actually a collaboration, but that's different.)

I don't fault anyone who feels differently, but I do get annoyed by the "always credit!" idea. The better approach, in my opinion, is to always ask if the person wants to be credited. Never assume, just ask. Make it a habit and everyone is happy.

I made no statement assuming everyone wants credit but only observed the # of times I've read the contrary.

 

[Erozetta]

I made no statement assuming everyone wants credit but only observed the # of times I've read the contrary.

Only the paragraph beneath the quote was in response to you. The rest is on the topic in general. I apologize. I should've made the break in response in the above post more clear

So, to reiterate the response below this is separate to the response beneath the quote:

If someone acknowledged me as an anonymous editor after I told them I don't want to be credited/acknowledged, I wouldn't work with that person again. No acknowledgement means no acknowledgement whatsoever. I don't need it or want it. I help to help and I lead with "Don't tell anyone I helped you. Just read over my suggestions, take them or toss them at your leisure and write your story." There are many editors who feel this way, so you wouldn't see any evidence of this in stories and if you do, that person is a jerk who disregarded their editor's wishes.

It's always the author's responsibility to check with their editors so that expectations of credit/no credit can be established and no miscommunication happens. I've seen really stupid shit blow up where one person assumed they would be credited because they would credit everyone and another assumed no credit would be given because they don't want to be acknowledged when they help. All because neither spoke up and both made wrong assumptions about each other.

Assumptions breed resentment and hurt feelings, often for no reason. The author simply asking would've solved the issue of opposing assumptions being made and would've avoided unnecessarily hurt feelings in the editor. And if an editor feels strongly in any particular way, they should voice their expectations from the start just to avoid the possibility/risk of them not getting the recognition they deserve for helping. But the onus is always on the writer who asks for help to ask if the editor wants acknowledged or not.

In this particular instance, neither person involved was right or wrong, they just lacked clear communication which resulted in hurt that could've been avoided.