Photo: ShotPot

Should I pay for an editor for my manuscript?

Only if you need to. It's essential for authors get some sort of editorial feedback on their manuscript and/or query letter from someone they trust before trying to find an agent. That could be a significant other, a critique partner, a friend, a mortal enemy…

nathanbransford.com - Should you pay someone to edit your work? - Nathan Bransford

How often do freelancers not get paid?

Key Findings: 74% of respondents are not getting paid on time. While 20% are getting paid in one day, 16% aren't getting paid for two months or...

Last updated Sep 26, 2018

How much is viral on TikTok?

Generally speaking, 500,000 views is considered to be semi-viral, while 1-2 million views or more is considered to be fully viral.

Last updated Jan 12, 2020

Promotion

Only if you need to.

It’s essential for authors get some sort of editorial feedback on their manuscript and/or query letter from someone they trust before trying to find an agent. That could be a significant other, a critique partner, a friend, a mortal enemy… someone. The advice should be positive, useful, strike you with the occasional, “Why didn’t I see that?!” moment, and, perhaps most importantly, should be consistent with your vision for the project. In other words, the critiquer shouldn’t simply be telling you how they would have written it. Here’s how to know if you have a good editor. On the other hand, if you don’t have someone you can show your work to and you need feedback or if you would like some input from someone who has worked in the business: by all means, consider a freelance editor. There are some wildly talented editors out there who can really help authors with their manuscripts for a fee. (Including, well, me) However, before you mortgage the farm to pay a freelance editor, keep the following in mind: Don’t spend money on a freelance book editor you can’t afford to lose If it feels like too much money it is definitely too much money. Feedback is helpful, but not at the expense of funds that could be better used elsewhere. If you can spare it and it won’t hurt a whit, go for it. Otherwise: there are plenty of free ways to get good feedback.

Check the editor’s credentials

Find out what their experience is, who they’ve worked with in the past, and whether the amount they are charging is commensurate with their experience. Do your research and only work with an editor with whom you are completely comfortable.

Here’s how to find a freelance book editor.

Keep your expectations in line

Bear in mind that the mere fact that you’ve worked with an editor is not going to boost your chances with an agent (or at least, not with me). A few agents I have been on panels with feel that it is a benefit if an author has worked with an editor. Me? Not so much. I assume an author received feedback and edited accordingly to make it better. I don’t think you get a bonus because you paid for it.

Agents don’t care about typos

Copyediting is not really very necessary prior to submitting to agents. Barring a learning disability, your own grammar and spell-check-assisted spelling skills should be sufficient to ensure that your manuscript has only the occasional typo, which an agent will not worry about.

How can I earn 500 a day from mobile?

How to earn 500 per day? Instamojo 'refer and earn program': Click on the advertisement to earn money: Start trading in the Share market: Affiliate...

Last updated Jan 25, 2018

What is the most annoying job?

The 9 Most Hated Professions Dentists. Monty Rakusen/Getty Images. ... Stock Traders. Clerkenwell / Stockbyte / Getty Images. ... School...

Last updated Jan 21, 2018

Promotion

Do not let an editor submit to agents on your behalf.

When I was an agent, I would occasionally get submissions directly from paid editors who submit for their clients. Opinions vary on this, but in my opinion this is a bad idea. I want to hear directly from the author I’m potentially going to be working with. If you’re going to engage an editor, do so only for manuscript feedback. You should be handling the rest on your own. An exception to this would be if the agent and the editor know each other extremely well on a personal level and the editor is just facilitating the intro.

Know what you’re paying for

Make sure you have a very clear understanding of what you’re paying for and what you’re getting up front. Make sure you and the editor have a clear understanding about what you hope to get out of the edit. And make sure you’re communicating well.

Watch out for scams

There are quite a few unscrupulous fake agents and fake editors out there. Google the person you’re thinking of working with, and, again, check their credentials. Beware of anyone overpromsing what they can really deliver.

There’s no magic bullet

Keep your expectations in check. The editor is helping you with your manuscript: it’s up to you to make the changes, and their help is no guarantee that your project will find representation or publication. The goal is to help you improve your manuscript, but the rest is ultimately up to you. Basically: Do your research, keep your eyes open, but don’t be overly paranoid either. There are freelance editors out there who provide a valuable service, and assuming you find the right match their feedback can be a real help as you keep on plugging away toward representation. Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and consultations! And if you like this post, check out my guide to writing a novel.

Art: The moneychanger and his wife by Marinus van Reymerswaele

nathanbransford.com - Should you pay someone to edit your work? - Nathan Bransford

What are the top 3 used apps?

List of the Top Most Downloaded Apps TikTok. Instagram. Facebook. WhatsApp. Telegram. Zoom. Snapchat. Facebook Messenger. More items... • Dec 27, 2022

Last updated Oct 2, 2019