There are many reasons why you might be asked to write a book. Maybe you’ve got an interesting story to tell, or you’re one of the many people who want to share their expertise with the world. No matter what your reasons are, there’s one thing you need to know; you can’t put a price on creativity. No one can estimate how much a book will cost to write, or how much it will earn, but everyone can estimate how much they will earn per hour for writing it.
So what if you’ve got a few thousand dollars to spend on an author fee for a book proposal. Is it worth it? Is there another option? Let’s look at the pros and cons of having a book edited by a professional versus self-editing it yourself.
The Difference In Quality
One of the main reasons why you might want to consider getting an edited book is because you want to ensure the quality of your work. If you’ve got a rough draft of a book and you’re not sure what would be useful, getting someone to help you make sense of it is worth the money. Even if someone else has written about the same topic you’ve covered, it’s always good to have someone help you make sure your work is up to par. Another reason is that if you’re looking for any particular niche in your industry, there’s a good chance there isn’t an expert in your area. However, there are plenty of people who might be able to help you out, regardless of your area of expertise. If you don’t have the time to edit your book, there are plenty of freelancers who would love to give it a once over. So, if you can afford it, getting an edited book is always a good idea.
More Readers
Whether you’ve published a book already or are just turning the draft phase, one of the most important things for you to consider is how many readers you will have. Now, if you’ve got a niche audience who is interested in your topic, then great! You’ve got a guaranteed audience, at least for the time being. However, if you’re looking for wider appeal, you might have some work to do. Even if you’ve got a story that will be interesting to people, if they can’t understand what you’ve written, you’ve failed. So, it’s always good to have someone help you make sense of your book. Even if you think you’re pretty smart, trying to explain something for which you’ve gotten paid to write can be tricky. Even experienced writers can have trouble explaining some of the more technical aspects of their work. Having an editor go through your book, line by line, can help you make sure that everything is clear. Even if you’ve already got a few readers, it’s never bad to have someone else look at your work and tell you what they think. The feedback can help you improve your book and make it better suited for a broader audience.
More Opportunities
If you’ve already got a book out there, getting an editor to help you write a new one might open up some doors for you. Depending on how much help you need, it’s possible that getting an editor for your book proposal could lead to other projects, including video or podcasting, or even lead to another book. Sometimes, the suggestions of an editor can even make for interesting material to include in your next book. So, even if you’ve got a lot on your plate already, having an editor on your side could prove beneficial.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you’re just starting out, getting an editor for your book can help you find the right path. Even if you’ve got a great idea for a book, or you’ve covered a particular topic that’s become popular, getting an editor can help you determine the best way to present your idea. Sometimes, the editor can even suggest an accompanying book or project that might otherwise be a great fit for your work. So, be sure to try and see what projects they can recommend.
In summary, whether you are a seasoned pro or are just getting started, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider getting an edited book. For the best chance of success, be sure to work with someone who’s got experience in your industry. Even if you think you’re qualified enough to edit your own work, having an expert review it can only improve your chances of having the book published successfully. So, if you can afford it, get yourself an edited book! Good luck out there.