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 of the main reasons why engineers don't always make great writers is that they tend to assume that their readers already know something about the subject. They then don't spend as much time explaining concepts as is necessary. People who are good at writing and editing will take a complicated idea and explain it in the simplest terms, so that the reader will understand the text and won't lose interest.
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.
Of course your team needs to have excellent language skills. While it's not essential for the author to have perfect spelling and grammar, it will certainly help. It will make the editor's job much easier, so that the project can be completed within a shorter time frame.
One thing to remember is that because your writing and editing team don't necessarily know much about the subject, factual errors may slip through. In a text for engineers this can have disastrous consequences. Therefore, as an extra measure of quality control, find a subject specialist, in other words an engineer, to go through the edited text to ensure it's accurate. This person doesn't need to look at the language but simply at the content.
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 of the main reasons why engineers don't always make great writers is that they tend to assume that their readers already know something about the subject. They then don't spend as much time explaining concepts as is necessary. People who are good at writing and editing will take a complicated idea and explain it in the simplest terms, so that the reader will understand the text and won't lose interest.
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.
Of course your team needs to have excellent language skills. While it's not essential for the author to have perfect spelling and grammar, it will certainly help. It will make the editor's job much easier, so that the project can be completed within a shorter time frame.
One thing to remember is that because your writing and editing team don't necessarily know much about the subject, factual errors may slip through. In a text for engineers this can have disastrous consequences. Therefore, as an extra measure of quality control, find a subject specialist, in other words an engineer, to go through the edited text to ensure it's accurate. This person doesn't need to look at the language but simply at the content.
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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