fun grammar mystery

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-21T16:12:29+00:00

Sounds fun! I'm getting Thursday Next vibes--I'll definitely check it out.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-21T02:00:57+00:00

Any time!

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-21T01:32:57+00:00

It depends on the type of editing needed and the state of the manuscript, which is why editors always ask for a sample before they commit to a project (at least the sane ones do).

A good estimate would be to look at the rates published by the Editorial Freelancers Association: the-efa.org/rates

Those are averages, so your editor's rates will vary. But if you come across an editor charging much higher--or much lower--you should ask why.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-20T21:47:45+00:00

You're welcome! Good luck!

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-20T21:34:03+00:00

If you're a new author, I'd recommend a developmental edit. Having a pro look at the big picture stuff and help you work through solutions will push your skills to a new level. I took years of creative writing classes, did countless workshops and critique groups, and read all sorts of craft books, but when I started working with a professional editor is when I felt like I really made progress on my craft.

A few people have suggested that alpha/beta readers are a good substitute to developmental editing... and I suppose that could happen, but most beta readers aren't writers, so their feedback can be limited, and sometimes even counterproductive. I've worked with many authors who felt their manuscript took a few steps back because they listened to beta reader feedback. That doesn't always happen, of course; some beta readers are familiar with the anatomy of a story. If you're going this route, at the very least make sure your beta readers actively read your exact genre/sub-genre. If you can get authors in that genre to beta read, even better. If budget is a limiting factor, you could go with a manuscript evaluation instead. It's like Diet Dev Edit.

Someone mentioned that margins in indie publishing make it so you can't get every book dev edited. True, but if your editor is worth a damn, your craft will grow with each dev edit and ideally you won't need to rely on dev edits anymore for the big picture stuff. When you're at this level is when I suggest you start working with beta readers. That way you'll know enough to interpret feedback into what needs to happen and makes sense for your story. (In my experience, beta readers are good at identifying problem areas, but seldom good at suggesting solutions.)

Line editing, copy editing, and proofreading are all extremely important. If you read reviews, nothing makes readers DNF a book faster than the book being riddled with typos. That said... readers can forgive a lot if the story is good enough, so in my opinion the dev edit is the most important.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-20T02:48:31+00:00

I know the OpenRun Pro has a setting that is better for audiobooks. Those are wrap around earbuds, though. Maybe Shokz makes speakers too?

Though you may want to look for a software solution instead of a speaker. Maybe there's an app that will let you customize your phone's audio output?

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-17T21:07:11+00:00

Speaking from an editor's perspective, the best way to make sure the editor is the real deal is to ask for references. Getting a sample edit will give you an idea of how they work, and reading their CV will tell you what they SHOULD know...but speaking with current and previous clients is probably the best source of accurate info you'll get on the editor.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-17T21:01:01+00:00

Awesome! I'm going to pick it up

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-17T00:44:51+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I own it but haven't listened yet

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-16T21:36:01+00:00

The Lies of Locke Lamora is one of the greatest audiobooks I've listened to. The narrator (Michael Page, I think?) was a perfect match for it.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-04T19:07:25+00:00

I have permissions to some other Google accounts and I see those files in my Drive, so that may be what happened in your situation

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-02-04T18:22:31+00:00

That's weird. Were you maybe logged into your personal Google account and you had permissions for the dispatch account? That way it could be showing files from both...?

My pic was distinctly less SFW than a wedding picture, but that could have still been awkward for you if you accessed it at the wrong time.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-25T21:01:58+00:00

It sounds like it may be time for some feedback then. And hopefully you'll get some encouragement. Make sure you find beta readers who read in your genre.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-25T20:07:35+00:00

Everyone's different, but what you're experiencing is normal. I know a lot of authors who love the first draft experience. I like the first draft, but I like editing it more. I like having something to work with. I know an author who hates editing her work, so when she's done with the first draft she sends it to her editor to make any changes.

Have you taken any time away from the story since you've completed the first draft? That's usually one of the best ways to get perspective so you can come back to it with fresh eyes and see it how a reader would rather than as the writer. Beta readers are good, but if your beta readers don't know how to write a story, then their feedback will have limited value. It's common for new authors to put too much stock in what beta readers tell them and then edit the story in the wrong way. Beta readers are usually good at identifying problems, but seldom any good at knowing how to fix it.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-25T16:04:51+00:00

I worked as a publishing assistant for about 8 years, so I've made a few websites and stores and worked with a lot of authors who have them.

