Before You Hire a Reedsy Book Editor: What You Need to Know

Reedsy is a great place to find a book editor with big publisher experience. Whether it's editors, designers, marketers, or publicists, Reedsy is a very high-quality pool of book experts. As an editor and publisher of tens of books and multiple bestsellers, I want to warn against some downsides of hiring an editor willy-nilly. Believe it or not, book editors are human, and Reedsy book editors are no different. They come in all shapes and sizes; just because someone has experience doesn't mean they are right for your book.

Read this post before you hand your manuscript to your new Reedsy editor. Remember, choosing the wrong Reedsy book editor could cost you more than just time and money – it could hurt your book's chances of success. So, take your time, do your homework, and find the perfect editor for your book!

Publishing is About More Than Editing and Grammar and Typesetting

While it's important to have an editor at every stage of the writing process, different types of editing are needed and multiple players need to be brought in at different stages. For a non-fiction book, you need a copy editor to make sure the prose is clear and concise, you need a developmental editor to make sure the big picture makes sense, you need a proofreader to make sure there is consistency with the spelling, grammar, front matter, and back matter, you need a designer for typesetting and designing a beautiful book, and you need a well-rounded editor who understands the market, industry standards, and the publishing industry in general. This is someone who will also keep your timeline cohesive and reasonable on your publishing journey.

So, a good book editor is more like the director of a film than a film editor. The editor of a film is more like a developmental editor or a proofreader.

Self-Publishing is a Misnomer

While you can use Google Docs or MS Word to spell-check your book, enlisting professional editors is a way better tactic. But the truth is, self-publishing correctly is a lot of work. If you don't want your book to look self-published, if you want it to be error-free, attractive, and engaging, you really need a whole team of people at your side. That is why self-publishing is a misnomer. And, in our experience at Raab & Co., this is too much for most people to handle when they set out to elevate their writing and content marketing game to the next level with a book. Do you have time to sign contracts with all these people, vet them, manage them, make sure they are on task, on schedule, and on your team? I can't tell you how many people come to us because one or all of their publishing team or Reedsy editors dropped off the map for a bigger project or to work on their novel or memoir.

There is too much that needs to go right for you to be working with unreliable people. You need to make an epub file, you need to list your book on Amazon, you need to convert the PDF to a Kindle file, you need to prepare the files for IngramSpark, and you need to procure blurbs from industry experts. While you can find all these people on Reedsy, there is a better option.

Real-Time Publishing Support for Busy People

Yeah yeah, this is a marketing post. I recommend hiring a firm like Raab & Co. to manage it all for you. Our team has years of experience working for people like Oprah Winfrey, Neil Patrick Harris, Vice President Al Gore, and other big names. We pride ourselves on working with beginners to publish their first book. We don't use design templates or one-size-fits all methods. Our editorial assessment comes backed with the full weight of our industry experience. We aren't just one freelancer, we are a team that works together.

While you can make a free reedsy account and find people to help you self-published, please don't come to us when something like your page numbers are messed up. (We've seen it happen!) Also, just kidding, you can come to us to help if something like this happens. But we work better starting from the developmental edit or first draft stage. We'll make sure your book achieves your personal and professional goals.

We are your private book publishing concierge. Are you ready? Click here to get in touch.

Do You Want to Take a Gamble on a Reedsy Book Editor?

As a writer, your book is your baby and you don't want to leave anything to chance when it comes to publishing it. That's why you need a reliable team of experts to help you navigate the complex world of self-publishing. While Reedsy can connect you with editors and designers, there is always some risk involved in working with strangers.

If you're serious about publishing your book and want real-time support from experienced professionals, consider hiring a firm like Raab & Co. Our team has worked with high-profile clients and beginners alike, providing tailored services that ensure their books reach their full potential.

At Raab & Co., we understand that publishing your book can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the game. That's why our team of experts is here to guide you through every step of the process. We pride ourselves on providing personalized services that are tailored to your unique needs and goals.

