When to look for and use an editor

Are you looking for an editor?

Wondering what you should be doing after you have completed your manuscript…

There are several things you should be doing first.

Do you have on hand a dictionary, thesaurus, grammar book? These books will and can make your writing better, especially before your manuscript sees the light of day.

If your writing audience is in the USA, two pet peeves for USA-based editors the words (Altogether & Alright). Here in Australia, we use and spell these words this way, but to use them in your USA reader-based, not a good thing to do. All Together & All Right, should be used instead. Your editing has to be based for the country your book will be released in, or the main reader base.

To help keep costs down, go through your manuscript several times. Clean it up! Have it easy to read. Then, use editing programs such as Grammarly, WritingProAid, Perfected software, and Smart Edits software for cleaning up grammar, punctuation, spelling, replacing words, repeated sentences, extra spaces between words. Plus many other issues. There are usually free trials to these types of software. Use them, practice, and learn which one suits you better before purchasing or subscribing.

There are many parts to finding and using an editor.

There are many editing practices to keep in mind.

The comma splice – avoid using it. It is not your friend. With today’s manuscripts, keep in mind the audio version, which will eventually become the norm for tomorrow’s books.

If you do not like specific punctuation usage , . – ; : or certain words, then do not use them yourself. A good editor will not use the comma splice.

The wording – Try and – it should be – Try to

So basically – Expect your editor to tell you about parts of the manuscript they have discovered – Repetitive errors – Phrasing – Incorrect words/punctuation – Multiple paragraphs starting with same word – Unvarying sentence construction.

Keep in mind if you had used dictation, chances are it is going to insert errors. Editors will expect you to find those – (Consul Vs console) (Site Vs sight) There are many others – There, their, too, to, would, wood, etc.,.

He nods his head – he nodded. There are many sentences like this. Try to remember that you do not require the extra words.

Make sure your facts are correct. A good editor will also check this and bring it to your attention if you have stated one thing and it is actually incorrect. Otherwise, your readers will come down on you like a ton of bricks.

Some interesting tips and tricks.

Always ask other authors regarding editors. What type of charges, if the editor is more for fiction, romance, horror, they have their own genre they work in. There are also different variety of editors. Which one do you require?

Ask for samples of their work also.

Always ask questions.

Good luck