editor and proofreader

How to Find the Right Book Editor

Editing

 

Choosing a book editor can be stressful.  “There is a big difference between editors who point out all your literary weaknesses and come up with solutions – versus those who give you general advice that doesn’t go anywhere, ” says editor Natasa Lekic.  Have a clear sense of what your goals are in the process before you begin contacting editors.

Do you just want a line editor to make sure you’ve got everything in the right place and you haven’t made any egregious punctuation or spelling errors?  Do you need a content editor who will address big-picture issues?  Are you looking for someone who follows all the rules laid out in the Chicago Manual of Style, or are you hoping for an editor with a more creative flair?

And then there is proofreading – a final check before publication to find missed typos, missing words, repeated words, spacing and formatting consistency. Proofreading should be the very last level of editing.

Are you anticipating to learn something during the editing process, or do you just want to send your manuscript off for editing and be done with it?
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Don’t Just Google Names
Just because an editor is listed on a particular website doesn’t automatically mean they are great at what they do.  Due diligence on your part is still crucial. Rather than doing a general Google search, ask writers you respect whose work has been well edited for recommendations.  Visit Writer’s Digest or other popular writing sites, and the message boards there.  Keep in mind, however, that there is a difference between advertising on a site and being endorsed by them.
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Once you found several names of prospective editors, check out their websites, and contact them to find out if they are taking on new clients.  Ask them whether they specialize in content, copy, or line editing, what genres they are most enthusiastic about, whether they offer a trial edit, and what their rates are.  Many editors will offer either a free sample edit of your first chapter or one for a very small price.  A trial edit is a great and inexpensive way to see if you’re partnering up with the right editor before you commit to a full edit.
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What to Look For in a Sample Edit
If you are able to find an editor who offers a free or inexpensive sample edit, take them up on it.  There are a few things you should look for when the sample edit is returned. First and foremost, is it back to you within the time frame the editor promised?  Missing that first deadline is a giant, flashing red flag.   Once you have the sample back, what kind of changes have been made or suggested?  Does the editor offer insights you may not have thought of before?  Does she give you a reason for why certain changes have been made?  Is she/he interested in your work?

  • Do the grammar rules follow American English, which differs from British English?
  • Does it test grammar, punctuation, and spelling?  Even though the writing may benefit from heavier line editing, that is not part of this editing assessment.
  • Grammar rules and recommendations vary by the style guide.  The preferred style guide for this article is the Chicago Manual of Style, a common style guide for book authors.
  • Dictionaries also disagree sometimes.  The preferred dictionary for this piece is the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the 11th edition.

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What if I Disagree With What the Editor Says?
Ideally, your editor is seeing your work after (or at the same time) you’ve had two or three trusted beta readers go through the manuscript – and after you have done some serious self-editing.  Ask the editor about the reasoning behind their changes.  Is the story lagging?  Was there a plot hole you forgot to fill-in?  Or do their changes feel more about stylistic differences related to your unique writing voice?  If that’s the case, it is a much more subjective issue, and I recommend making a list of the suggested changes with which you disagree.  Then, talk to beta readers or fellow writers who know your work.

Not all authors take every single suggestion their editor makes.  The choice is yours with respect to stylistic changes.  Simply look at the editor’s reasoning behind some of the more significant suggestions they’ve made, weigh the validity of their argument, and then make your decision.
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What is The Average Price Range For Editing? 
What should I expect to pay?  How do I know I’m getting a good deal?
There is a huge price range for editing services these days, but in general for a quality edit you’re looking at ca.  2 cents per word for proofreading, 2 – 4 cents per word for copy editing and/or line editing, and upwards of 2 – 6 cents per word for a good, qualified content editor.

You’ll want to find out upfront if the cost includes revisions, or if you’ll have to pay extra for the editor to look at your work again once you have made changes.  As for whether or not you’re getting a good deal, ask yourself what you hope to do with this novel.  A good editor can mean the difference between critical accolades and scathing reviews.  How much is that worth to you?