What's stopping you from emailing us?

Communication is key. Fill out our contact form and we can have a jam session exploring your options for publishing a book for your brand or business. We can work with you to clarify your goals, distill your expertise, and plan a reasonable timeline and budget for your project.

Whether you're looking for developmental editing or need help with the first draft of your book, we have a team of professionals who can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. As your private book publishing concierge, we'll work closely with you to ensure that your book is the best it can be.

So why take a gamble on a Reedsy Book Editor when you can have the expertise and support of Raab & Co.? Contact us today to get started on your publishing journey!

People Also Ask These Questions

Book publishing is foreign to a lot of people, here are some questions we have been getting lately (answered mostly by AI :) If you have any other questions, we could talk about this all day, get in touch today.

Can AI write my book?

As of now, AI technology has not advanced to the point where it can write an entire book on its own. While there are some AI programs and tools that can generate text based on given parameters, they lack the creativity, nuance, and depth that only a human writer can provide. Writing a book requires a unique and personal touch that cannot be replicated by any machine. So while AI can certainly assist in certain aspects of writing, such as research and grammar checking, it cannot replace the importance of human input and creativity. But to be honest, an AI is writing this last part of the article for SEO reasons so, they can really do a lot!

Raab & Co. us up to date on all the top technologies to ensure that your book benefits from AI without losing all its humanity.

What is Reedsy?

Reedsy is an online author service marketplace that offers authors in the self-publishing industry on-demand book production services. If you're an author in need of on-demand book production services, Reedsy may be the solution for you. This online author service marketplace provides a variety of services for self-publishing authors, including design, editing, formatting, and more. With Reedsy, you can find experienced professionals to work with on your book project without the hassle of searching for individual freelancers. However, if you're looking for real-time support from experienced professionals who will guide you through every step of the publishing process, consider hiring a firm like Raab & Co.

How does Reedsy editing work?

Reedsy works by connecting authors with a pool of freelance professionals who offer book production services like design, editing, formatting, and more. Once an author signs up on the platform, they can browse through a list of professionals and their portfolios to find the right fit for their project. Authors can then work with these professionals directly to complete their book project.

Is editing with Reedsy free?

No. Reedsy makes money by taking a percentage of the fees charged by freelance professionals who provide book production services through their platform. This commission ranges from 10% to 20%, depending on the service. Reedsy also offers additional paid services, such as marketing and promotion, which generate revenue for the company.

How can I tell if my Reedsy editor or Reedsy developmental editor is actually good?

You can't really tell. That's why we it's safer to work with a firm like Raab & Co. who has vetted professionals up the wazoo. When looking for an editor, it's essential to do your research. Look for reviews or testimonials from other authors who have worked with the editor. Ask for samples of their previous work and see if their editing style aligns with your vision for your project. It's also important to communicate clearly with your editor and ask questions to ensure that they understand your goals and expectations for the project. Ultimately, a good editor should not only improve your manuscript but also help you grow When selecting an editor for your book, be sure to do your research and look for someone who aligns with your vision, improves your manuscript, and helps you grow as a writer.

Can I make my ebook or epub on Reedsy?

Yes, Reedsy offers a book editor tool that allows you to create and format your ebook or epub. The editor is user-friendly and provides various design templates to choose from. You can also import your manuscript into the editor and make edits and changes as needed. Once you're satisfied with the final product, you can publish it directly through Reedsy or export the file for publishing on other platforms. With Reedsy's book editor, you have all the tools necessary to bring your book to life in a professional and polished manner.

How Can I Get a Blurb for My Book?

Getting a blurb for your book can be crucial in promoting and selling it. A blurb is essentially a brief summary or endorsement of your book written by a trusted author or industry professional. To get a blurb for your book, you can start by reaching out to authors and industry professionals who write in a similar genre as yours. You can also attend writing conferences and networking events to connect with potential blurbers.