7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs

by Debra L. Butterfield

Say the word editor and writers tend to weep and gnash their teeth. They'd rather have a root canal than spend money on a freelance editor. In 7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs, Debra L. Butterfield outlines the editing process and how writers can improve the editing of their manuscripts. The booklet covers determining your editing costs, the job of an editor, several ways the writer can help the process, and the writer’s choices in those edits. The seven cheat sheets show what writers can do to reduce editing costs, including punctuation guidelines, what to italicize, how to handle numbers, POV, and more.

Genres: Writing

64 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2017

About the author

Debra began her writing career in 2002 as a junior copywriter for Focus on the Family. She began freelance writing in 2006 and freelance editing in 2010.

In 2014, she joined CrossRiver Media Group, a traditional publishing house, as an editor. In 2019 she became their Editorial Director.

Her favorite genre to read is cozy mystery with historical fiction a close second. She enjoys summertime, hiking, and being outdoors.

Debra is the author of ten books, blogs for writers at TheMotivationalEditor.com and for readers at DebraLButterfield.com

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

All fiction writers who’ve completed their first manuscript and believe it's ready for publication should read this little book before submitting to an agent or editor. And definitely before hiring an editor. (I've never seen types of editing explained and costs broken down with examples like this.) Doing what author and editor Butterfield recommends can save writers headaches, heartache, and money. I follow Ms. Butterfield's blog, and she consistently offers helpful advice. My fourth novel is about to be published, but this handy little book still had something to teach me.

I won a copy of this book in a raffle.

[Angela Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

7 Cheat Sheets isn't a long book, but it's packed full of valuable information. I really appreciated how Debra shared what goes into the editing process. This will help writers partner better with their editor. Debra's writing is to the point and easy to understand, making it a quick reference instead of one that I have to wade through to find what I need.

Whether you want to do a better job at self editing or critiquing your writing partner's book, or just be able to partner better with your publishing house's editor, this book will be an invaluable resource to have on your shelf.

[Catherine Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ‘meaty’ in information and a must read for every writer. Butterfield tackles the questions that haunt would-be and seasoned writers in every genre. Humorous, yet direct, she doesn’t clutter the pages of 7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs with needless information and gets right to the heart of what writers need to know and what publishers are looking for.

Getting into this publishing world can be a knock-down and dragged-out fight. You need a critical and knowledgeable editor and publisher for your book to shine above other competitors.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, skinny reference for sources for helpful research websites, editing (which kind do you need, what price to pay, how to find an editor), POV, checklist for CMOS (Chicao Manual of Style), and self-editing broken down to fiction and non-fiction cheat sheets.

[Robin Fuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for writers of fiction and nonfiction. Helpful tips and to do lists. This is a writers must have reference handbook. Great quick tools from how to choose an editor to a checklist for after you type, The End, and before you send it to the editor.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro for editing your own writing. I'm always learning the craft, and this book taught me more.

[Patricia Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a little slip of a book, this one is a keeper! Great succinct advice, with a good set of “why you need to do this” paragraphs. I especially liked the explanation of the types of editing an author needs, and when, and the list of research websites in the back. Invaluable. And I’ll explore the author’s website and blog as it looks super targeted, relevant, and accessible.

[Robin Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book with quick and clear tips on cutting editing cost.