Book editors are usually a key player behind the scenes helping make a book its best before publication.
But did you know that editors have some significant advantages over non-editors when they decide to take center stage and write their own a book?
It’s true. Here are five ways editors who publish books have an advantage over other writers and why you might consider publishing a book if you are an editor.
Table of Contents
1. Editors Read A Lot
It goes without saying, but an editor cannot do their job without reading. The unique part about what book editors read is the variety of books and skill level of the writers. From first-time authors to New York Times bestsellers, a book editor has the unique advantage of reading the entire spectrum of skill levels.
By regularly being exposed to diverse writing styles, genres, and stages of book development, editors can pick up on unique ways to become a better writer. After all, even the great Stephen King declared reading as half the battle to becoming a better writer: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
As a key part of their job, editors have the unique advantage of reading a lot.
2. Editors Study Unique Books
Many writers like to read. And many writers even study the craft of writing. But book editors typically have a unique understanding from their role as an editor and the type of books they read to develop their craft.
Developmental editors know what hooks readers and how to develop strong characters, plot structures, and overall themes. Line editors study and learn about using language to communicate a clear and compelling story to the reader at the sentence and paragraph level. Copy editors and proofreaders have regular coffee dates with books like the Chicago Manual of Style for their firm understanding of American English rules.
By having such a strong and unique approach to studying writing, many editors know how to write without clichés, inconsistencies, flat plots, weak characters, and other writing blunders that keep a book from being great.
3. Editors Have Author Connections
Since editors are regularly doing manuscript critiques and proofreading and copy editing jobs, they can build relationships with a lot of authors and others involved in book publishing. This can be useful when an editor decides to publish a book.
Editors can utilize author connections, especially those within her genre, in a variety of ways. Let’s say an editor has helped 30 romance authors publish their books. When the editor later publishes her own romance novel, there’s a good chance at least some of those authors will help by sharing the book on social media, downloading a Kindle copy during a free promotion, or even promoting the book to their own email list.
These relationships can help editors get their newly published book in front of more readers faster than an author without those connections.
4. Editors Have Editor Connections
Another unique advantage editors may have is their connection to other editors. You may think an editor can skip the editing phase, but this is far from true.
Even book editors need their writing to be reviewed by a professional editor because editing your own writing is difficult. When you know what you meant to write, your eyes play tricks on you and it’s difficult to see what you actually wrote. This is how typos, repeated words, punctuation errors, and grammar mistakes slip in.
By having personal connections to editors, an editor could use this as an opportunity to trade services or get discounted work from an editor friend resulting in a lower book publishing costs. What writer wouldn’t want an editor as a friend?
5. Editors Have Ways To Get More Reviews
One of the biggest struggles for authors without a huge platform is getting book reviews. Until you’ve proven yourself as a worthwhile author, reviews on Amazon are key to readers taking a chance on you.
Think about it. When is the last time you decided to spend your time or money on a book written by an author you’ve never heard of with zero reviews?
Well, all those connections mentioned above can be helpful for getting book reviews too. While an editor should be careful not to ask the same people for social media shares, editing favors, email promotion, and book reviews (that’s excessive), editors can utilize their network to get more reviews and ultimately, get their book in the hands of more readers. Most authors understand how critical reviews are for success on Amazon and are happy to help if asked.
Conclusion
Now don’t think being an editor will catapult your book to the New York Times or Amazon best seller list. However, if you’re an an author who has considered editing or an editor who has considered publishing a book, there are worthwhile advantages to consider.
About the Author
Val Breit is a stay-at-home mom by day runs TheCommonCentsClub.com by night, where she reveals how to turn a love for writing into multiple streams of income. Her hacks for maximizing your money and time so you can create a lifestyle you love include finding the right planner to organize your life, like the Living Well Planner she recently reviewed.
