Your days, months or even years of hard work, researching and writing, have finally come to an end and you’ve completed your thesis, manuscript or project. You’re ready to send your precious words out into the world.
There’s just one step needed before you publish – you need an impartial pair of eyes look over your project to pick up the small errors that will have crept in, to check the logic of your structure.
Professional editing will help make your work stand out in the crowd.
Find the right editor for you
You’ll find yourself spoiled for choice, so do your research. Are your colleagues or friends able to recommend someone?
Search the internet, many editors offer their services via their own websites of social media platforms.
Choose someone you can work with
Find someone you trust and get on with. Take the time and effort to get to know the potential editors you contact. Tell them about your work, why it’s important to you, what the purpose of the work is, who the intended readers are and the technical information such as the word count and expected format.
It’s important to have confidence in your editor because you will need to be able to communicate freely with them as well as being able to accept feedback from them. Remember, the editor is not rewriting your project for you, they are editing your work, and where significant changes are required, they will provide feedback on these changes.
Editing is a professional service
The editor will be able to provide an estimate of costs but will need to get an example of the work to assess the level of editing required to send you an accurate quote.
If you don’t think the editor you’ve contacted is right for you, let them know and move on. That way the work relationship remains professional and amiable.
The editor you contact may turn you down. Don’t take it personally. The editor may be really busy or may believe your project needs more work before the editing process begins.
If the two of you agree to work together, you’ll need to agree on the price for the service and a deadline for delivery. Make sure you pay your editor promptly in accordance to your agreed terms.
Jenn Writes 