Professional Book Editors Maryland Hiring Guide

By Anthony Thomas


There are good books and then the great thrillers. It takes professional book editors Maryland to produce the thrillers. Unknown to many authors, an editor will either make or break your career. This calls for great caution when hiring one. You must know what to expect and how to handle the interactions.

All writers begin from a point of skepticism when the manuscript is complete. One is uncertain that the manuscript will not be accepted or the comments given will be negative. The negative comments given by an editor could kill your dream of ever being a writer. You could also be uncertain whether the script is fit for a third eye view. If you are the confident writer, you think that hiring an editor is a waste of time.

Authors must realize that editing gives an independent mind the opportunity to look at your work. It is not about paying a person with a degree in language or English to make disparaging remarks about your manuscript. Surprisingly, even the highest schooled English professor will still require editing services. You give an expert who is aware of the journey of a writer from developing an idea into drafting it and finally producing a book that can sell. The best approach is to view him as a coach who will bring out the best in you.

Begin by being the editor. Do not assume that the editor will be doing all the heavy lifting. This is likely to leave your manuscript with distorted ideas and misinformation. Your focus should be on capturing the main story as opposed to the editor who could be looking for grammatical errors. This story must be told in the least number of words possible.

Editors come in different shades, all of whom need to look at your book. The manuscript critic focuses on your story and the big picture. Interest is on pacing, plot, point of view, people and perspective. He ushers in the comprehensive editor whose interest is wordiness of your writing, the rhythm, transitions and language.

It is mandatory for all books to go through the copy editor. His thorough approach to editor has seen him being referred to as Sentence Level Editor. The editor is interested in your grammar, typos, syntax, spelling mistakes and consistency. The copy editor is also responsible for identifying areas that may raise legal issues. This editor can take a huge chunk off your work. You should therefore be prepared for this.

Editing is a process that requires intense communication. Build a partnership where you ask questions and respond promptly whenever the editor makes inquiries. Editing feels like cutting chunks of your flesh. It is also very involving and an empowering endeavor. Ask questions as soon as possible before the editor forgets. Provide ample room to have your work edited.

The beauty of working with professionals is that you can bank on their expertise and experience. They have seen numerous works and understand the market better. Trust that the process will produce the best manuscript. Even when you disagree, it must not get personal. When all is said and done, remember that working with professionals helps you to also improve your skills and become a better writer.




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