Blue Diamonds Professional Editing Services

Many people want to have a book published. It could be a novel, a memoir, a motivational or a self-help book - the range is very broad.

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As the author, you complete the book to the best of your ability. The first step is to ask yourself:

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What is my story about? What am I trying to say with my story?

Then you start the writing process.

• The first draft gets the story down on paper.

• In the second draft you check that

  • your story is interesting, clear and well-structured,

  • your characters are realistic, their dialogue is natural and they are believable. The reader needs to identify with the characters.

  • the world you are writing about is sufficient described to spark the reader’s imagination.

• In the third draft you check if you’ve actually said what you want to say and have expressed it clearly. Does your story make sense?

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Then you send it to a book editor. The editor will work with you in identifying weak spots and inconsistencies. This is called developmental editing for which the editor will charge a fee, usually based on an hourly rate. The editor will evaluate plot, pacing, characterisation, dialogue, structure and so on and give you detailed guidance on how to  improve.

When you are satisfied that it is as good as you can make it on your own, you engage the services of the editor. The editor will have a series of meetings with you (often online) to get to know you and for you to get to know them.  If there is a meeting of the minds, so to speak, you then enter into an agreement for them to edit the book.