An interesting article on the role of the editor on Guardian Online - and as usual with the Newspaper articles - the comments section proves to be a lively forum with input from industry professionals and others ‘in the know’.
It’s interesting to note that within the established publishing industry the title of ‘Editor’ is bandied around and attached to anyone lacking a real job description.
Editing is the most important step for any self published author. Let me say that again. The. Most. Important! It is an essential step - absolutely crucial if the independent authoring community is going to gain any respect from the purchasing public.
I would hope to see independent editors becoming more available to independent authors. I know that many of the small self-publishing houses have an editorial service - with the additional pennies required for the author. As an essential step in the publication process - it will be money well spent. However, not all services are created equal - and it will be a hit and miss process for many.
Perhaps having your manuscript edited by a renowned editor will be as much a selling point as the cover, or the title, or even the writing itself. A badge of acceptance with an editorial house logo or somesuch - yet further removing the independent author stygma from vanity publishing. Even to the point where these editing houses would help market the book (in an online fashion) for a cut of the book.
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