Editor: Tyler Tichelaar

Company Name: Superior Book Productions

How long editor for: Since 2007

1. What is your background in editing?

I have a BS and MA in English from Northern Michigan University and a PhD from Western Michigan University in English. I taught at the university level for several years. I also worked as a proofreader and book reviewer at Marquette Monthly Magazine, as a book reviewer and editor for Reader Views, and a proofreader for the Health & Happiness UP Magazine. I became a self-published author in 2006. After that, people wanted my help getting their books published so I branched out into editing in 2007, established Superior Book Productions in 2008, and became self-employed full time in 2009. Since then, I have edited more than 500 books.

2. How long have you been editing for this publishing company?

I edit primarily for self-published authors but have also done editing for smaller traditional publishers on a project-by-project basis.

3. What do you edit for this publishing company?

I have edited a wide variety of books including self-help and personal development, business and leadership books, health and wellness, history, and fiction (mysteries, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, etc.)

4. Is there anything specific you hope to see when deciding whether or not to accept a manuscript?

I prefer a complete manuscript. I don’t do ghostwriting, but I will do some developmental editing and writing in of transitions to help the author fill in places where the manuscript might need more material.

5. What are some common mistakes you see in manuscripts?

Authors who try too hard to sound smart by using big words when a small word will do. The primary goal of writing is to communicate, not to impress or confuse the reader. Others include subject-pronoun agreement issues, sentence fragments, and wordiness.

6. Are there any editing goofs you tend to overlook in manuscripts?

Other than the occasional typo I might miss, issues only tend to happen if the author is discussing something I’m not familiar with. For example, if I don’t fully understand the subject matter, I might miss something factual that is incorrect. However, I have a tendency to look up everything to try to avoid any errors, and I will often recommend authors consult an expert in their field to read the manuscript if there is something out of my area of expertise. Anything I don’t understand, I will let the author know so they can rewrite to make it more comprehensible for their readers.

7. How do you work with an author as their editor?

I usually do two complete edits of the manuscript. I write comments for the author so they understand why I make certain changes or where I think something more needs to be done on their end. After they make revisions, I go through and edit the revisions. The author and I may go back and forth several times with the manuscript before we are in agreement it is finished. Then I will do the proofreading. After that, I am still involved after the manuscript goes to the layout person, reviewing the proofs with the author to catch things they may not know to look for.

8. Have you ever had a negative experience with an author? If so, how was it resolved?

Seldom has an author been in any way unhappy with the work I have done. Usually, if a problem occurs, it is that the author goes outside the boundaries of the terms we agreed to, adding extra text to the manuscript and then not wanting to pay me to do additional work I didn’t initially agree to. In these cases, we usually negotiate to come up with something we can both agree to since I will not abandon an author in the middle of a project. Once I take on an author, I am committed to helping them finish their book and get it published.

9. What happens if an author does not agree with your suggestions?

Ultimately, the book belongs to the author, so they have the final say on it. If I disagree with them, I will explain to them why and let them decide. If they still disagree, I might adamantly warn them that not changing something might hurt the book’s sales, especially if it will offend people on topics of race, gender, politics, or religion, but ultimately, it remains the author’s decision.

10. How long does it typically take you to work through edits on a manuscript when going on the first round of edits?

Typically, a first edit of a manuscript will take about three weeks, but it just depends on the length of the manuscript and the level of editing needed. If the author is an accomplished writer, the editing may only take a few days. If English is not their first language, I may end up rewriting every sentence, in which case it will take longer.

11. Do you feel that it’s important to have a background as a professional editor before becoming an editor at a publishing company?

I believe anyone who has been an English major, knows the rules of grammar and punctation, and is able to catch inconsistencies can be a good editor. They also must be prepared to work on long projects. Having written a dissertation, MA thesis, novel, or other book-length manuscript themselves will help in this matter since it shows an ability to stick with a project for the long haul.

12. Are there any books or editing courses you recommend to anyone who wishes to pursue editing professionally?

Every editor should be familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style and hopefully the other style books. I am myself the author of The Nomad Editor: Living the Lifestyle You Want, Doing Work You Love, which is designed to help people who want to become freelance editors. I would recommend getting a degree in English or journalism, but it is not absolutely necessary. Many short-term programs and seminars are now available for people to brush up on their editing skills.

ABOUT TYLER:

Tyler R. Tichelaar is an author, editor, and scholar. Tyler began Superior Book Productions in 2008. He left academia to focus on writing his own books, and once he began publishing them, he had many other authors approach him for help with editing their books. As a result, a new career and company were launched.

Tyler has a PhD in Literature from Western Michigan University, and bachelor’s and master’s Degrees from Northern Michigan University. For twelve years, Tyler served as vice-president and then president on the board of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association. He is also the former guest co-host of Authors Access Internet Radio.

Tyler began writing his first novel at age sixteen in 1987. In 2006, he published his first novel, Iron Pioneers: The Marquette Trilogy, Book One. Twenty-three more books have followed. In 2008, Tyler won first place in the historical fiction category in the Reader Views Literary Awards for his novel Narrow Lives (2008). He has since sponsored that contest, offering the Tyler R. Tichelaar Award for Historical Fiction. In 2011, Tyler was awarded the Marquette County Outstanding Writer Award, and the same year, he received the Barb Kelly Award for Historical Preservation for his efforts to promote Marquette history. Two of his novels, Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, The Man and Odin’s Eye: A Marquette Time Travel Novel have been named UP Notable Books. Tyler writes on such diverse topics as nineteenth-century Gothic fiction, historical fantasies about King Arthur, and writing and editing, including The Nomad Editor. He has many more books in the works.