Not all authors have the same goals, attitudes or emotions when it comes to publishing their books. Matching your editing style to the right kind of author has HUGE benefits.
In my experience, there are four categories most fiction writers fall into. As a freelance editor, it benefits both you and your client when you know what kind of writer you’re dealing with.
The Artist-Writer
This writer has a burning desire to create something original, powerful and authentic. Though they might harbour a secret desire for fame and fortune, they’ll never chase this at the expense of their vision. Because of this, they usually support themselves financially independently of their writing. They would rather win a literary award than be a number-one bestseller. They’d rather write one amazing book than five average books. Their books are often divisive because some people connect deeply with their work while others don’t understand it at all.
The artist-writer is more likely to follow the traditional route to publication so they can draw on the expertise of others to produce high-quality books. They also prefer to pass the responsibility of production and marketing to others, allowing them to focus on their next writing project. Traditional publication also gives the artist-writer a sense of prestige. It helps that traditionally published works are much more likely to be nominated for literary awards.
Alternatively, the artist-writer might be so dedicated to the integrity of their work that they don’t want others to influence it and so decide to self-publish in order to retain complete creative control.
How you can help: This type of writer is looking for an editor who can help them elevate their novel. They want it to be as good as it can be. But they need an editor who connects deeply with their vision. They’re likely to fund editorial input with money earned outside of their publishing ventures, and are aware that their work might not earn them a huge amount (though it might!).
The Career-Writer
This writer earns their living from their creative work. Because it’s extremely difficult to earn enough to live on from writing alone, they probably also teach writing in some way to supplement their income. A career-writer will create a large body of work in their lifetime. They usually work with agents and publishers, who will expect or contract frequent work from them.
For the career-writer, it’s important that they are well-known and sell a lot of books. Because of this, they must be dedicated to producing a lot of new writing, and they must also spend time and effort marketing. They understand that not all their work will be their best work because they simply don’t have the time or resources to make that happen, and they’re okay with that. At the end of the day, they’re making a living doing what they love.
How you can help: You might be commissioned by the career-writer’s publisher, or they might come to you directly for some help with a tricky manuscript. The key here is to help them get their novel to a ‘good enough’ level, as efficiently as possible.
The Entrepreneurial-Writer
This writer is slightly different to the career-writer. Whereas the career-writer spends most of their time focused on writing (and paid activities directly related to the craft of writing), the entrepreneurial writer must spend a lot of time doing tasks related to business management. Career-writers generally work for others (publishers, universities, etc.) whereas entrepreneurial-writers works for themselves – and they love the freedom this gives them.
Entrepreneurial-writers are responsible for the writing, production and marketing of either all or some of their books. They will be either self-publishers or hybrid authors (authors who have some works published traditionally and some works self-published).
Entrepreneurial-writers might also supplement their income through teaching and similar activities, and will often create their own opportunities instead of being hired by external companies. They might host a writing event or webinar, for example – but again the responsibility of managing the event will fall to them. Their writing and publishing ventures might make up a side business, or they might be full-time entrepreneurial writers.
How you can help: The entrepreneurial-writer will hire you directly. If they are experienced, they will have a good idea of the kind of editorial help they need. If they are at the start of their journey, they would likely benefit from some guidance from you around what editorial services will help them achieve their goals (within the budget they have).
The Hobbyist-Writer
Last but by absolutely no means least, there’s the hobbyist-writer. This kind of writer writes for fun, for the love of telling stories. They support themselves financially outside of their writing, and may have a career in a completely different industry. For them, writing is a great way to channel their creativity in their spare time. They might be interested in developing their craft through books and writing courses, or they might prefer to simply write.
The hobbyist-writer might get caught up in all the publishing chatter online and then feel guilty that they’re not taking their writing ‘seriously’ enough. In reality, though, they’re happy to keep their writing to themselves (or share it with friends and family). Perhaps one day they’ll publish something, but this isn’t their main goal. They just enjoy writing, and like doing it whenever they feel the urge.
How you can help: A hobbyist-writer might get in touch with you to help them finish or refine the labour-of-love they are working on. Budgets and goals vary greatly here, so it’s important to listen to exactly what the author wants to achieve.
It helps to know what kind of writer you want to work with
Writing can be a hobby, a side-job or a career. A writer can be one type or a mixture. None of these options is better than the other. There’s no wrong way to be a writer.
But as a freelance editor, it’s useful to know what kind of writer you’re dealing with.
When you know this, you can tailor your services (and offer advice) that best suits that kind of author.
Alternatively, if there’s a kind of author you prefer to work with – because you feel an affinity to their goals, or their goals fit the kind of service you want to provide – you can adapt your marketing to attract this kind of writer.
This one shift in your business can dramatically impact how successful you are, as well as how satisfied and fulfilled your work makes you feel.
