Editors for Webcomics?

[okellymx]

How many of you creators have an editor? Should I just forget about an editor? I can afford one but I could also use that money for art classes.

[Strontium]

I'm an editor, although not like a professional one, but I do it for webcomics. Currently I edit a comic called Wanderer that has just re-launched. I previously edited comic work by an artist named Hannako Lambert, who in turn edited my comic.

I think editors are good at the beginning, when your comic instincts are still being developed. If you have bad comic habits that slip past your notice, having an editor to double check for them is helpful too. I had the bad habit of putting the thumb on the wrong side of the hand, and thanks to my editor I now have more awareness to check for that on my own.

An editor might also be helpful if you want to restart a comic or retool the beginning of a comic. They can help you get aligned with the vision you want to create and prevent you from making the same mistakes.

Some editors might just edit for art and some just for writing. I do both because I'm trained in both. I'd be happy to take on another comic but for money of course. DM me for details.

[donathinfrye]

I think editors are worth it, particularly if you have the money or can work out a trade. As an editor, I personally love helping people realize the best version of their story. I enjoy the collaborative process and contributing to someone's success. As a writer, I've been pushed by editors and found the end result better than what my story had been before the editor. This can largely depend on the editor(s) you work with.

If you're the sort of person who really enjoys collaboration and you have the resources, I'd highly recommend working with an editor. I've done some gigs on trade (typically trade for art) and some paid (usually depending on the size of the project per week), and I know a lot of writer/editors work in a similar fashion.

On the other hand, if you feel most confident when allowed to brew something up on your own, no other voices to confuse the mad vision you have for your idea -- and I know some folks who really do work best that way -- then that's okay too. The downside to any collaboration is that you might not work well with someone, which can be frustrating.

And so a third option is to try a smaller project (before committing to something bigger in scope) with someone that you're interested in developing a potential collaborative relationship with. I do a lot of short comics for that reason, and it's a great way to get to know new people and see how well you work together!

[okellymx]

Thanks, I really just gathering information. I tried writing smaller stories but I felt like I was forcing myself to do something I didn't care for. Even though I know I could probably get by with what I have now I kind of don't want to do that. The only thing I'm worried about is not starting this and end up getting bored before I even draw a single page.

[kambreapratt]

My husband is the artist on our comic and he used to work professionally as a newspaper editor. So that helps. We have talked a few times about getting a comic editor. We know some who are friends, so maybe down the road, or on some stand alone GN projects we will bring someone on to help.

[AlkseeyaKC]

I am HORRID at spelling and grammar. I was in Special Education for it in my schooling years. So having an Editor is REALLY important for me. I have a good friend online that helps me, Now and then I do art for her or buy her Steam games in thanks.
If my comic gets bigger and I can make pages faster, I want to pay her something for the work.

[okellymx]

Thank you everyone for the replies, they are really helpful.

[AlkseeyaKC]

Always happy to help!! Good luck on your art and comics!

[sarrowsmith10]

The team that I work with that does Goblins of Razard would kill to have a real editor. We sort of just make due with beta readers and hope they pick up on the errors so we can fix them. It's not the best system, but we do the best we can with the resources we have.

Editors can catch stuff at all stages of production. From a character missing a design element (our main character has his sword disappear then reappear at his waist, it was an accident that I didn't notice), to typos, to formatting (dialogue bubbles getting cut off during printing sucks, etc), to plot holes in the story. Editors can do a ton of work on a comic, whether webcomic or traditional print.

[ratique]

My husband is my editor. Since English is not my first language I tend to write pretty basic conversations. He helps making it more interesting and additionally fixes mistakes.

It's definitely worth it, but I would try to work together with a friend or family member. Unless you can make a good amount of money with your comic, it makes no sense to spend a lot of money on someone else.