Having discussed the cumbersome writing process in detail, one may think, if the writer does all that, then the book is final.
This is what a lot of us have been doing in this tech world, but is it right? Is it okay? Is your book really final and ready for the world? Remember publishing is making available for the world.
Questions about getting an Editor
- Is there any need for an editor?
- Why do I still need to get published elsewhere?
- Will an editor not mess up my work?
- They can’t edit my work because my style is unique.
- This is perfect, my language is good.
There are a lot of questions and thoughts that one may come up with, especially in this fast world where people need instant results. People have also been accustomed to DIY, but does this work in publishing.
Getting published like we discussed in the post WHAT IS PUBLISHING is a process.
The writing process has also been discussed, to which we must all agree by now that it is indeed a long process.
Moving on, WHY DO I NEED AN EDITOR after undertaking the cumbersome writing process?
The Roles of an Editor
When writing is complete, the author submits a finished manuscript to the editor – if this was a commissioned author, if not, the hunt for an editor begins, if not yet identified in advance.
The editor’s job is to assess if the author’s manuscript meets what was agreed upon or what is expected of it. Think of this as your college project supervisor. This person will hardly bother about checking your grammar and spelling, but they will focus on the content and flow of your dissertation topic. They want to see if it makes sense, does it satisfy the need? Is it relevant? Etc. I’m not an academic but those of you who have passed through college can relate.
Likewise, this is the role of the editor. They are there to assess your manuscript’s worth. They’re concerned about the quality of the manuscript. The misconception has been to think that all that the editors do is to dot the is and cross the ts. That is the role of the proof-reader. We will discuss in detail about the different types of editors or editing stages in our next post.
Your editor will give you the much needed professional publishing advice – format, the book’s extent, layout, fonts. You will get your book packaging options from your editor. Your editor knows the best cover and paper quality for your intended book. They also know the right size for both your audience and your budget. They even know how to digitally package your book in case you do not want to print.
An editor helps transform your book into what you envision. They will set the pace and tone of your manuscript, checking inconsistencies, plotholes (no I said plot holes), character development, structure, etc.
For fiction books, your editor will ensure that your readers will root for the underdog that you intend them to like.
Basically, the Editor connects the author and the reader.
Getting an editor is an act of hiring the most informed, attentive, critical, knowledgeable and helpful person who strives for your book to be a success.
Editing helps the author polish their manuscript into the best possible version.
That sounds awesome I think!
What are the advantages of getting an Editor?
A great book comes from good editing. A professional editor does more than just correct mistakes; they can help you turn lead into gold!
Editors work with writers and help their stories and ideas succeed by offering comments, advice, and encouragement on ways to improve. They may also suggest headlines and titles that might strike a reader’s attention.
An editor allocates space for the illustrations, text, and photos that make up the material for the story and approve final versions of the work.
8 advantages for hiring a professional editor
- You get the best book/product
- Help perfect your writing
- Improve language use
- Saves you frustration
- Saves you time
- Verification of facts
- An objective and fresh pair of eyes
- A creative mind
Editors read content and correct grammatical errors, spelling, and punctuation. They may rewrite the text so an audience may easily understand what has been written. Their job is simply to produce the best and relevant book for the intended audience.
I hope this helps if not, I’m only an email away. Questions can also be left here in the comments section to benefit others too. Meet me in our next article, Different types of editors or the different editing stages but I will only do that if I get reasons other than the ones listed above, on why you think you should hire an editor for your writing project. Let me hear it from you. Till we meet again, stay safe.