You've written a first draft of your book—the book that is infused with all of your sweat, blood, tears, and dreams. This is the book that's supposed to be the starting point for an amazing new future for your life as an author. But it's only a first draft. Now what are you supposed to do with it?
You're probably exhausted from writing the first draft. Your eyes start to blur and a migraine beings to pulse in your forehead as soon as you open the Word Document. Revising sounds like true torture, right now. And, honestly, it's a little useless.
No matter how many times you read through your own draft, you simply will not be able to see all of the areas that are repetitive, the places that need more explanation, or the under-riding themes that you could pull out more explicitly. And you're definitely not going to catch every misplaced comma and inconsistent capitalization. You're human, and your brain is tired.
It's time to take a step back, breathe, and bring in an editor.
The beautiful thing about handing your first draft off to an editor is that you have at least a week or two to relax. Your mind can let go of thinking about your book constantly. Your jaw can unclench. Someone else is working on improving your book, and it's not you!
Often, when I'm about halfway through with the first edit of a client's manuscript, I'll send him an email with an update on the progress. I can't tell you how many times the author responds back with something like, “Thank you so much. I've finally been able to relax for the first time in months because I know you're working on my book!” Truly, this is one of the greatest gifts an editor can give to an author—a space of time to do absolutely nothing on the book.
Then, you prepare for the revision phase.
When your book comes back from your editor, you'll receive comments and feedback from your editor about things to change in your manuscript. You'll be refreshed and ready to charge into the revision phase. And the best part is that if your editor is up to snuff, she'll have given you the plan of attack. She'll have commented in all the areas that need your attention and given you specific recommendations on how to add/change/delete certain areas of your book.
Revisions go so much more smoothly when you enter them with renewed energy and a plan for what to change and how.
Most authors know that they need an editor, maybe more than one, but they don't know the first thing about actually finding and hiring an editor.
That's exactly why I've created this quick guide, “10 Things You Need to Know Before Hiring a Book Editor.” It's all my pro tips, combined into one, beautiful guide.
This guide is an insider's knowledge of the editing world. After all, I've worked in a publishing house, I've owned an editing business for going on 8 years, I've hired editors, and I've had my own book edited. I've seen the book editing world from all angles!
And these are the top 10 things about book editing that every author needs to know.
It's available for you right now. Just click here:
Or click here to get the guide.
And if you have writer friends who are looking for a book editors, share this post with them!