Millions of writers worldwide publish a book every year. Everyone has a different experience on their journey and learns many things on the way. At some point, it gets difficult for every writer, whether experienced or writing their first novel.
One can overcome the hardships of writing somehow. However, when it comes to multiple revisions and editing sessions for your work, one is bound to get exhausted. After all, you can only figure out much room for betterment in your work.
At last, every writer realizes the need for an editor to improve their work. It is one of the most important services a writer can solicit. However, it is not easy to find an editor that understands your work, tone, and style of writing and helps you without affecting the core essence of your work.
If you think you need the help of an editor to improve your work but are unsure where to begin, here are a few essential tips that can help you.
1. Seek Experience in Your Industry
More than a million books are published every year. Of course, not all of these books have different topics and niches. One can be a fictional love story, and the other a tragic memoir. With a few exceptions, it is unlikely for one writer to write such diverse work.
Similarly, when it comes to hiring a reliable editor, every editor with good reviews is not enough to help you improve your work. For example, if you are writing a specific self-help book for architects, you need the help of an editor who has worked in the same niche before to ensure their reliability.
When your editor has subject matter expertise, they can also take less time to get the job done. They will not need to spend hours understanding complex jargon and scientific terms. With a basic understanding of the industry, they will also likely keep your core intentions intact.
As a writer, you can also forget the burden of training your editor about the work. When they have already worked in a similar niche, you can sit back and relax to let your editor do their job. If you have a problem, you can talk it out easily. Additionally, partnering with experienced writing services in Singapore to help you achieve high quality output.
2. Ask for a Sample Edit
One of the worst fears for any writer is to end up with an inexperienced or incompatible editor. After all, the integrity of their precious work is on the line. If you have the same fear, there is good news for you.
Luckily, you do not have to hire an editor based on blind trust and hope for everything to go right. Instead, you can ask most editors for sample edits. Some editors can share their expertise with you by editing 500-1000 words from your manuscript.
It gives you an opportunity to access the editing skills of potential editors. You can ask multiple editors for their samples and compare them side by side. But before you ask the potential editor for a work sample, remember that some editors may give it for free, and others may charge.
In addition, some editors may ask you for the whole manuscript and choose a section to edit. Meanwhile, others can work on the section of your choice. In either case, a part of your manuscript is enough to access the needed skills.
You must choose an editor whose styles align with yours. Just these few words are enough for a writer to access the compatibility of an editor. You can see if they can provide the edits you need for your work.
3. Write a Synopsis
It is not an easy process to find a compatible editor for your work. After all, the relationship between a writer and editor is more than what you may think. It is a partnership that can go a long way and ensure the benefit of both parties involved.
As a writer, your job does not end when you write the last line of your manuscript and shut down your laptop. Instead, it is just the beginning of another step. After you have given a few revisions to your work, it’s time to summarize it.
You may think writing a few thousand words to summarize your book is easy, but it is not as simple. Some writers may take days or weeks to complete a satisfactory synopsis. Once you are happy with your synopsis, it can help you find a compatible editor and reach out to publication houses.
A well-written book synopsis can help the editor understand your plot and characters and get better. It can also help the editor figure out any inconsistencies in the plot and finalize if they are a compatible match with your work.
4. Access the Time Management Skills
The process of writing cannot be rushed. Every writer, editor, and critic can agree to that. However, every writer is also pressed by the ticking clock at the same time. After all, unexpected delays can affect their content schedule and reputation as responsible writers.
As mentioned earlier, a writer and the editor are partners working together to make a book successful. Whether it’s a delay from your side or the editor’s, it can have bad consequences for your work. Therefore, it is important to ensure your editor takes their deadlines seriously.
If your editor does not work with good time management skills, they are also more likely to burn out. When someone faces burnout, they are more likely to overlook important details and make avoidable mistakes.
When you give your editor a deadline, ensure it’s not too tight. Every editor has varying skills, and they work at their own pace. Ensure they can create a healthy balance of their professional and personal lives to avoid burnout.
5. Vet a List
It is unlikely for a writer to meet the ideal editor in the first go. They have to interview many potential editors, review hundreds of work samples, and then create a list of all potential editors to weigh the pros and cons.
Yes, making a readable and editable list is important to ensure you choose the right option at the day’s end.
Once your list comes down to 8-10 candidates, you can explore their work, profiles, and reviews more to ensure you come up with the right answer.