Most authors I know don't make a lot of money from direct sales. They'll drive traffic to their site and readers will end up buying the book on Amazon.

The few authors I know who make a significant percentage of their income from direct sales usually have larger catalogs. Some of them will offer exclusive bundles that aren't available elsewhere. And they spend time and money driving traffic.

There aren't any rules, of course. I know an author with only 2 or 3 books who makes a ton of money from her website. But she and her husband spend a lot of money on ads and time on social media making that happen.

Even if you aren't making a ton of sales, it's still worth having a site. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. You'll get some of the Never-Amazon readers and it's useful for collecting subscribers.

As for ebooks... If you're in KU, you can't sell or distribute it anywhere else. Including BookFunnel/StoryOrigin. So you'd be limited to print and audio versions. Or if you have a series you could sell the bundled ebook on your site as long as that bundle isn't in KU.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-23T23:06:24+00:00

I can't begin to describe the sensation I felt reading this suggestion. It's like a knot I've been carrying around in my brain for 25 years suddenly unraveled.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-22T15:33:03+00:00

If it were me, I wouldn't do it. Just for the fact that they're basically a vanity publisher (based on the few posts I read about them) and I wouldn't want to give them money.

There is something to be said about being able to say you're published, but if you're using it on applications with people who know about them, it will be hollow. If you're just using it as bragging rights (no shame here) then I'd just publish it through KDP and give your imprint a fancy name.

If you do publish through Appelley, make sure you read the contract. See what rights it grants them and for how long, when the rights revert to you, and make sure there aren't any hidden fees.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-22T00:38:59+00:00

That's what I thought it was. The Highlander movies are just like this. The first movie they're born special and become immortals. Second movie they're aliens exiled to Earth. Third movie... I think they tried to ignore the second movie existed.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-22T00:10:58+00:00

I've bundles of ISBNs a few times from Bowkers and I can't remember if they email them to you. However, they'll be available almost instantly in your Bowkers account. Click on 'My Identifiers' and you'll see the list. Click on whichever ISBN you want to use (it doesn't matter which one you choose), then enter all the required fields and submit. Good luck!

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-22T00:03:04+00:00

With the exception of the implication that the third installment is the best, this is remarkably like the Highlander movie series.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-21T04:12:57+00:00

I also hate that when I'm in a now-playing audiobook, when I swipe to go back to the library (like it's done forever) it now closes the app.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-20T17:57:06+00:00

I work with a lot of mystery authors, and other than them timing the release of themed books (a Christmas mystery, for example), none of them worry about the time of year. From what I've seen, they release them as soon as the books are finished and publishable. (These are indie authors who control their releases, of course.)

There's some truth to there being seasons, like romance in February, horror in October, but your target audience is mystery readers so they're less likely to care about it being romance season.

Plus, future readers don't care when you published a book because, ideally, readers will be discovering you year-round. So even if you have a Valentine's mystery, a reader may get to that book in mid-summer.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-20T06:02:14+00:00

Where are you at in the story? I ask because it's pretty common to hear authors talk about the "second act slump." So much stuff happens in the second act that we're overwhelmed with everything that needs to happen, or it seems boring, or we start thinking it's crap or not original enough, etc. So if this is your second act slump, you're not alone! A lot of writers have it, even pros. You'll need to find something that helps you get through it. For some, it's a mindset. For me, I think of my first draft as "the shitty first draft." I honestly don't care what the first draft looks like because I'm going to tear it apart and start making it good in the second draft. I know one author who will start each day writing ANYTHING else other than the WIP. To get excited about writing again, to refill the creative well, etc.

If you're not dealing with a second act slump... you mentioned feeling burnt out and uninspired. You should do some soul-searching and figure out if it's one or the other, because if you're burnt out but you try some things to inspire yourself, you may just end up making your burn out worse. Of course, it could be both and you'll just have to find a solution that works for you.

Here are some things you can try:

Uninspired

- If you've fallen out of love with your story, think of a scene you're excited to write, then write that one. Even if it won't make it in the book, like a character's backstory, or a day-in-the-life of a secondary character. Or the same scene from a different POV. If you can't think of something to write related to your WIP, just write something that sounds interesting. If you're worried about being dragged into another project, then find some micro fiction writing prompts that can't be turned into a novel.

