As an author, you’re likely familiar with the basic rules of writing. You probably understand punctuation, have a good grasp of spelling, and know how to construct proper sentences and paragraphs. But understanding the rules and processes associated with writing doesn’t mean you should edit your own work. Authors, especially inexperienced ones, may struggle with finding mistakes in their work. When proofreading your work, you may overlook errors or be unaware of the types of mistakes you’re likely to make. After all, no one is perfect, and every writer tends to spell certain words wrong, forget rules, or struggle with some writing concepts. If you want to have your work published, hiring an experienced editor is the best way to ensure your work is of the best quality possible.
Choosing an editor
A good editor is attentive to even the smallest detail and able to find common and uncommon errors in written works. Remember that while you can have a good working relationship with your editor, they’re not there to be a friend but to provide constructive feedback to help you improve your work. Your editor is not there just to correct errors, but also to provide you with advice on how to write what your readers want.
Benefits of using an editor
An editor looks at your work with a fresh set of eyes, which makes it easier for them to find mistakes. Authors often overlook common mistakes in their own work and it can be difficult to be objective when trying to make changes to something you’re likely already proud of. A good editor wants to help you make your work better by correcting mistakes, reordering content for clarity, and helping you create a finished product free of errors.
Many authors are tempted to edit their own work to save money. But making changes to something you’ve likely already put much time and effort into can be difficult. Hiring an editor allows you to have an objective viewpoint so you can make changes as necessary, so your work is the best quality possible before being made available to readers.
