How to find an Editor for your Book?
Why write a book? And why is it important to involve an editor before publishing your works? A book is a conglomeration of your thoughts, feelings and emotions which are unique in nature and you want to share with the world. The story you are writing can never be told by anyone else except you, for no one has walked your journey nor experience your challenges.
Finding an editor is important as you don’t want to deliver a dismal piece of work to your audience. An editor will help to analyse and polish your work so that it is of high quality and can meet the demands of a competitive literature world. They can provide a constructive feedback to your work.
This article will share various steps of writing a book, types of editors and ways to find the best editor for your book
Related Reading: How Words Inspire Change
Steps to writing a Book
To bring forth an excellent book you have to walk these steps.
Have an idea, know the target.
You should have an idea which should be able to answer why you have to write the book. This idea must place you in a position where you know your target audience and if the idea you have can really make them learn and get inspired. Knowing the target will help you know how to formulate a precise and simple message.
Get a writing space
The environment where you write from will have a major impact on your work. You must choose a place where you are able to think freely and deeply so that you don’t miss out on the essence of your story. Find a place which is cool and with no interruptions.
Plan and outline your book
Craft a compelling title which can attract and persuade the readers to read your book. Then define the message you want to pass. At this juncture you must be able to know how many chapters you want, the number of characters and their goals. Outline the structure of your book to ensure the flow and clarity when the real process of writing begins.
Write ,write, Edit
Choose the style that will better tell your story. This should be your first draft so it doesn’t really matter how you go about it. When you are done, give out your manuscript to few people both experts and non experts to read. They will give you feedback both positive and negative. Now write you second draft taking in the recommendations.
The second draft is what you take to the editor. The editor will make the necessary corrections and give you the chance to produce the final copy for publishing.
Types of Editors
Developmental editors
These are editors who help you achieve your main objective because they focus more on the big picture. They look at the plot if it is consistent, the structure of the story if it flows well and the nature of your characters. A developmental editor will help improve the content by shaping the voice of your characters and how they pursue their goals.
Copy editors
Their main role is to refine the manuscript. This they achieve by checking on the consistency of the manuscript, working on the spelling mistakes and punctuation errors. They evaluate the whole manuscript to ascertain there are no grammatical mishaps. Copy editors polish the manuscript to rid it of spelling inaccuracies.
Line editors
Their primary focus is usage of words, the style and language used by the writer. They look at the mood of the manuscript and how the sentences flow. They can point out when certain words are used more than it is necessary and give alternate choice of words. A line editor will help improve the readability of your manuscript by eliminating unnecessary details.
Subject matter expert editors
These are the editors who are knowledgeable in a specific subject area and will offer technical support by fact checking the manuscript to ensure it is within the standards. This is a person you turn into when you need a trustworthy feedback on your content and the technical support for a well refined and quality piece of work
How to find an editor
These are the steps you take when you want to find an editor for your book
Know your budget
Your budget should guide you when choosing an editor. Understand different types of pricing models used by the editors. Some will charge hourly while others will charge based on the whole project. Nevertheless the outcome of the process should ensure a quality work, so you must understand how to compare the value of work the editor brings to the table with your budget.
Evaluate your edit needs
Assess your work and understand your editing needs. Which areas do you need improvement, is it the structure or choice of words? Asking yourself such questions will help you to know what type of an editor to look for.
Analyze the editors expertise
When you have found the list of potential editors, it is now time to assess their experience and certifications from professional editing organizations. Check on their previous projects and how their editorial works have been received by the audience. This is because getting the right editor for your book means you are one step away from success.
Compare the editors style and your goal
Your work is important because it tells a lot about your vision and message to your readers. So it is crucial to find an editor whose style aligns with your vision. They should be able to bring out a refined document but also making sure your work does not lose its original meaning.
Make the selection
Once you are satisfied with all the aforementioned steps, now it is time to pick your editor. First, it is good to agree on the channels of communication. Secondly, write down an agreement which protects both of you. The contract should clearly outline the details of the project and the expected outcomes.
Conclusion
Finding an editor for your book gives you an upper hand in the literature world. An editor will help polish and refine your work to ensure it meets the standards because they are knowledgeable in the industry. An editor will help analyze your book and correct the grammatical errors. They give reassurance that your work is valuable and that you have the potential to become a successful author.
From this comprehensive guide, you have the steps you need to find an editor of your choice, and transform your book into a great masterpiece. Do not fear to embark on your writing journey. Just take the first step, be dedicated and consistent and you will find yourself enjoying it more, you can even make a career and earn from it.