Learning to write books is hard. Earning money from books is even harder. So some writers figure they’ll bypass the expensive stuff like hiring an editor.
This is not a good idea if you’re planning to self-publish. We are all blind to our own mistakes. And newbies especially need help in shaping and polishing a book.
But what if you’re going the query route?
Do you need to hire an editor before you start sending out a book to agents and small presses?
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Hiring the right editor is another art. Many, both attached to agencies and freelance, are overpriced and incompetent. How, then, does one sort the wheat from this chaff?
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Research and asking other authors about their editors 😎
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Yip!
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Great post, Chris. Two thoughts. First, I can’t believe anyone who publishes a novel or short story without a second set of eyes is serious about a career as a writer. That’s as bad as the person in the quote, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Second, don’t just take someone’s word that they’re a great editor. If you can’t get a reference from another author, go on Amazon and read the reviews of books they’ve edited. You’ll know they’re quality editors if the books received four stars and there were no mentions of spelling, grammar, and usage errors.
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Agreed, Linda 👍😃
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Here is a great post by Anne R. Allen on The Story Reading Ape Blog on the topic of hiring the right editor and what to expect.
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Thanks for reblogging, Don 👍😃
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You’re welcome. Great post to share.
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That was a fantastic article. Thanks for sharing, Chris.
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Welcome, Diana 👍😃
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Anytime I am asked to give any tidbit of advice to new writers, I ALWAYS tell them to hire an editor once they have the manuscript as good as they can get it. Good post!
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Same here, Jan 👍😃
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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A very good post, Chris. I employed an editor for Silly Willy Goes to Cape Town after I picked up an error in one of my Sir Choc books. We don’t see our own mistakes and friends don’t read with an eye for detail in the same way as an editor does.
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Self editing can catch a lot, but getting an Editor after that is best, Robbie 😀
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The page won’t open. It keeps telling me there’s a fatal error. 😦
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WP must be making ‘Enhancements’ again Malia Ann , the link works when I check it – but try this one instead and let me know if it works for you 😀
http://annerallen.com/2017/06/hiring-an-editor-who-when-avoid-scams/
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It does! Thanks, Chris!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Reblogged this on Didi Oviatt.
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