How much difference will an Editor make to my book sales?

Most answers you will get to this question, Online or elsewhere, will miss the point completely. They think of an editor as someone who does copy-editing, proofreading and error checking. But who really cares about those? A friend can copy-edit. Microsoft Word can proofread and grammar check. A few knowledgeable reviewers can error check for free. None of this stuff makes more than 1% or 5% difference on how much your book will sell. It doesn’t matter.

But what if there were a person out there who could tell you where the big book markets were? What if there was someone who could tell you how to write on target to what that market needs? What if there was someone who could work out how many copies your book idea could sell, and then guide you in outlining it so that you delivered that book perfectly? What if someone existed who could tell you how to hit your target audience so precisely that they would simply have to buy your book?

This person exists.

They are called an Acquisitions Editor.

You should get one of these.

Long before you start to write the book, an AE can guide you in planning the right book for the current market. They will already know the market so well that it will be second nature to them. They will spot straight away when your book proposal is a waste of time. They will save you a year of your life, wasted, and instead guide you toward producing a book plan that could make it the best year you ever spent.

So where do you find one?

Unfortunately, since these people are at the top rung of the Editor’s career ladder, they are invariably employed full-time by a Publisher and often too busy to freelance. The only hope you may have is to befriend one, or simply to offer them a freelance gig they can’t refuse. Basically what I’m saying is that if you really want editorial advice that will make a big (a huge) difference to your book, you will probably have to get it by going the traditional publishing route. Once you have been noticed by a Publisher, their Acquisitions Editor will work with you on your book synopsis and outline to make it shine, and once they’re happy with it they may offer you a contract.