"Robert
Buckland is a superb editor and effective literary agent. He has helped
me edit, design and publish three books and literally transformed my
writing - truly translating my thoughts into print - then recently
oversaw the development of my commercial website. If you want to
communicate effectively through the medium of language, ask for
Robert's help. You can't go wrong."
~
Dr. Barry Lycka, MD FRCP
Edmonton, Alberta
OCEAN COOPERATIVE ANNOUNCES
THE SUMMER 2007
NOVEL OF PROMISE AWARD
“Publishers
need to see this work, though it may be too much for the
weaker among them. Is it gangsta lit? Erotica? Romance? It’s all of
these, in fact, but first and foremost a galloping historical ride
through the bowels of nineteenth-century America.
The Squalor of Dreams smacks your face with race,
prostitution, abortion, godlessness, love and hope.
The voice of its protagonist, Lala Concepcion King, is going to stick
with you.”
Judge for yourself.
The Announcement
Read the winning chapter
Read an interview
with Nicki Alexander
If
you're working on
a book manuscript or perhaps contemplating a book-writing project, do
come in. I think you'll find this site both interesting and useful --
especially useful if you're hoping to avoid being misled by the
proliferation of editing and publishing agencies on the internet. But
whether you read this entire page or not, you have nothing to lose by
picking up your telephone right now and speaking to me directly.
Writing and editing are highly personal services. Let's talk about it.
1-888-377-7007
JANUARY 2007 PRESS
RELEASE
JULY 2007 PRESS RELEASE
Who
am I?
Like
you, I write.
But my own writing is subordinated to my work with other authors. Some
of these have signed contracts with publishers and have received
advances. Some are struggling through the long process of creating a
book. Some are wondering if they should begin.
When
I started an
on-line editing service in the middle 90s, there were only a few dozen
of us in the world. Now the web offers thousands of "editors" eager for
your business and, frankly, it's difficult to tell who's who from the
mere appearance of their web sites. In response, I've gradually taken
more contracts with publishers, as in the last year, during which I've
written or edited three books for Random House.
But
I've never
lost my interest in working with new authors. I guess, somewhere
inside, I have a teacher's heart (but without a teacher's union). And
as the publishing environment has changed, I've responded by creating
the Ocean Cooperative Literary Agency to extend a hand to authors in
search of the holy grail: a published book.
Here's
a CV, if you feel that'll help.
Who
Are You?
I
base my
observations on the thousands of people who have contacted me over the
years and the hundreds who have become my clients. You may recognize
yourself as resembling one of three groups of people whom I hear from.
The
seeker of validation
You have written a book or part of a book and want only that someone
should say something nice about it. The good news for you is that there
are thousands of agencies and "editing" services out there who want to
say nice things. More soberingly, they want you to pay them to say
these things.
The
seeker of knowledge
You have formed the opinion that writing is teachable and learnable --
something not unlike learning to play the piano -- and you want to
learn. This is a small, rather exclusive group, but working with such
people is a joyful experience for someone like me.
The seeker of publishing success
If you're one of these pragmatic souls you're not hoping to be a better
writer. You're hoping to get your damn book published and I don't blame
you. We work together to see it accomplished.
What
Do I Do?
At
first, I
worked exclusively as an editor. This grew in time into a deeper
involvement with some clients: I became a writing mentor, a coach, a
guide, sometimes almost a writing partner.
But
the
publishing world is so much changed in recent years, I found myself
drawn into expanded roles. I began to construct book proposals for my
authors. I began to use my design skills for covers. I organized
self-publishing ventures and web promotions.
Through
all
this, though, the pleasure of working with and encouraging writers
never diminished.
How
Do You
Choose?
I
don't envy you
the task. It's extremely difficult to tell a real editor and writing
mentor from the many "editing" services that are vying for your money.
Here are a few pointers.
The
English language is not a computer component.
I'm all for multiculturalism and globalization, but the fact is, few
people who acquire English as something other than their mother tongue
can ever hope to properly edit English writing. Needless to say, such
aspiring editors offer their services at awfully low rates. Alas, you
can't learn to fly from a blind pilot, even if he's been to navigation
school. As far as reasonably possible, choose only editors with whom
you can communicate directly -- not through an intermediary company --
and whose direct correspondence suggests that they are fluent native
speakers of English.
The
editor is not a sausage machine.
Watch out for the "by the word" services. Yes, some legitimate editors
charge by the page, but this policy is best applied to simple line
editing. Think about it. Many writers of both fiction and non-fiction
are troubled by structural problems. Everyone has a unique approach.
How can this be addressed by the word, or even by the page?
Avoid shock therapy.
Make sure you'll be able to monitor the process of your editor or
guide. You certainly don't want to open up his big surprise when he's
done and discover he took the wrong approach.
Check the poke for a pig.
Insist on a sample of your editor's work on your
writing before he or she begins. If something more
than editing is involved, your prospective writing coach should be
prepared to devote some free time to understanding your work and at the
very least discussing it with you. If a writing consultant is unwilling
to do this, you can be sure that person is trawling for easy catches.
Try not to be one of them.
Decorations and medals?
Some on-line editing services make a big deal out of the academic
credentials their editors are supposed to have. No doubt many do have
these credentials. Unfortunately, writing and editing skills are not
strongly correlated with academic degrees. Take my word for it: I've
been editing doctoral dissertations for years. If you are concerned
about your editor's ability before you see his or her work, your only
realistic hope is to contact his or her former clients. Any experienced
editor has enough of these that some will be willing to testify. For
the record, I'm a graduate of McGill University, Montreal.
The artist as editor
Some editors and mentors boast about their own publishing records. It
goes without saying that a published writer may have something valuable
to offer. But again, consider the claim carefully: you're not asking
this person to write their book for you. You're asking them to help you
write yours. They may be psychologically equipped
to do this, or they may be entirely unsuited for a nurturing
relationship of this sort
How
Do I Work?
My
own system
evolved through my years of work on the internet with many hundreds of
clients.
I
always provide
a free sample of my work on my prospective client's writing project.
I
only charge
for my time.
I
only do as
much at any one time as my client requests: it can be one hour or many
hours.
I
receive the
submission electronically, am paid electronically and return the work
electronically. These processes are instantaneous. That's the beauty of
the internet and my clients and I take full advantage of it. We both
know at all time exactly where we stand.
Where
Do We Go
from Here?
If
you're in
North America, call me for free. Otherwise, e-mail me. I strive to
respond immediately to everyone and we'll talk about your project.
Send
me a
excerpt of your work (if you've already begun) and tell me what you
hope for. I'll attend to it right away.
Call
me!
Robert
Buckland
My office
telephone number is (613) 659-3666
You can call me toll-free from anywhere in North
America at
1-888-377-7007
You can e-mail me at: words@oceancooperative.com
You can write me
at: 640 Sand Bay
Road, Lansdowne, Ontario, Canada K0E 1L0