Editing with Sanchari Das

Sanchari Das is a book editor, beta-reader, ARC Reviewer, book cover designer, and self-published author based in India.

In your experience, what qualities make a professional editor?

• Excellent grasp over the language

• An eye for details

• Is appreciative

• Values constructive criticism

• Is highly organized

• Knows the readers or the target audience and their needs

• Is flexible and open to discussion

• Is respectful to other's opinion

• Has collaborative qualities

Why do you like working with indie authors and what has been your most rewarding project till date?

With indie authors, I feel like I can connect better with the stories, understand the tone, the expressions and the emotions, which enables me to put my editing hat to work in a meticulous fashion.

The most rewarding project was the one that I did for the book published by a literary organization with which I'm intimately connected. For, it felt personal, emotionally engaging and something too close to my heart.

In your experience, how does beta-reading help produce good stories?

Well, as authors, we are not the best judge of out works. And sometimes it may so happen that in our love for our brainchild, we tend to ignore its flaws, which are later caught by the readers. Beta-reading helps prevent this as Beta-readers experience the stories through the readers' eyes and offer their genuine suggestions to the author, which help them see their story from someone else's perspective and then work on it to make it a little better than what it was.

Sometimes when I read a published work, I get this feeling of suggesting ways to make it a little better. Beta-reading gives me that exact opportunity where I get to work directly with the authors and take their book to the next level.

What is your editing, beta-reading & book reviewing process?

For Editing, I first brush through the book at a glance. Then, in the second reading I begin to jot down the points and suggest the changes that I think might make the book a little better. I correct the tiny mistakes on the way and discuss the big ones with the author. Then, I give it a final check with the third reading before submitting my work.

My beta-reading process consists of three readings. I read it first at a glance to know and understand the story. Then, I read it with keen eyes and try to draw out every little suggestions that I can offer as a reader. I make notes on the document itself with my suggestion and feedbacks which I later send to the author. Along with that I prepare a general beta-reading question and answer to answer the general queries that a write may have about their book. Sometimes, I pen down my feelings and experience with the book as a reader so that the writers can derive their own conclusions from it. I also make a list of beautiful quotes from the book that I found to be quite precious while reading it. I also work on the additional beta-reading works that the writer needs me to undertake. Finally, I submit my work and do a final reading once the author had worked on all the suggestions and produced the final copy.

For the book review, I receive a copy from the author and start reading. I make little notes and mark out the precious quotes along the way. I take note of the tone, narration, plotline, character, mystery and other important aspects while reading the book. I wait a day after I finish reading to let all that sink in. And then, I weave out my review based on all the points and notes that I made during the reading as well as on the emotions I experienced in my journey. Finally, I garnish my review with a few of the beautiful quotes that I had collected on the ride. I then, post it on all my social media channels.

In your experience, what qualities make a professional book review stand out from a general book review?

I think a professional book reviewer reads a book through the eyes of both a reader and a writer. They experience the book as a reader but also keep in mind the enormous task of writing and publishing a book that falls on the author's shoulder. And that understanding reflects on their book review, where they neither lead the readers astray nor bash the authors, but produce a genuine work that maintains the interest of both the parties. Professional book reviewers know how to appreciate the author and their work, put across their own unbiased views without hurting the author's sentiments or disrespecting their opinions and finally how to appeal to the readers and encourage them to pick up the book for an amazing ride through it.

I love reading books. And whenever I read one, I have this intense desire to run to the author and appreciate them on the great work they produced as well as suggest the fellow readers to read it, lest they miss out on this amazing opportunity. Book Reviewing enables s me to do just that. But writing a book review allows me to enjoy the book twice, once while reading it and then again while writing about it.

What are your interests and hobbies outside editing, beta-reading & book reviewing?

Reading, writing, narrating, painting, designing and photography.

With a heart beaming with creativity, Sanchari is ever ready to embark upon new ventures, explore what more she is capable of and discover all the hidden sides to her personality. With a positive attitude towards life, she is now on her way to broaden her perspectives that would pave the way towards the growth of her mind and soul, and push her towards becoming a better version of herself.