This series of articles will help writers learn to edit a manuscript well enough to attract a medium to large publisher.

Most of the writers who send manuscripts to edit or critique send a first or second draft. The novel is full of grammar mistakes, plot holes, weak characters, and passive writing – which is different than passive voice. This is easy to solve. Writers study the craft of writing, so why not learn how to edit like a professional editor?

You would never think about asking your neighbor who installs satellites to ‘take a look’ at your furnace because it is making a funny sound. But, every day people pay academic editors to edit their fiction. Or they ask ‘line editors’ to critique their novels when they should be asking ‘content editors’ to help them. Take a few minutes to learn some simple editing tips to help get a manuscript published.

Submitting a Manuscript to Publishers

Submitting a first draft is the biggest reason for rejection letters. It is the reason why I tell new authors to have a ‘fiction editor’ critique their novels. This will cost about $500.00, but can save you dozens of rejection letters, maybe years of submitting and rejections, and a lot of heartbreak. However, it is necessary to find a good editor. Have they ever worked for a fiction publisher? How many published novels have they edited? A BA in English, or an ex-teacher will not help a writer polish a marketable fiction novel.