There are ways around the cost issue, so never let money—or the lack thereof—be your reason for putting out a subpar novel.  You’ve written a book, the equivalent of running the marathon of your life.  Hiring a qualified editor means the difference between you limping across the finish line or soaring past the competition.
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The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) publishes a chart of common editorial rates.  The following list will also give you an idea of what editors usually charge.  Keep in mind that rates vary greatly, though.  The industry standard for a manuscript page is 250 words.

Copy editing:
$30-50 per hour. According to the Writer’s Market, the average is $35. Experienced copy editors might be able to edit about 10 pages per hour, which would mean they make $0.014 per word if they charge an hourly rate of $35. That makes $1,120 for an 80,000-word manuscript. According to the EFA, basic copyediting for an average-length manuscript would cost $960-2,560.

Line editing:
$40-60 per hour. Depending on the hourly rate and how long it takes to edit the manuscript, that would make $2,400-19,200 for an 80,000-word manuscript.
Some editors ask for around $0.02 to $0.03 per word (which would mean $1,600-2,400 for an 80,000-word manuscript).

Content editing:
$45-55 per hour. According to the Writer’s Market, the average is around $50.
Most editors ask for around $0.02 to 0.075 per word (which would mean $1,600-6,000 for an 80,000-word manuscript).  According to the Writer’s Market, the average per-page rate is $7.50 (=$2,400 for an average-length manuscript).
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For most writers, that’s a lot of money.  Can you get editing for cheaper?  Probably.  But you usually get what you pay for.
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Let’s say an editor can line and substantive edit five pages an hour.  Which means an 80,000-word manuscript would take her about 60 hours.  If the author pays her … let’s say US$500, she would make about $8 an hour – less than the minimum wage – for academic work!  Someone who wants to make her living editing can’t afford to work at these rates.  So that might mean the editor is forced to work faster and be less thorough, or you will need to hire someone who is just starting out as an editor and charges less.  Of course, you could also limit yourself to just copy editing, but that won’t help you if your plot doesn’t work or you need help with point of view issues.
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How to Save Money on Editing?
What you can actually do to reduce your editing costs is to deliver a manuscript that is as clean as possible.  Trim the “fat,” the unnecessary words and fillers, and catch all the grammar and spelling mistakes you can before you send the manuscript to the editor.
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Free software programs such as

are just examples of several programs that can help you with “pre-editing”.
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Of course, the costs of editing depend not just on the editor, but on various other factors too:

  • Type of editing: For example, copy editing to correct spelling and grammar mistakes costs less than a substantive edit.
  • Quality of writing: The more work the editor has to do to make the manuscript presentable, the more the editing will cost.  Skilled writers with relatively clean manuscripts pay less.  Editors will want to see your manuscript or at least a sample before they can determine the costs of editing.
  • Length: Novels cost more than short stories or novellas, of course. But some editors work on sliding scales, so you’ll pay less per word for a longer manuscript than for a short story.
  • Editor’s experience: If you hire an inexperienced editor who’s just starting out, you’ll probably save money, but (depending on the editor) you might sacrifice quality.
  • Deadline: If the editor needs to work on a tight deadline, you’ll probably pay more for editing (most editors charge 25% more for rush jobs).

As you can see, there are different methods to calculate editing fees.  Some editors prefer to charge by the hour.  Others offer a flat rate that depends on word count, regardless of how many hours will go into editing the manuscript.
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The Advantage of a Flat Rate
Both the writer and the editor know beforehand how much the editing will cost.  In contrast: with an hourly rate, the total costs won’t be determined until the editing is finished.  Some writers fear the editor will drag out the editing to have more billable hours.

The Disadvantage of a Flat Rate:
Sometimes it can be difficult to estimate how much work is involved in editing a manuscript before you actually start working on it.  If the editor underestimates the extent of the job, she ends up working for a very low hourly rate.
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Natasa Lekic wrote on WriteLife: 
“The process of finding the right editor may seem like a slog, but it’s worth it.  It takes three years at a publisher before you can edit your own books.  Editing is a skill that comes from working with experts — other editors — for years.  People who have only freelanced likely never had the opportunity to be guided and mentored by editors.  Not only will a good editor raise the appeal of your manuscript, but more importantly, she will make you a better writer.”

