Two first essential marketing tools for every author: outstanding query letter and outstanding book proposal-a Wow Proposal. Don't put editors to sleep or frustrate them with amateur work. Permission to go to the next step often follows the wow proposal; trashcan usually takes the one that does not wow. The chief Wow Factors? Good work, no frills, powerful words, efficient expression, excitement, thoroughness, no missing parts.
It's good practice to hire a professional editor to edit at least one chapter. You can learn from the recommended changes and the goof-ups that are found. Save your time and money by editing yourself before you put your writing into a professional's hands!
