An Introduction to Editing (Part 2)

When you are preparing a piece to be shown to a wider public, one of the questions you need to consider is how much you want to edit your manuscript before submitting it to an agent or publisher.

Many writers worry that, if they send out a draft that is too polished, agents and publishers may not see any potential for developing or changing the book to meet their stable or imprint. While there may be a little truth in this, an agent or publisher will definitely look for potential before they seek a perfectly polished piece.

However, there is far more danger that, in working through a large pile of submissions, an agent or publisher will be distracted by superficial problems with your draft and therefore fail to see its best qualities. Should your draft suffer from repetition, too much description, or unrealistic dialogue, an agent or publisher may decide not to read further and thus fail to appreciate the strength of your novel.

Edit your manuscript until you are really pleased with it. If you are not happy with it, you should not want to show it to anybody else. It is largely a matter of self-esteem and self-confidence. If you have any doubt about the quality of your book or if you are aware of flaws that you could have fixed, then you will not do your submission justice. Your covering letter will not have the intrinsic enthusiasm to pique the interest of an agent or publisher.

More and more debut authors decide to have their work professionally edited prior to submitting their novel to an agent or publisher. This is not cheap, but it is certainly worth considering if you can afford to do it. There are three things that writers and editors should always be mindful of from the outset of their relationship.

Not all editors are the same: editors have different skill sets and specialisms. Check that your editor is willing and able to give you the support you need.

• Not all authors are the same: writers have different budgets, goals and preferences. Make sure you are clear when you explain what you need to your editor, then put the contract in writing.

• Opinion abounds about whether writers should hire editors. And while there is no consensus, some overarching good-sense guidance prevails. I recommend that writers make informed decisions based on a solid understanding of editorial process, and that editors make informed decisions based on professional integrity and a solid understanding of the author’s intention.

You must first identify a reputable editor. The services editors offer vary widely. Make sure the type of edit you secure is what you are looking for. Services range from a review or critique of your manuscript all the way to a detailed structural edit or even copy-editing.

I feel blessed to have discovered the gift of writing that God gave me. May you all enjoy your writing, thank God for the gift you have been given and make sure your piece is polished enough that your readers will enjoy it too.