Why you should always request samples edits for your stories

As an author, having your work edited is an essential step in the publishing process.

A copyeditor's job is to review your work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, as well as to ensure that your writing is clear and consistent.

​While you may be confident in your own editing skills, it's always a good idea to have a professional copyeditor review your work to ensure that it is of the highest quality.

Always request samples before agreeing to a project

One, and the best, way to ensure that you are getting the best editing services possible is to request samples from potential copyeditors.

​This will allow you to see the kind of work that he or she is capable of, and will help you to make an informed decision about which editor is the best fit for your project.

The Top 4 Reason to Request a Sample Edit

1)  Quality assurance: By reviewing a copyeditor's previous work, you can get a sense of their level of skill level and attention to detail.

This will give you confidence that your work will be edited to your expectations.

2) Style Preference: Different copyeditors have different styles when it comes to editing. Some may be more hands-on and make a lot of changes to your work, while others may take a more minimal approach.

By reviewing a sample edit, you can get a sense of which style the editor uses and determine if it's a good fit for your story. 

3) Communication: Good communication is key to a successful working relationship; requesting samples is also a great way to gauge the communication skills of a potential copyeditor. Are they able to explain their edits clearly and provide helpful feedback? 

4)  Helps you see the value of their work: Finally, requesting samples can help you to determine whether a particular copyeditor is offering good value for money: By reviewing the sample edit, and any previous work, you can get a sense of the level of service they provide and whether their rates are in line with the quality of their work you're expecting

requesting samples from copyeditors is an essential step in the editing process. It allows you to assess the quality of their work, determine their style preference, gauge their communication skills, and ultimately figure out ensure that you are getting good value for money.

If your toilet is clogged, you can hire an plumber in town to fix it but your book is far more important (unless you had tacos for dinner). Fit is important when looking for an editor or proofreader. 

Don't be afraid to ask for samples – it will ultimately lead to a better edited book for you.