How to find an Editor, a Designer, or Illustrator

FINDING AN EDITOR

Many self-published books stand out immediately by an obvious lack of an editor.  It's essential to have
your book professionally edited, and also proofread by at least one other person (in addition to the editor
and you).

If you're close to a medium-size city, go to your local library and ask if they know of local professional editors. While you're there, check to see if they have listings for local chapters of writing or editing organizations, as those groups are good places to find qualified people. In Canada, for example, we have the Professional Writers Association of Canada (many of whose members edit as well as write), and the Editors Association of Canada.

You might also contact the English Department of a local university. Some of those professors might handle editing on the side, or have graduate students capable of doing this, especially since I assume you need copy-editing (checking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, consistency, etc.) rather than "substantive" editing (which involves reorganizing parts of the book, cutting, suggesting additions and/or possible rewriting, etc.)

If English isn't your first language, or if you've never written professionally before, you may require substantive editing. It's wise to obtain this from someone familiar with your subject matter. Again, look to professional organizations to find someone capable of doing this.

Find an editor via The Editors Association of Canada: http://www.editors.ca/

A few editors I recommend:

PROOFREADING: 

Many authors make the mistake of thinking they can proofread their own books. This is almost always a mistake. Even with the most careful proofreading, errors can slip through, but hiring a professional proofreader is essential, and it's often wise for that person to be different from your editor. There are two reasons for this. One is that an excellent editor may not be a great proofreader, and it's always a benefit to have another pair of eyes look at the edited copy.

Barbara K. Adamski is a certified proofreader who proofs in a variety of formats and handles manuscripts of all lengths and genres. Contact her via http://www.barbadamski.com/

Sherrill Wark offers proofreading, editing, and document preparation. Contact: http://crowecreations.ca

Yvonne Jodoin is a former English teacher who provides proofreading services in English, for books, academic theses, term papers, etc. Her degrees include CTESL, B.A., B.Ed., and M.Ed. Contact her via e-mail at: jodian5@sympatico.ca.

You'll find other Certified Proofreaders at The Editors Association of Canada: http://www.editors.ca/

HOW ABOUT A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

Bonnie  Myhrum (www.professionalsecretaryllc.com) offers "Virtual Assistance for Virtually All of Your Tedious Tasks, " including transcription, typesetting, proofreading, 'final-pass' editing, database set-up, etc."

The Office Elf  promises "your work finished, like magic!" and says no job is too small. For reasonable rates she will handle such things as proofreading (including minor copyediting), indexing, checking footnotes, research (including telephone interviews), formatting newsletters and brochures, event planning, bulk mailings, checking website links and meta tags, responding to routine e-mail requests, and handling forwarded e-mail when you're out of town.

Find out about Virtual Assistants at:  www.ivaa.org,  www.cvac.ca, or www.assistu.com

FINDING A DESIGNER:

A designer is crucial. Again, your local university might be a good place to start. Another place to ask is at local galleries. Owners often know graphic designers (who do their posters) or if you think you'd like a photo on the cover, contact professional photographers.

Depending on what kind of book you've written, you might have a photo you (or a friend or family member) has taken, which could make an effective cover in the hands of talented designer, who can manipulate the image, add a border, find a typeface for the title, etc. 

You cannot use a photo taken by someone else, or one with strangers clearly identifiable, without obtaining permission. In some cases, buildings, statues, monuments, and other landmarks might also require permission.

If you hire me as a mentor, I will be happy to advise you about cover design.  Meanwhile, look at books you find appealing, in bookstores and the library, to see what kind of design catches your eye.

Check out www.TLCGraphics.com. Tamara has designed many beautiful book covers, and also handles designing the inside of your book. She offers free consultations, and will taking your book right through the printing stage, if you wish.

Another wonderful designer is Rami Schandall. She does both cover and interior design, illustrations and even some editing. Check out her website: www.visualcreative.net

IF YOU NEED AN ILLUSTRATOR

Virginia West is a book cover designer I can recommend. Contact her at: virginiawest@rogers.com

Dianne Oost specializes in people, pets and wildlife. Her renditions of Terzo, created just from photographs, are wonderfully realistic and detailed. Visit her website at: www.dianneooststudio.ca

Brian Finlay is an Illustrator/Animator who has produced artwork for television broadcast and websites. He now  illustrated children's books and is also experienced at designing youth-oriented websites with games and fun interactive interfaces.  Contact him via: http://ant-tropolis.com/

SOME USEFUL INFORMATION RE PRINTING

Standard book lengths:
                                        Book of short stories – under 15,000 words
                                        Novella – 15,000 to 29,999 words
                                        Short novel – 30,000 to 44,999 words
                                        Novel – 45,000 to 69,999 words
                                        Super novel – over 70,000 words

Printers usually set up pages in groups of 8, so make sure the total number of pages in your book (including front and back matter) is devisable  by 8. Ask your printer about this before you submit your pages to him.

Download a PDF Measuring Tool designed by Marko Mikulich to help authors build their self-published Book. The tool is cut out of an 8.5x11-in paper sheet and contains five different measuring rulers (inches, millimeters/centimeters, pica), type-sizing tool for determining lettering size from 6 to 72-points, decimal-fraction equivalent conversion, line widths, etc. This tool is from the Appendix of the new book, ILLUSTRATE YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK; The Author's Guide for Drawing, Photography, Typesetting & Production. 

FINDING A PRINTER:

If you hire me to mentor you, I can give you the names of some reliable printers others have used successfully. But I recommend you see if you can find a local printer first. This makes the production so much easier, as you can receive and deliver proofs quickly, shipping books to you is usually included, and it's easier to negotiate a price in person rather than by e-mail or over the phone with someone at a distance.

UPS is now offering digital printing services either sent to them electronically or on CD, DVD, or even floppy disks.  They will also bind, laminate, and even package if you wish. Check www.theupsstore.ca or www.theupsstore.com.

My favorite printer is Custom Printers, who did a superb job on Mewsings/Musings.

RELIABLE P.O.D. PRINTERS ARE HARD TO FIND.

If you want a small run of about 400 books, contact Peter Geldart at Petra Books: http://petrabooks.ncf.ca. They offer quality POD printing at a reasonable costs, with the risks and benefits shared equally between the author and Petra for a specific duration, after which the author owns the print-ready master file.

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