“Your Editor is Your Friend.”

When I pick up a book that I’m going to read, I immediately flip to the end and peruse the Acknowledgments section.

Why?

An author can get personal about their journey to writing the book, as well as thank all those that helped make the project come to fruition.

Agents, publishing houses, and beta-readers are always thanked, as well as editors.

Any agent or publishing house will suggest that their book(s) be professionally edited if they are to consider publishing. It’s one of the most important steps in refining a manuscript and finalizing a story.

Having beta readers is just as important, but editors are your “clean up and make beautiful crew”. They will mold your story, help it flow, let it shine and be error-free. Who wants to read a book that is riddled with misspellings and grammar flaws?

If an author thanks their editor, which they should, sometimes, he/she may add commentary on how grateful they are to have had an editor help them perfect their craft.

Find a good editor, and you will have a friend for life. The author/editor relationship is so crucial to the success of the story. You both need to have each other’s back, and you both need to be honest about how the story will come out. Editors, from time to time will disagree with an author. That’s okay too, if the relationship is a healthy one, both parties can agree to disagree.

I’ve published two books: Love’s Perfect Surrender and Petrella, the Gillian Princess. Currently, I’m working on a third novel, Make it Right; Make it Matter. I’ve been blessed working with two very different editors whose approach to editing was just as diverse. In both cases, their unique style and work ethic was what I needed to make my stories bloom.

And with that, I believe editors deserve some limelight. I’m happy to feature the editors I’ve worked with in The Rock Star Editorial Perspective – A Two-Part Series.

Enjoy this read and remember to utilize the best editor that matches your desired storyline. Good luck.

First one up…

The East Coast Editor: Dennis DeRose