If you are new to the world of writing, you may be asking yourself this question. Perhaps he has worked intensively on his manuscript and is sure that there are no spelling errors, grammatical errors, and knows that all punctuation is correct. So why do you need an editor?
That’s a very valid question, as hiring an editor will cost you time and money.
Here are some good reasons why you should seriously consider hiring an editor for your manuscript.
When you hire a publisher, you increase the chances that your book will become a success. He is a bit like the actors and their team of professional makeup artists. The actors never do their own makeup or hair, in fact they look just as bad as I do first thing in the morning. But with a team of professionals to make them look good, they are really attractive.
Similarly, your publisher turns your book into a superstar. They make sure that every blemish on their books is airbrushed out, making them smooth and flawless to read.
An editor does more than just check for grammar and misspellings. They also make sure their plot is strong, with no unexplained parts that detract from the story. They make sure that your character remains stable and consistent. They double check to make sure their people are acting consistently.
This is very important because, the truth is, there are too many books out there. If your artwork is going to stand a chance, then you need to polish it to a shine, and polishing is your editor. Too often, first-time writers decide to skip the editing process by doing it themselves. This is especially the case when money is tight or the budget is non-existent.
Going self-published is a very poor choice, as our own flaws are often very difficult, if not impossible to see. When you read your own book, the flaws suddenly become invisible.
Don’t ask a friend to read it for you, either. Since they are your friends, they will often be just as blind to your mistakes as you are.
Long story short, and the editor is your makeup artist and your hairspray. Your editor is your critic and your spell checker. You can’t live without your underwear, right? Well, your book can’t live without you hiring an editor to polish up its professional image.