When it comes to choosing writers and editors for projects, you need the right person for the job. Not everyone can work with any kind of text. Some prefer working on fiction, for instance, while others are great at travel books. Certain areas are very specialized though. For example, if you're going to produce a book that engineers would use, you need an engineering technical writer and editor.
Many people think that technical writers and editors should be qualified specialists in the subject they're writing about. However, this isn't always the case. While it's certainly ideal to have an engineer writing or editing your book, it's more important to choose someone who can write and edit well, even if they know nothing about engineering.
One reason why engineers don't automatically make a good choice is that they may assume that their readers will already understand the concepts in the text. However, someone new to the field may not always know what certain terms mean. People with a background in writing and editing know this and will ensure that they explain every concept in a way that is easy to understand.
Another important quality to look for is research skills. Authors should be able to use a variety of sources to ensure that the text is factually correct. In addition, editors should be able and willing to check facts rather than simply assuming that the author has done so. Writers and editors both should have an enquiring and analytical mind too in order to think about the facts and to understand the concepts themselves.
Editors naturally need to be excellent at going through texts and correcting grammar and spelling. They should also be able to restructure sentences or even entire paragraphs to make the text as readable as possible. However, you can shave weeks off the production process by choosing an author who pays attention to spelling, grammar and structure too, since the editor will be able to get through the text more quickly. In addition, light edits cost much less than rewrites of texts.
It's a good idea to include at least one subject specialist in your writing and editing team. This person's job won't be to check spelling, grammar and syntax but rather to double-check facts. For instance, they will check calculations and formulas for accuracy, since this could make the difference between a strong and safe construction and one that will collapse. Your best candidate for being the subject specialist would be an engineer.
Finding writers and editors with the right background can be done by contacting specialist employment agencies or websites. However, you need to thoroughly check the candidates' background and experience. Don't be afraid to ask for references and for samples of their work. Professionals won't be offended but will gladly provide these.
Also remember that professional language practitioners won't work for rates that are far below average. Therefore, ensure that your budget allows for market-related remuneration. Be realistic about the time frame in which to complete the project too. Taking a little more time will produce a better end product.
Many people think that technical writers and editors should be qualified specialists in the subject they're writing about. However, this isn't always the case. While it's certainly ideal to have an engineer writing or editing your book, it's more important to choose someone who can write and edit well, even if they know nothing about engineering.
One reason why engineers don't automatically make a good choice is that they may assume that their readers will already understand the concepts in the text. However, someone new to the field may not always know what certain terms mean. People with a background in writing and editing know this and will ensure that they explain every concept in a way that is easy to understand.
Another important quality to look for is research skills. Authors should be able to use a variety of sources to ensure that the text is factually correct. In addition, editors should be able and willing to check facts rather than simply assuming that the author has done so. Writers and editors both should have an enquiring and analytical mind too in order to think about the facts and to understand the concepts themselves.
Editors naturally need to be excellent at going through texts and correcting grammar and spelling. They should also be able to restructure sentences or even entire paragraphs to make the text as readable as possible. However, you can shave weeks off the production process by choosing an author who pays attention to spelling, grammar and structure too, since the editor will be able to get through the text more quickly. In addition, light edits cost much less than rewrites of texts.
It's a good idea to include at least one subject specialist in your writing and editing team. This person's job won't be to check spelling, grammar and syntax but rather to double-check facts. For instance, they will check calculations and formulas for accuracy, since this could make the difference between a strong and safe construction and one that will collapse. Your best candidate for being the subject specialist would be an engineer.
Finding writers and editors with the right background can be done by contacting specialist employment agencies or websites. However, you need to thoroughly check the candidates' background and experience. Don't be afraid to ask for references and for samples of their work. Professionals won't be offended but will gladly provide these.
Also remember that professional language practitioners won't work for rates that are far below average. Therefore, ensure that your budget allows for market-related remuneration. Be realistic about the time frame in which to complete the project too. Taking a little more time will produce a better end product.
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