5 Ways to Know if Your Book is Ready for Editing (Revised)
As a member of a professional editors group, I regularly receive inquiries from would-be authors about editing their book for publication. Many aren’t ready for editing, let alone getting their words typeset and between the covers of a book—whether in printed or electronic format.
Too many newcomers think their job is done once they have put forth the effort to get words on paper (or screen). But that’s only the beginning.
Before you search for a professional editor to refine your manuscript, ask yourself five key questions:
1. Is it yours?
Whether using a traditional publisher or using some form of self-publishing, books should originate with the author’s insights and abilities, not Artificial Intelligence or other high-tech tools. With AI gathering steam of late, publishers and editing sites are asking whether authors have used AI to produce their work (much different than an AI reviewer to catch spelling or grammatical errors). They want creative output, not machine-generated or -enhanced words. While dishonest authors may get away with something, they are also likely to get caught by a plagiarism checker.
2. How long is it?
Words are king. An editor doesn’t care how many pages you have, whether typewritten or laid out using desktop-publishing software. Some writers single-space their content and others double-space, or use the 1.5 setting. This makes page counts a bit irrelevant. How many words does your manuscript contain?
3. How does it sound?
Reading your first draft out loud is one of the best ways to bring mistakes to light. Elements like repetition, awkward-sounding phrases, or unintentional alliteration can plague inexperienced writers and veterans alike. The best thing is the Read Aloud function on certain versions of Word; other platforms can also handle this task. But whether it’s a computerized device or your own voice, reading aloud is a necessary tool for reviewing your writing.
4. What’s the genre?
Are you writing an autobiography? A memoir? A teaching book? An instructional manual? Or something else? Far too many first-timers set out to write an autobiography instead of a memoir, which can focus on a certain aspect of your experience. Unless you’re a movie star, musician, or national political figure, few potential readers will care about your autobiography.
5. Has it been reviewed?
Whether a fellow freelancer, an editor, or a writers’ group (in-person or online), you need someone to offer you feedback and suggestions for improvement. While you may prefer the high-touch environment of face-to-face meetings, Zoom calls or Team sessions are part of modern life. Whatever the form, take a step of courage. Ask others to review your writing, or use a grammar checker like PerfectIt or Grammarly.