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Find more on this topic:

https://authorunlimited.com/find-an-editor/

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/10-things-your-freelance-editor-might-not-tell-you-but-should

https://expertbeacon.com/how-find-right-editor-turn-your-manuscript-book/

https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/3-tips-how-to-reduce-you-editing-costs/

https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/why-books-need-editing-and-proofreading/

 

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111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos:
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111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
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111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a

111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews:
Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews
plus 1,200+ reviewer contact links
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5nx5

111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
https://books2read.com/u/mVZkjr

Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
How Authors Can Promote their Books Without Spending a Lot of Money 
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Finding the Perfect Editor for Your Books

Book-Editing

 

Many self-publishing authors dread the costly editing process – which is a big mistake.  It might cost them not only readers but a valuable reputation as a marvelous writer.

Often, authors assert they are best qualified to copy edit and proofread their work, as they are most familiar with it.  In fact, this is the reason an author is least qualified for editing their work.  Writers often fail to catch basic typographical errors, misused word, missing text, incorrect punctuation, and awkward sentences because they are too close to their manuscript.

The first step is to find the right person for you and your work.  There is an editor for every kind of book and every author.  To find the perfect fit, study editors’ work profiles at their professional organizations:

Do your homework.  You can also learn a lot about an editor’s expertise and style by reading their profile – and the books he or she worked on.

Another way would be to check out bestselling books in your genre and who edited the manuscript for them.  A long list of editors can be found in an article at Kindlepreneur.
Freelance editors are also offering their services at EbookLaunch, ServiceScape, or on  Reedsy.
Last but not least: ask writer friends about their own editing experiences.  They can usually give you a sense of how reliable and professional an editor is.  However, they can’t tell you how well an editor will work for you and your book.
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Start Early!
It takes time to identify, screen, and select an editor who’ll be a good fit for you and your manuscript.  Good editors are likely to be booked at least several months in advance.
Contact half a dozen editors before choosing one who’s right for you.  Working with the wrong editor isn’t just a costly financial mistake, it’s also demoralizing…
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What to Send the Editor?
Once you’ve found an editor who might be a good fit for you, make an initial contact. In order to assess your manuscript, your editor needs a sample of your writing:

For a quick initial assessment, provide 5-10 pages from the middle of your book.  Why? If the editor can see the middle, where many authors’ writing energy tends to flag they get a better sense of how much time it will truly take to edit your book.  It also helps an editor to make some DIY recommendations that can reduce editing costs later in the process.  Include also a table of contents (TOC) with your 10-page sample if it is a non-fiction book.
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Developmental Editing
It addresses the structure of a book — how everything in the manuscript works together.
Big picture editing can be very expensive if you need to address a book’s structure after it has been completely written.  To save money is to get help structuring your book before you write it – by getting help from beta-readers.
Or, you could send your editor a detailed outline, or a detailed 10-page plot summary to see if he or she can spot any potential holes.
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Line Editing
In a line edit, your editor will point out specific things such as certain lines of dialogue that don’t sound convincing, or pacing problems in a given section.  It can also involve moving sentences around so that your meaning is clear.  Stylistic editing/line editing always aims to preserve the author’s voice, first and foremost.  But there are some catches:

  • You might use too many adjectives
  • The vocabulary isn’t suited to the intended audience
  • Your meaning is lost in too many big words or jargon
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Copy Editing
This kind of editing addresses grammar, usage and consistency issues.  In addition to consistencies in spelling and punctuation, British, US or Canadian English, a copyeditor will find issues of continuity.
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Proofreading
It means typos, repeated words, spelling, punctuation and formatting issues (how things look on a page) as they occur in your book’s final environment.  If your book will be printed, your editor will proofread a PDF.  Proofreading is the last pair of eyes on your book before it goes live.  It’s the last chance to catch an error before a reader finds it and gleefully points it out.
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A manuscript will go more or less through all four levels of editing before it is polished and ready for publishing.  But that doesn’t mean that you will need to hire an editor for each kind of editing.  At the very least, every manuscript will benefit from a copyedit.

