It takes numerous aspects to bring about a well-written and engaging manuscript. Once you write “The End,” it indicates the beginning of your self-publishing journey. What is the next step? Editing, of course! You can consult a trustworthy book editing company. During the editing phase of the process, you have one significant goal, which is to make your manuscript the best version possible. Apart from the actual writing, a vital part of the creation process is your editing.
You have spent so much time with your book that you know it inside and out. Your future readers, however, don’t. Editing helps to ensure that your words say what you intend them to say. To manage that, you need a team of people who can review the text for areas that could be even more effective.
A book editing company is the best choice at this stage. In this article, we will walk through the role of a professional book editing company in USA and its significance in your writing journey.
Why is Editing Your Manuscript Significant?
Editing is crucial in the production of your book. It acts as the protective varnish that enhances and improves your writing before you are ready to share it publicly or publish it.
You should not underrate editing nor take its importance for granted. It enriches the overall feel of your manuscript. You must edit meticulously for a refined final piece that engages your reader’s emotions.
Editing has four stages. Whether you have just started writing or are an experienced author with an established writing career, you must know these stages and apply them in your editing process.
The phase of editing seems a little complex in the beginning. However, with time, you can hone your craft, improve your writing, become skilled at self-editing, and succeed as an author in your field. A professional book editing company can assist you with the best editing services for your book.
What are the Stages of Book Editing?
The four stages of book editing are:
Structural Story Editing
Structural editing of your story is the most in-depth of all editing stages. Your book editing company reviews in detail your entire manuscript and applies the most precise method of correcting your book. Your book editing company has a team of certified experts who thoroughly evaluate the structure and presentation of your writing scene by scene. Thus, it includes numerous story elements that certified and skilled editors evaluate. These elements comprise your book’s story, characters, plot, and settings.
By carefully reviewing these elements, your story editor objectively ensures they overlook nothing.
Line Editing
After evaluating your complete book, the next stage is to analyze the tone, style, and consistency of your writing. These three should go hand in hand. Tone sets the story’s mood, while style is how you tell your story.
While line editing, ensure that every sentence works to develop your story’s projected mood. You do this by using descriptions, words, and tenses that enhance your writing.
Copyediting
Copyediting requires minimum review. It focuses on correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
However, English evolves, and dynamic guidelines for using the language keep evolving. Help from a professional book editing company is essential to ensure you use the correct conventions.
A professional book editing company identifies and fixes mistakes in punctuation and spelling and is also well-acquainted with grammar rules.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of reviewing your edited book. It is done after formatting and before the book is finally sent to the printer. Proofreading entails fixing the last issues of the book layout.
The proofreader with the book editing company ensures that your book has appropriate formatting to make it error-free and presentable to the reader.
A proofreader must thoroughly review the book to ensure its perfection. Some aspects to consider in proofreading are indentation, paragraph spacing, and choice of fonts and sizes.
Book Editing Services: Why?
A book editing company possesses the knowledge and skills to improve your writing abilities and help you produce your ideal book.
You must ensure that your professional book editing company has proven experience in publishing and successful results in editing. Ask for editing work samples and evidence of their advanced certifications, education, and training. You can also request a free editing sample of your writing.
The role of a book editing company is complex. They have different types of book editors who perform a range of editing functions.
Below, we have listed the essential reasons to choose a book editing company to improve your work.
- Experience
- Expertise
- Accessibility
What Services are Provided by Book Editing Companies?
Editing services do much more than meets the eye. An editor at a book editing company has years of experience in proofreading and editing. Editors also possess an in-depth understanding of the English language.
Below are the services offered by a professional book editing company for your book.
- Acting as a book critique
- Editing your book
- Proofreading your book
- Script editing
- eBook editing
- Proofreading of eBook
- Formatting of eBook
What To Look for in Book Editing Services?
Here is a list of things to remember when choosing a book editing company to work with.
The Editor’s Specialty
We all have things we excel at. Any book editing company you choose will have editors with their strengths and weaknesses. You should line up your editor’s strengths to things you struggle with. For example, are you sloppy with your grammar? If so, choose an editor who will do that job well.
Word of Mouth
If you have any author-friends, see if they use a book editing company and its editors. You can find plenty of quality editors if you ask around in your groups.
Find Genre-Specific Authors
It is a huge plus if you find an author who knows the genre you are writing in. Not only can they help with basic line editing, but they can also help with structure and how you tell the story.
Try to Find a Sample
Most editors with a book editing company will be happy to organize a brief sample. Each editor has a different process, so you must find one that suits your writing.
Conclusion
Story editing requires a comprehensive effort to review your book. Doing it yourself is good practice, as you know your story well. However, for an excellent result, you will need the services of a professional book editing company after self-editing your story.
If you want to compete with other books, both self and traditionally published, your book must be the best it can be.
With so many benefits, book editing services are your best choice to refine your manuscript before it reaches your audience. So, what are you waiting for? Contact an agency for book editing services to start working on your passion for writing.
