Anyone Know This Site

[Steve C]

Been taking a look at this site The Open Author | David B Lyons and enjoyed the videos posted there.
He provides an editing service and I am tempted to give him a try at some point.
Thought I would ask around here first so any comments would be welcome.

 

[Carol Rose]

Never saw a LITERARY agent called a LITERATURE agent before...

That oddity aside, I don’t recognize his name or any of the names under his Who I’ve Worked With section, which means nothing.

I’d try to find some of the fiction authors on social media or Google to ask them details. If they've worked with him and had a good experience, they won’t mind telling you. If it’s anything else, walk away.

The free videos don’t have anything you can’t find on your own with a quick Google search, so it appears he’s selling himself as an editor. If so, you want recommendations from others as to his skill and ease of working with, just as you’d vet any editor before signing a contract or handing over money.

 

[RK Wallis]

I've seen his videos before (I like him). A quick look on Amazon tells me he's a committed self-published author (with money, because he's set up a publisher under his own name) and he has 3 books published. Those books have 5 star ratings (which really means nothing to me because every reader comes from a different walk of life and reacts differently), so I performed my litmus test; I looked inside. This guy can write, I liked his book (Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake), I may buy it! With Pop Ups, we look at the first 700 words, but he had me in the first two sentences (of that one). I recommend you do your own litmus test; make you're own decision based on his writing. Could you work with his style?

If you go with him, I think he'd have something to say worth listening to. The only comment I'd say is he writes thrillers and that's not really what you're writing (you'd need to be on the ball watching out for that), but he could be a stepping stone for you.

 

[Steve C]

Thanks, RK. I wasn't aware he is a publisher. I read somewhere he signed with Bloodhound Books who are internet publishers I think. They specialise in crime thrillers so may be of interest to @Paul Whybrow Better still, maybe Paul knows something about them?

 

[RK Wallis]

He's not a publisher in the traditional sense. He's just taken self-publishing the extra step (which no doubt costs) and set up a publisher in his own name, probably only for his own books. Any self-publishers out there who can better explain it? Or anyone?

 

[Carol Rose]

A lot of self-publishers set up a publishing company under which to publish their own books. It's for tax purposes. It's not that they are out there publishing others' books. The only thing it costs is the fee to set up an LLC - limited liability corporation.

 

[Carol Rose]

That's great he can write, but not everyone who can write can also edit. I'd still seek out past clients of his and ask how he was to work for, as well as their opinion on his skill level as an editor, since that's what he's selling. I've seen far too many authors think they can write and edit for others, but those are very different skill sets. Being able to do one well does not automatically mean you can do the other equally well.

 

[Jackson Banks]

His submission package (179) is below average in terms of cost and that is attractive. But as Carol pointed out, a good writer does not equate to a good editor. I then compared his manuscript review services to others and again its about 50 pound difference of savings on average.
I think I would pay the extra 50 quid or so and go with a more experienced editor with better known clients. It all depends of course on what you are actually seeking.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

David B Lyons has a well-designed website, which it looks like he created. As we've previously commented on the Colony, it's easier to make a living selling services to authors, just as more profit was made by stores selling miners equipment and food in gold rushes.

References from authors who've used him would help. I wonder how communicative he is, how much he explains why he made alterations to your manuscript. Proof of the pudding is in the eating: what if your edited story still didn't find a home after another round of querying? A manuscript can be immaculately edited, but if the premise of the story doesn't appeal to readers it's wasted money. But, how do you decide what will grab readers' attention? In 1997, wizard stories were dead in the water, but then someone decided to take a chance on J.K. Rowling.

 

[Steve C]

References from authors who've used him would help. I wonder how communicative he is, how much he explains why he made alterations to your manuscript.

To be fair there are numerous authors references on the site. I don't believe he made them up, do you? He is currently on holiday but has offered to have a chat next week so should learn more then.

 

[Carol Rose]

No one is saying he made them up, @Steve C. @Paul Whybrow and I are merely suggesting you talk to those authors, if you can find them (it isn't always easy to find an author who has decided not to blog or have a social media presence), about how easy this man is to work with, whether they were satisfied with his work product, etc. The same way you'd get references for anything. Home repairs, car repairs, etc.

There are no standards for advertising yourself as an editor or a book coach. Anyone can do that. You and I could each do it.

Authors have been tricked, or at best very disappointed, by people advertising these types of services because those authors didn't take the time to vet a person before handing over money.

We're only trying to help you here. What you do with that advice is, of course, up to you.

 

[Steve C]

Thanks Carol. Will do as you suggest and dig a bit deeper. I am in no rush.