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How to Save Money on Editing
There are several steps you should do with EVERY manuscript: Engage as many Beta Readers as you can find in reading your manuscript.  Ask them for their critique.  Join writer groups and attend their meetings (librarians often can give you valuable tips on where to find them) or sign up with a Meetup.com writers group and get into their critique meetings.  Start this early in the writing process.

Or join Wattpad – if you write in any of their popular genres, such as romance, sci-fi or fantasy.  Uploading chapter for chapter on their platform will eventually lead to many engaged readers who are also willing to give their insights about the manuscript.

Another important step is to run your text through at least two (free) online editing programs (American English) – chapter for chapter.  For example, PaperRater or EditMinion.  Both have a free version.  Each program has its own preference, but you will be able to detect:

  • sentences that are too long
  • punctuation errors
  • grammar errors
  • spelling errors
  • weak words, passive voice
  • frequently confused homonyms
  • plagiarism
  • phrases to avoid
  • vocabulary usage

If your editing budget is limited, these steps will help you to reduce the actual editing costs tremendously!  Approach the professional final editing process with a willingness to learn about your writing quirks.
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A positive and open attitude will not only get you a better book, but you will also save money on your next editing project with what you’ve learned from this one. 

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Read more:
Tips on How to Reduce Your Editing Costs

https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/3-tips-how-to-reduce-you-editing-costs/

5 Crucial Questions to Ask a Potential Editor
https://thewritelife.com/how-to-find-an-editor-crucial-questions/

Why Books Need Editing and Proof-Reading https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/why-books-need-editing-and-proofreading/

<><><><><>

Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:

111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos:
How to Plan, Create, Upload and Market Videos
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYDH41S/

111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz

111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a

111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews:
Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews
plus 1,200+ reviewer contact links 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5nx5

111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
https://books2read.com/u/mVZkjr

Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
How Authors Can Promote their Books Without Spending a Lot of Money 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5gdp

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Top Reasons to Hire a Professional Editor

Editing

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Hi…how’s yo doin! Doyou like read ing this pargraph?  Doe it mak you want to read more?  Doe the author seem credible to you?  You believe she have some wothwhile information?  She soundimpressiv.  Don’t you thin?

You want to find the entire work of this imagined author and buy her book/s immediately, right?  I don’t think so!  Let’s return to Planet Earth.  This writer may have impressive academic credentials and tons of writing experience.  But who cares?
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You wouldn’t be able to get beyond her sloppiness.  Why?  Her background doesn’t matter if she’s putting out a faulty product.  You probably wouldn’t want to read more than the first few sentences, if that.  Reading the selection probably made your head and eyes hurt.  It certainly was painful for me to write it!

Alright, so my example may seem extreme.  It is exaggerated.  On the other hand, I have seen plenty of books that have quite a few of these same mistakes.
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Untidiness Erodes Credibility.
In a real-life illustration, I came across a sample of writing from a lady who has written quite a few self-help guides.  She gives crucial, hard-won information for helping readers to further their freelancing careers.  However, she doesn’t seem to care about the quality of her proofreading and editing.  I would be more inclined to read her books if she invested in a few self-publishing services.
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It’s a Huge Debate on Social Media.
Many indie authors don’t see the need for skilled beta readers and for professional editing services.  In fact, it’s a constant, huge debate on social media.  Those advocating professional editing lose the battle 95% of the time.  That makes me sad.  In this article, I would like to explore two reasons to hire a professional editor:

There is a visible difference between professionally edited manuscripts and those that the author put together fast.  Yes, it’s obvious to readers.  Trained editing really is more affordable than most authors imagine.  It should be considered as part of the necessary cost of publishing a book.
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#1 Readers CAN Tell the Difference.

Okay, so every reader won’t be a grammar or literature wiz. Yet, no credentials are required to spot basic typos and awkward sentence structure. It looks negligent.
People can spot general messiness in any form; they aren’t going to buy it.  Untidy books get bad reviews, which get noticed.  Many people do read reviews of books–or any product/service.  Sometimes, it’s the quickest way to the truth.

