The Absolute Importance of Having A Proper Editor

By: Ebonye Gussine Wilkins

It is not lost on me that most editors would cringe at the title I chose for this blog post. It is intentional, and the purpose was to grab your attention. That being said, let’s move on.

I have looked at many manuscripts lately, and they all seem to have one thing in common: the authors did not hire editors to review their work.

As I become more familiar with grammar and mechanics (from a editorial perspective, rather than a linguistic one), it becomes even more obvious to me when an editor is not used to review a manuscript. While I am sure many editors are cringing at this post, I blog differently than I edit, so do not be afraid! That includes the misuse of the italics just now! And now! And even now!

Do yourself a favor. Hire a copyeditor.

They don’t have to use the Chicago Manual of Style but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. Whether it is non-fiction or fiction, someone well-versed in editing needs to go over your work with a fine-tooth comb. Checking for inconsistencies, punctuating properly and assessing sentences to ensure that they are doing what we intend them to do is all part of the process. It makes for a manuscript that is well-put together.

Please keep in mind that editors do not always agree on what is a proper fix for a problem. Some rules are rather strict, while others are are more editor-dependent. Either way, if you find a proper editor, your work will be all the better for it.

Are you already working with an editor? If so, how did you find them?