Writing help is available in a variety of types and wide range of qualities of service. Here are some tips to help you determine what level of writing help you need and how to find a quality rewriting expert.
Writing Help Tip # ONE: Sometimes an author is well aware of his limitations. Sometimes he is not. If not, have several random readers (not experts) give your piece a read and share their reactions with you. Even if they don’t actually criticize it – often friend won’t – you will get a sense for what has worked and what hasn’t. (Ask that, even.) An alternative is to send the manuscript to a professional “Reader”. They charge either by the hour or the page and offer a short written critique. It will explain what kinds of writing help or rewriting services are required.
Writing Help Tip # TWO: Always read writing samples of a potential rewriting colleague. It will give you a sense of the tone and style he or she prefers. If that kind of rewriting fits your own style, fine. If not, look further for your writing help. Beware of those who have, themselves, not published.
Writing Help Tip # THREE: Get three commitments from the one who will be doing your rewriting.
Establish the total fee. Even if it is figured on a per finished page basis, you should still be able to get a very close estimate. (Rewrites are usually somewhat shorter than the original.) Professionals usually require half up front and the other half before the finished manuscript is released to you.
If you have a necessary time-line, make sure to get a solid commitment about when it will be finished. Count on it taking a longer rather than a shorter time.
Arrive at an understanding about revisions subsequent to your receiving the original revision. Some rewriting services provide one set of minimal revisions according to your directions. Other will charge a per word or hourly fee for revisions. It is typical for rewriting professionals to do a one shot rewrite and leave further modification to you. Actually, that usually works quite well as it gives you the final control over the piece.
Writing Help Tip # FOUR: Before you commit yourself to an arrangement, have the rewriting service actually rewrite a page or two for you the way they plan to do it. This is a small sample of the rewriting and its quality, but it will tell you a great deal about the level of writing help you can expect.
Writing Help Tip # FIVE: You must understand ahead of time that no rewriting service can (or should) guarantee the revised manuscript will be published. A quality, accurately written piece has the best chance of being published but there are other things to consider such as the appeal of the topic and characters, and the nature of the message sent by the piece.
Writing Help Tip # SIX: Even before you receive your revised manuscript, begin searching out potential publishers (Writer’s Market). Submit only to those who say they are looking for your kind of piece and prepare each submission exactly according to each individual publisher’s guidelines. Finally, be prepared to submit it over and over again. The author of the hit novel, The Help, reports she received 60 rejection letter before she sold her book to a publisher. So, be patient! Successful searching. Good luck!
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