Author: Wendy Duncan
Date:   01-13-02 07:20

You'll need (and get) final editing services via acceptance of your manuscript, most likely. Let them pay for the final tweaking. As a writer, you always want to put your best work forward, so who knows better what you're trying to say and how to say it? Pre-edit before submitting. Unless you have numerous or glaring mistakes, they will be able to see past it and evaluate the work.

It's always good to have someone who is capable and will have an honest response read your work. By capabale, I mean someone who has a command of the language and its usage, and well-read enough to understand your genre and how your work reads. By honest, I'm not referring to your mom or sister who loves you too much to give you critical feedback and not just love pats. If you can find one person who fits both descriptions.. .Nirvana! Treat them well at Christmas!

I never recommend paid editing right out of the box, as there are (as mentioned) a lot of ways to get fleeced. Do as much polishing as you can, then send that baby out there to face the cold, cruel world. Hopefully, if it's rejected a few times, you'll at least get some commentary to steer you toward refinement.

Best of luck,
Wendy D.