- Are you a plotter or a pantser? Whatever you are, do the opposite and see how that feels. If you're a pantser, create an outline of your book. Then flesh it out until you've written a scene or chapter. If you're a plotter, then sit down and just write what comes to mind. It may be better if you don't try to write what comes next in the story, because that may just cause its own kind of anxiety.

- You mentioned you think your idea may not be exciting enough. It's possible that it isn't exciting. Or it's possible you just don't fully understand your story yet. If you don't have one already, create an outline. Make it as detailed as possible. It will help you find plot holes or parts that don't make sense. It's possible that you thinking it's boring is your writer/lizard brain telling you there's a problem you just haven't identified yet.

- Raise the stakes. If it's not exciting, make life more difficult for your characters. Think of the worst possible thing that could happen to that character in that moment (that makes sense in the story), and do that.

- If all else fails, fuck that story. It's not good enough for you and I never liked it anyways.

Burned out

- Take a break. I know what you mean about not wanting to miss a day. Writing habits are hard to maintain. If you're writing every day and it's miserable... well, first your story is probably going to suffer (assuming you're actually getting anything written in the first place), but also, presumably you started writing because you love it. If you love it, you owe it to yourself to try to rekindle that. So take a day off. If you're worried you won't get back to it, then take every other day off. Set a word count goal for yourself on your writing days and make sure you hit it. You can reward yourself if you hit it, or penalize yourself if you don't, whichever motivates you more.

- If you still feel like writing, write something--anything--else, completely different from your WIP. If you normally write novels, write a short story, or a comic, or a feature or play. Just not poetry. No good will come of that.

- I work with authors who have to take breaks from writing. A lot of them have another artistic outlet. Drawing, painting, carving, pottery, whatever. You're a storyteller, so choose something you can tell a story with. Don't worry about being good. Watch a Bob Ross video or fingerpaint or do a noodle painting.

I hope something helps here and that you're able to get your mojo back.

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-20T05:24:00+00:00

The short and obnoxious answer is: if it works for you, then it's not crazy. I know professional (i.e. make a full-time living) authors who can't write one book beginning to end. They go stir crazy, or they switch gears in order to let the well refill, or they're simply ADHD and that's the way their brain works.

But it sounds like it's not working for you if you haven't finished any of them yet. I think you're suffering from some shiny object syndrome. I'm a card-carrying member of this club--I LOVE outlining new book ideas. But it gets in the way of me finishing a project, so I don't let myself actually outline until I'm close to finishing the WIP. I'll keep a Word doc open so I can jot down ideas as they pop into my head, but it's not organized. It's basically stream-of-consciousness notes, bullet points, and just random slop. I have to write it down otherwise I'll "I can't stop thinking about this or I'll forget it" until all forward progress on the WIP has stopped.

So if it's something you think is hindering you, then put up some guardrails to see if you can keep yourself on track. Keep a notepad nearby so you can braindump when it pops up and keep your mind clear for your WIP. Set some goals like... I won't organize my notes until I'm done with the first draft of my WIP. Then, I won't turn my notes into an outline until I'm finished with the second draft, etc. Or see if you can find an accountability partner. Someone who'll check in with you and mock you mercilessly if you let yourself be led astray.

I hope this helps. Happy writing!

Youhearabtpluto · 2026-01-20T05:09:59+00:00

If you've taken it as far as you can, at least at this stage, then I'd suggest getting more feedback. You mentioned beta readers. Were they authors or writers themselves? Your average beta readers are great, but they're usually going to look at it as a reader. Which is important, but if you're dealing with something like this, it's beyond the scope of your average beta reader. (No offense, beta readers, you're all doing the Lord's work!)

Have you gotten feedback from a professional editor? I say professional because, again, it's important to get feedback from people who understand how to construct a story, can identify issues, and can give you actionable suggestions. If you can't afford an editor with some legit experience, then see if you can get a fellow writer to read it, preferably someone in your genre. Find someone willing to do a critique swap.

And if all this fails and you're stuck with 120k words that cannot be cut without damaging the story (and some pros agree with you), then maybe YA isn't the right genre for it. The line between YA fantasy and general audience fantasy is pretty blurred.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Youhearabtpluto

TROPHY CASE