Editors Put the E in E-Publishing

The topic of discussion at this week's Ridgefield Writers Guild meeting was e-publishing — whether to, how to, when to — you name it. One take-away was the importance of selecting an e-publisher that offers good editing services. E-publishing author and expert Shawn Wilhelm (aka Tarah Scott) made the point that at some stage in a writer's career — probably the earlier the better — it's important to work with an editor whom the writer is not paying directly. And you're hearing that from someone who makes a living editing.

The point is that an editor whom you're paying, who's not part of a publisher's stable of editors — freelance or otherwise — instantly has a vested interest in making you, the writer, happy. That usually means the editor is less likely to be completely impartial about your work — and your mistakes. E-publishing authors listed having a good editor as the most important facet of their writing.

Whether you opt to self-publish, e-publish or traditionally publish your work, the same principle applies — a good editor is worth her weight in gold.

Happy writing — and editing!

Resources: Preditors and Editors and Manuscript Editing