The time for the author to establish a quality product is in the beginning, not after she has written more books.  In the meantime, what if the author loses readers because she made a slipshod effort?  A clean manuscript is a useful investment.
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Medications
Let’s compare publishing disorganized books to medications bought from unproven sources.  There are plenty of them out there.  But, here are some crucial questions to ponder:

  • Do the remedies actually work?
  • Were they obtained legally in the first place?

Sure, medicines cost a ton of money.
There’s no denying that Pharmaceutical companies make a huge profit margin on them.  It’s not fair.  However, the medicines are efficient.  Do you really want to risk your life on untested sources?
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Rolex

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Rolex Watches
Next, let’s liken putting out low-grade novels to fake Rolex watches.  As shown in the above image, the accessories may look almost alike on the outside.  However, they are quite different on the inside.
Rolex is a top-of-the-line watch.  The company is known for its precision time-keeping mechanism.  In addition, the chassis can be either solid steel or solid gold. The Rolex Sea Diver is the divers’ watch pictured above.  It retails at $10,400.  This item offers truly amazing extras beyond a normal watch.
How about Rolex replicas?  These watches are renowned for their inaccuracy and flimsiness.  Would you want to trust your life to one of these watches, literally, if you were a deep-sea diver?  Not me!  I’ll stick with the brand name.
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#2 You CAN afford it.

Self-publishing is a business.
You should have set money aside for your book.  Any new venture requires a certain amount of funds.  “Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something”, to quote my favorite movie, The Princess Bride.  You have to spend a little money to generate income.  Entrepreneurs know this.  Why should publishing be any different?
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The cost of editing may be less than you imagine.
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I have chatted with numerous authors who have not even researched the cost of editing.  They merely assume it will be expensive. (This is the point where I say it’s not wise to assume anything.)  Obviously, the cost may vary with the experience of the editor.  There are a variety of levels of this service:
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  • Top editors advertise services that could end up costing authors thousands of dollars.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, you don’t want to choose an inexperienced, unbelievably inexpensive editor.  That professional might give your manuscript two super quick readings, research nothing, and do a slipshod proofreading job.
  • The middle-of-the-road professional catering to indies may charge from .6 to .8 cents per word.  Of course, some editors charge per page, instead of per word.
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My Conclusion
I’ve been told by some authors that they consider their books to be their babies.  That’s probably because writing requires such a huge emotional investment and risk.  Isn’t your “child” worth a little extra time, money, and attention?
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About the Author:
Traci Lawrence is a teacher, author, blogger, and freelance editor.  Traci lives in the southern area of the United States with her family.  She considers it her mission to spread positivity and self-empowerment through her writing.  Please visit her uplifting website at www.tracisworld.com and view her book, Accept No Trash Talk: Overcoming the Odds.

 

3 Tips How to Reduce You Editing Costs

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Rechner

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Many self-publishing authors dread the editing process – a big mistake, as it might cost you not only readers, but your reputation as a writer.  Sure, one of the highest expenses in book productions is the editing process. But there are ways to reduce these costs, especially for editors that charge their hours, instead of charging for words. First of all, let several other writers read your manuscript – they might see inconsistencies in the flow of your writing or major grammar errors, to get a more impartial view, etc. for example on Wattpad.com,

Author, editor and proofreader Darlene Williams wrote a great blog post for Karen Sanderson’s blog The Word Shark:  “Many authors assert they are best qualified to copy edit and proofread their work, as they are most familiar with it. In fact, this is the reason an author is least qualified. Writers often fail to catch basic typographical errors, misused word, missing text, incorrect punctuation, and awkward sentences because they are too close to their manuscript.”

Darlene give’s authors three doable tasks what they can undertake to reduce editing costs:

  • Firstly, run a spell check;
  • Secondly, self-edit a minimum of two rounds; and
  • Thirdly, ensure the manuscript is in the English version (US or UK) intended for publication.

“Your bank account and editor will thank you”, she says.  Read more of her valuable information about manuscript editing at Karen Sanderson’s blog:
http://karenrsanderson.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/editor-spotlight-by-darlene-elizabeth-williams/

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Tagged: Darlene Williams, editor and proofreader, how to prepare your manuscript for editing, how to save money on editing, Karen Sanderson, manuscript editing