I thought of listing down the qualities of a good editor. However, I believe that this is important to every writer. This is especially true if you are looking for an editor and hoping to submit your work to publishers. Your manuscript needs to be in excellent shape. So, finding a good editor might be the deciding factor that might get your manuscript landed in the publisher's to be published pile and not their rejected pile. A good editor will ensure that your writing will reach the audience it is supposed to go and resonate with the reader. An editor will make sure that it becomes its best version. They will make sure that your writing is concise and precise.
Meticulous
A good editor is meticulous. He or she will have an eye for spotting what works and what doesn't work on the page. A good editor will look at what you have done, break it down, take it apart, and see what should remain on the page and probably better off. They will be sincere and will be brutal about the quality of your writing! A good editor will never try to please you and will be very genuine with their feedback! A good editor will help you identify your shortcomings and suggest how to improve your writing.
A good editor is a critical thinker.
A good editor will have sound reasoning and make good connections. They will also be good at analyzing different types of texts and bringing out the best in a piece of writing. They will be able to make a piece of writing shine through their suggestions. Their suggestions will dramatically improve the chances. A good editor will look at things logically.
Good at time management!
A good editor will be productive and good at managing his or her time. He or she will use his time productively and offer the best criticism that anyone can offer. They won't waste your time, and they will be to the point. They will value your time and help make your writing the best it can be. They deliver their work on time and make sure that they stick to their deadlines.
Will give praise where it is due.
Editors aren't always looking out for mistakes. They look out for what works as well as what doesn't. They are not unjustly judgemental. They keep an eye out for the good as well as the bad. They want a piece of writing to be as polished as possible. They want to bring out the best in a bit of writing.
Sets goals
A good editor sets milestones and deadlines to achieve. He or she makes sure that these goals are achievable and realistic. They make sure not to compromise the quality of a piece of writing just for the sake of getting things done. They adhere to goals and make sure that your work gets done.
They are organized!
They plan well. They are don't procrastinate, and they don't keep things for the last minute. They plan their time well and get things done effectively. They value quality over anything else.
They are truthful
They are truthful and won't hide their opinion. They will be honest with their feedback, and they will want the best for you. They do their best to make the writers work shine. They won't lie to please you. A good editor will be upfront and give you their honest opinion about what works and what doesn't
They are aware of the business side of things!
They are aware of what sells and what doesn't. They are aware of what publishers want and are looking for and will advise you about things. They will be mindful of what to alter in your manuscript to make it sellable and likely accepted by publishers! The knowledge in the business side of things will help you better understand how the market works and what sells and tailor your writing according to the needs of the market and the editors.
They are professional
They aren't disrespectful! They will give you the necessary advice and help you to improve your work. They will be patient and polite. They will not treat you as inferiors but as equals. They will respect your opinion and wouldn't force you to accept everything they say without reasoning.
They are clear about their opinions.
They don't change their opinions. They will give solid feedback without wavering in their views. They are straightforward, wouldn't sugar coat any issues the writer has to deal with and would be blunt, direct, and truthful.
They don't have big egos.
They don't have inflated egos. They are proud of their accomplishments and expertise, but they aren't overbearing. They are humble and are understanding.
They pay attention to detail and style.
The children pay attention to detail and will have a good understanding of style. They pay attention to detail and are highly disciplined, and will go through your work and identify things that slipped your attention. These experts have a good grasp of grammar and will spot grammatical errors.
Do you need a degree?
You don't need to have a formal qualification in editing. But having one will make you more employable and act as evidence for your skill. It is best to practice editing as much as possible. The more you edit, the better you become at identifying mistakes and things that writers overlooked.
How can you earn money as an editor?
Editors can earn money freelancing and working for an organization or a company. You. can offer your services on platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. Editors work with authors to bring out the best in their work.
It is best to create a portfolio of your past work and present it to your clients to improve the chances of you getting hired. Practice your editing as much as possible. You will become better at editing with practice. The more you practice, the better you become at. Here is a good editor I found on Fiverr:
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