The Complete Guide to Preparing Your Manuscript Before Sending It to an Editor
You've spent months—maybe even years—pouring your heart and soul into your manuscript. The characters feel real, the plot twists are perfect, and you're finally ready to hand it over to a professional editor. But wait! Before you hit that send button, there's crucial groundwork to be done. Sending an unprepared manuscript to an editor is like showing up to a job interview in your pajamas—technically possible, but not exactly setting yourself up for success.
Complete Your Self-Editing First
Professional editing is an investment, and you want to maximize every dollar spent. Before your manuscript reaches an editor's desk, it should be the absolute best version you can produce. This means going beyond a simple spell-check.
Read your manuscript aloud—yes, every single word. You'll catch awkward phrasing, repetitive words, and rhythm issues that your eyes might skip over when reading silently. Take breaks between editing sessions to approach your work with fresh eyes. Consider using tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for a preliminary grammar check, but remember: these are aids, not replacements for human judgment.
Key Self-Editing Checklist:
- Check for plot holes and inconsistencies in your storyline
- Eliminate unnecessary adverbs and weak verb choices
- Ensure character voices remain consistent throughout
- Remove filler words and redundant phrases
- Verify that your opening hooks readers immediately
Format Your Manuscript Professionally
Presentation matters. A properly formatted manuscript shows professionalism and makes an editor's job significantly easier—which often translates to better feedback and potentially lower costs.
Use a standard, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial in 12-point size. Set your margins to one inch on all sides and use double-spacing throughout. Include a header with your last name and page number on every page except the title page. Start each new chapter on a fresh page, and use a single space after periods, not two.
Organize Your Supporting Materials
Professional editors work more efficiently when they understand your vision and specific concerns. Prepare a brief synopsis of your work, noting the genre, target audience, and word count. Create a style sheet if you've made deliberate choices about spelling, capitalization, or terminology—especially important for fantasy or science fiction with invented words.
Include a clear list of your priorities. Are you most concerned about plot structure? Character development? Grammar and punctuation? Knowing your focus areas helps editors tailor their approach to your needs.
Back Up Everything and Verify File Compatibility
Technology fails at the worst possible moments. Before sending your manuscript, create multiple backups—save copies to cloud storage, an external hard drive, and email a copy to yourself. Verify that your file format is compatible with your editor's requirements; most prefer Microsoft Word (.docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).
Finally, do one last read-through of the exact file you're sending. It's surprisingly common to accidentally send an outdated draft.
Ready, Set, Submit!
Preparing your manuscript properly demonstrates respect for your editor's time and expertise while ensuring you get the most value from their services. Remember, editors are your partners in making your work shine—not miracle workers who can fix fundamental issues that you should address first. Take the time to prepare thoroughly, and you'll receive more focused, valuable feedback that truly elevates your manuscript to publication-ready status.