When Should You Hire a Freelance Editor for Your Manuscript?

As an aspiring or established writer, you should consider submitting your manuscript to an editor once you have polished it to perfection. Editing is a crucial step that ensures your work is as close to flawlessness as possible before it reaches the public. Before you hire an editor, ensure that your manuscript includes the following:

Ensuring the Basics Are Covered

A foundational understanding of the manuscript is necessary. This should include:

Grammar Spelling Overused words Sloppy sentences

When your manuscript seems as good as you can make it, consider reading it aloud and making corrections to anything you notice. It's also advisable to have a trusted individual review your work before the editor takes a look. Utilize free resources such as Grammarly, fellow writers, critique partners, beta readers, or writing groups. This process will help you achieve the cleanest version of your manuscript, enabling the editor to focus on more substantial issues.

The Importance of an Editor

Having an editor as an independent third eye is essential for authors. As a writer, you often become too close to your work, making it hard to spot issues that may be obvious to a seasoned editor. Editors play a dual role, acting as your ally and critic, providing both support and constructive criticism.

Collaborating with your editor, you can:

Refine your ideas Improve the structure of your work Correct grammatical and stylistic errors Address typical problems in drafts

Thanks to a professional editor, your manuscript will be in the best possible condition, increasing your chances of success in the publishing world.

When to Consider a Professional Editor

Here are some common reasons why you might benefit from hiring a professional editor:

Struggling with the writing process: Need help refining ideas and structure. Uncertainty about the quality of your work: Desire a professional perspective. Improving writing style, tone, or voice: Want guidance to enhance your work. Preparing for submission: Ensure your manuscript is polished for review by publishers or agents. Self-publishing: Aim to meet the standards of a professional publication.

Hiring a professional editor can significantly improve the quality of your work and enhance your chances of success, whether you're self-publishing or seeking traditional publishing avenues.

Getting Started with Self-Publishing

Getting started with self-publishing can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, you can streamline the process. After publishing over 200 books on Amazon and running 120 million Amazon ads, I've discovered key strategies for easy and effective self-publishing and sales. The key is to break down the steps into manageable tasks, as outlined in my free self-publishing secrets checklist.