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Got a terrific nonfiction project you’re trying to sell? Wondering if you have what it takes? Here are some signs of potential future success as a nonfiction author:
 
1. You’ve previously written a book that was at least mildly successful… maybe something like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
 
2. You have a recognizable name. For instance, Bradley Cooper. Or Oprah.
 
3. You are currently a top candidate for President of the United States.
 
4. You have recently won several gold medals in the Olympics. In a sport people care about.
 
5. You have come up with a life-changing, magical method of organizing people’s stuff. And it involves talking to your stuff.
 
6. You are the founder of Microsoft.
 
7. You are the…. what’s that? you don’t like this list?
 
(Hey, Bill Gates might be reading this blog, you never know.)

 
Okay fine, here’s a list that might help you a little more.
 
10 Things Editors Look For in Nonfiction
 
(The dead serious version.)
 
1. Established platform (built-in fans and potential bookbuyers).
 
2. Expertise and/or credentials in the subject area of your book.
 
3. A new and exciting idea, with a terrific title. (Yes, they do exist.)
 
4. A fresh take on a familiar idea. (How many parenting books do we need? Make yours uniquely compelling, and it’s possible we’ll need at least one more.)
 
5. A strong writing voice that compels readers. Yes, the craft of writing counts, even when your message is primary.
 
6. Felt-need takeaways that matter to the reader. Answer the question: What will I get out of this book? What’s in it for me?
 
7. A sellable concept – something people can’t already get for free elsewhere. This can be a tough one considering everything that’s on the Internet.
 
8. An author’s availability and commitment to playing a strong role in the marketing process.
 
9. A concept that could birth logical, sellable ancillary products, should the book take off. (Study guides, DVDs, specialized editions, etc.)
 
10. An author who is already famous (at least in his/her niche or subculture), or knows the right famous people who will offer endorsements or write the foreword.
 
How many can you check off your list?

The post 10 Things Editors Look for in Nonfiction appeared first on Rachelle Gardner.

More writers are hiring editors these days, whether they’re going indie or just making sure the manuscript is polished before submitting to agents and publishers. If you’re a newer writer, unpublished, here are some things I think you should do before spending your hard-earned money on a freelance editor.

(1) Get objective feedback.

It’s best to have a critique group or partner, if possible. Try to get the most honest feedback you can—not on grammar and punctuation, but on the overall content of your book. Are readers finding the book engaging? Are they reading to the end? Are they confused?

(2) Edit & revise your book using reputable sources.

Find fiction resources HERE. My favorites for the revision phase are Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King, and Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell.

Non-fiction resources HERE. Writing a memoir or personal story? Click HERE.

(3) Understand and follow 3-act structure.

This is for fiction and memoir. PLEASE don’t underestimate the importance of story structure. (Tweet this.) If your editor has to spend the bulk of their time fixing your structure and educating you about it, you won’t get the best value for your editing money. You can learn structure on your own—and seriously, your book won’t work without it. A couple of helpful resources are Structuring Your Novel by K.M. Weiland, and Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell.

(4) Read your book out loud to catch awkwardness and poor phrasing.

This is especially helpful to make sure fiction dialogue is snappy and believable. But it helps with any kind of writing. Often when you read it aloud, you’ll catch problems you’d never spot by reading silently. (Tweet this.)

(5) Make sure your editor has edited published books.

It’s difficult to verify the legitimacy and credentials of each editor. So do your best to verify that they’ve edited books that have been published by traditional publishers. It’s your best bet for getting a good edit.

Here are some freelance editors. There are a lot more out there in internet-land! Do your research.

Have you used a freelance editor? Tell us about your experience. Comment below, or by clicking: (Click to Tweet.)

The post 5 Things To Do Before Hiring a Freelance Editor appeared first on Rachelle Gardner.

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