A great book should be more than the sum of its parts. New writers and budding novelists often have amazing, innovative ideas, but that doesn’t always translate into great content. As far as fictional writing is concerned, it is not just about the writing skills. It is also about character arcs, how the plot points come together, and how the conflicts are resolved. Joining the dots is often hard, which is exactly why a book editor is required.

Why hire a book editor?

Critiquing your own book or manuscript can be a hard job. It’s not because you don’t know the ins and outs of the story, but often because there is sweat and hard work involved. Chopping off parts of your book that are not relevant can be overwhelming, and to be fair, it is hard to be objective and fair. For fiction writing, it is absolutely necessary to have a book editor, or probably a developmental editor. It is also important to decode and find someone who really understands the genre and can bring new things to the table. A book editor is an asset for any writer, who wants to grow and improve his craft.

Think of collaboration

Most writers believe that book editors just criticize work or correct grammar and sentences, but in practice, they work in a collaborative space and offer insight on aspects that can be improved. As a writer, you have to understand that publishers want the final book – they don’t want a manuscript that has great ideas but isn’t sorted for readers. Working with book editors is a way of getting more creative minds on the project. You will have the expertise, experience, and understanding of a third person, who isn’t as possessive about the content as you and would be unabashed about their views.

Finding a book editor

There are many book editors out there, but before you hire one, make sure that they understand fiction and have worked with writers from your genre. Ask about their work and discuss your book in detail before starting off on the journey of completion.