Editor vs Beta Reader…which one is better? For indie authors on a budget, it’s an important question. No doubt, a beta reader can save you money that you would spend on an editor, but a savvy writer knows that there’s a big difference between the two and your role in monitoring each one.
If you are relying on beta readers to review your books prior to publication, you need to ensure that you provide them with specific instructions. If you only ask them to read your book, you’re probably only getting proofreading, which is very different from editing. Let me explain.
Proofreading will ensure that typos are caught. Perhaps it will also eliminate formatting errors. If you’re lucky, a good proofreader will also find grammatical errors. So why am I still an advocate of getting an editor?
An editor does more than proofread. A qualified editor will focus on the content as well. And, a really terrific editor will do so while still ensuring that your words sound like you. Read on…
Besides the proofreading issues listed above, a good editor will also do the following:
- Analyze if the pacing of your book unfolds in an engaging way, creating a “page turner.”
- Determine if your characters show strong arcs.
- Ensure that dialogue reads naturally and each character has a unique “voice”.
- Avoid cliche writing both in plot points and dialogue.
And perhaps most importantly, a good editor will be a well-read person that can advice you if other similar stories are on the market and if so, how yours can stand out from the crowd.
Best of all, engaging the services of an editor doesn’t have to break the bank. The funds you spend on an editor, such as Evatopia, is money well spent if it guarantees that you put out a better product, which is ultimately the goal for every writer.
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