FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: What is collaborative editing?

The word collaborate means "to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort" (so collaborative = cooperative, synergetic), but collaborate can also mean "to cooperate with an enemy." Authors and editors are sometimes portrayed as enemies, but I prefer to see editing as a partnership, inspiring teamwork between could-be adversaries.

Depending on the manuscript itself, I edit on the following levels:

1) What must change: material that is incorrect (format, grammar, spelling, punctuation); inaccurate (facts, historical details, contradictions); or improper (offensive, libelous, defamatory).

2) What should/could change: suggestions concerning style, flow, word choice, sentence and paragraph structure.

3) Suggestions about the overall work itself (plot, setting, characters, pace, tone, themes).

4) Steadfast attention to maintaining Clarity, Conciseness and Consistency.

I edit mainly hard copy, usually marking the work for correction and offering suggestions, but leaving the client (publisher or author) to make final decisions. However, if hired to do so, I make the actual changes to the word processing document for the client. I prefer to work directly with the author: discussing (usually by phone with no phone charges to US-residents) various aspects of the work. If I'm unsure what an author is trying to convey, I may ask questions to clarify the situation, then brainstorm ways to correct/improve problem areas.

I'm interested in—and enjoy editing—a wide variety of subjects, including but certainly not limited to: history, animals, self-help and psychology, spirituality, humor, science fiction and fantasy, as well as most environmental and social issues. I especially love historical fiction and have extensive knowledge about the American West in the latter half of the nineteenth century, including wide research on Native American life and culture. But I always love it when editing brings me to read and learn about new peoples and places, eras and events.

If I work for you, I'll be honest—and I'm often tough—but I'm fair, and I'm kind. As an author myself, I know how difficult it can be to receive critique—especially when it involves more work on something I felt was finished! Knowing first-hand how vulnerable an author is, I'm well aware how important it is to work with an editor who has the author's best interests in mind. I believe in encouraging and empowering other writers, sharing what I've learned and pressing them to do the best work they can. Most people I've edited say they "learned a lot about writing" during our process and felt they were better writers afterwards.

Question: What books has Vicki Werkley edited?

ABALONE PUBLISHING COMPANY (Half Moon Bay CA)
Historical Fiction:
Page Street by Mark J. Boskovich	1993
BEAGLE BAY BOOKS (Reno NV) www.beaglebay.com
Historical Fiction:
Captain Mary, Buccaneer by Jacqueline Church Simonds	2000
The Witch from the Sea by Lisa Jensen	2001
Mahalo, My Love by Ida Hills	2002
Non-Fiction (Self-Help):
Monster Lies: A Woman's Guide to Controlling Her Destiny                   by Sally Franz & Jennifer Webb	2002
COASTSIDE GRAPHICS PUBLICATIONS (Mendocino CA) www.coastsidegallery.com
Non-Fiction (Art Book with History):
MENDOCINO: A Painted Pictorial by Kevin Milligan                  (V. H. Werkley also co-author of the historical text)	2003/2005
HAVEN BOOKS (N. Hollywood CA) www.havenbooks.net
Fiction ("The Milford-Haven Series"):
What the Heart Knows by Mara Purl                Benjamin Franklin Award – Adult Fiction – Silver	1997/1999/2005
Closer Than You Think by Mara Purl                EVVY Award – Fiction – Gold	1998/2006
Child Secrets by Mara Purl	1999/2007
Cause and Conscience by Mara Purl	2000
Nobody's Fault by Mara Purl	2001
Christmas Angels (Milford-Haven short stories) by Mara Purl                CIPA Merit Book	2003/2005
Non-Fiction (Drama/Acting):
ACT RIGHT: A Manual for the On-Camera Actor                   by Erin Gray & Mara Purl                EVVY Award – Non-Fiction – Gold	1998/2002
LOST COAST PRESS (Fort Bragg CA) www.cypresshouse.com
Non-Fiction (Biography):
The Man Behind the Miracle by Madeline Hartmann	1999
SUMMIT PUBLISHING www.summitpublishing.org
Non-Fiction (Health Care/Nutrition):
Tomorrow's Health for Today's Family:                   A Groundbreaking Guide to Better Health for                   You and Your Community in the 21st Century                   by Douglas J. Ratner, M.D.                  (V. H. Werkley also responsible for book design,                   page layout, art direction, and cover design                  [in conjunction with Klaver Design])	2006
ALSO: Served as an editorial consultant for Science Fiction Television Series: Episode Guides, Histories, and Casts and Credits for 62 Prime Time Shows, 1959 through 1989 by Mark Phillips and Frank Garcia; McFarland & Co., Inc. Publishers; 1996 ("Starman" segment).
Since 1991 Vicki Werkley has served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning and internationally distributed Blue Lights Newsletterzine from BLUE LIGHTS PUBLICATIONS (Sacramento CA). This publication is currently on hiatus. www.starmanet.com

Question: What does Collaborative Editing cost?

Rates are negotiable, depending on the project and usually run between $1-$5 per double-spaced, typewritten page. Unfortunately, I am unable to accept anything that is not typed, but I can probably connect a client with affordable typing services (including electronic preparation of a manuscript), if needed.

For more info about collaborative editing, its costs and/or a quote, contact Vicki:

(Please put "VHW" in the subject line of your email so it isn't deleted as spam.)
or call: 707-995-1228.