| The answer to that question is yes - every good, | | | | help you find and comply with the proper |
| intelligent author needs an editor. Even the most | | | | submission guidelines posted by publishers and |
| brilliant writers in the world need editors. For a | | | | agents. |
| new, upcoming writer, this can be a critical factor | | | | Editors can also spot more serious problems with |
| in getting published. A good editor can mean the | | | | your manuscript or copy, such as trouble with |
| difference between rejection and acceptance for | | | | consistency and structure. Most editors can be |
| publishing. | | | | sympathetic to your own particular voice and |
| One of the most critical, avoidable mistakes any | | | | style while providing the necessary changes that |
| new writer makes is in failing to provide a | | | | will make your writing salable to publishers and |
| grammatically correct manuscript free of | | | | agents. If an experienced, professional editor tells |
| misspelling and punctuation errors. Too many of | | | | you there is a serious problem with any of these |
| these will ensure that any publishing house or | | | | elements, it's best to listen and work with him or |
| literary agent will simply fill out the form rejection | | | | her to make the necessary changes. Pride has |
| letter and toss your manuscript aside. These | | | | little place in the publishing world, after all. |
| types of errors tell a publisher that the author | | | | When searching for an editor or seeking a |
| lacks attention to detail or the necessary care | | | | proposal, you will generally want to provide the |
| needed for good writing. A professional editor or | | | | prospective editor with the following information: |
| proofreader can easily and quickly edit your | | | | - Word (preferred) or page count |
| manuscript to correct these flaws. Spellcheck is | | | | - Type of work (article, short story, academic |
| not enough. Many times, this tool is incorrect in its | | | | article/essay, novel, e-book, etc.) |
| suggestions and misses critical flaws in your | | | | - Target audience |
| spelling, punctuation and sentence structure. Only | | | | - Deadline for completion of the project |
| a professional editor can polish your manuscript to | | | | - A sample of the text (usually optional, but |
| the level it needs for submission to a publishing | | | | preferred) |
| house or magazine. | | | | In this web-based era, finding someone advertising |
| If you don't use an editor, you risk sending the | | | | editing services is simple. However, not all editors |
| wrong message to your readers or customers. | | | | are equal. While a Master's or a Ph.D. in English is |
| Misspelling and bad grammar make you look | | | | not a critical (or even necessary) element for |
| uneducated, careless and untrustworthy. I've | | | | guaranteeing good editorial services, an excellent |
| clicked away from many websites simply because | | | | track record is. Beware the editor who is |
| the content was full of errors. If I am researching | | | | reluctant to provide references or one that lacks |
| sources for an article or book, the source | | | | published feedback from clients. A good measure |
| becomes questionable if the copy is tainted with | | | | of a quality editor is whether their clients are |
| errors. Any author that wants to be taken | | | | published in magazines, professional or academic |
| seriously needs to submit work that is as polished | | | | journals, or by print publishing houses. |
| and immaculate as possible. | | | | On average, you can expect to pay $20-35.00 |
| A great editor can also clarify and simplify your | | | | per hour for a proofreader, $65-100.00 per hour |
| complex or difficult ideas. Editors gain a wide body | | | | for an editor, and significantly more for a |
| of knowledge simply through the amount of | | | | professional, experienced ghost writer. Most |
| information they read through on a daily basis. An | | | | editors will charge per fee or service; however, |
| experienced editor generally has a good idea of | | | | they generally keep this schedule of hourly rates |
| what you are trying to say and has a concise | | | | in mind when bidding or quoting a project. |
| way of phrasing and structuring your ideas to | | | | One very popular and competitive choice for |
| make them comprehensible and presentable to | | | | writers is or Both of these websites offer very |
| your audience. | | | | competitive pricing by freelance writers. When |
| Editors are also experienced in formatting your | | | | using one of these sites, it is imperative that you |
| manuscript or article. Proper formatting can make | | | | view an editor's feedback and the ratings |
| your reader's job easier and more pleasurable. | | | | received by former clients, which can provide a |
| Writing that is properly divided into appropriate | | | | relatively reliable indicator of skill. However, if you |
| paragraphs, sections and chapters is much easier | | | | choose to base your decision on the lowest bid, it |
| to read than an unformatted or poorly formatted | | | | is wise to remember that you often get what |
| manuscript. Additionally, different publishers have | | | | you pay for. |
| different submission requirements. An editor can | | | | Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved. |