If you want a book about a specialist subject, you need to choose a writing and editorial team that can offer more than just a way with words. Someone who normally writes fiction may not have the knowledge or indeed the specific skills to get a technical message across. This is why knowing what to look for in an engineering technical writer and editor is essential if you want to produce books in this subject area.
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.
Great technical writers and editors have excellent research skills. In fact, they like doing research and learning new things. They won't just take everything at face value but will think deeper about the facts to ensure that they really understand the subject before trying to find ways of explaining it to the reader.
Editors naturally need to be excellent at going through texts and correcting grammar and spelling. They should also be able to restructure sentences or even entire paragraphs to make the text as readable as possible. However, you can shave weeks off the production process by choosing an author who pays attention to spelling, grammar and structure too, since the editor will be able to get through the text more quickly. In addition, light edits cost much less than rewrites of texts.
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.
If you don't already have access to a database of language practitioners who can be members of your team, one good route to go is to advertise the job on a freelancing website. Then, check the backgrounds of the different applicants to see whether they have the experience and expertise you need. Also go through the feedback each candidate has received from previous employers. You may also ask for a short writing or editing sample before making your final choice.
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.
Great technical writers and editors have excellent research skills. In fact, they like doing research and learning new things. They won't just take everything at face value but will think deeper about the facts to ensure that they really understand the subject before trying to find ways of explaining it to the reader.
Editors naturally need to be excellent at going through texts and correcting grammar and spelling. They should also be able to restructure sentences or even entire paragraphs to make the text as readable as possible. However, you can shave weeks off the production process by choosing an author who pays attention to spelling, grammar and structure too, since the editor will be able to get through the text more quickly. In addition, light edits cost much less than rewrites of texts.
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.
If you don't already have access to a database of language practitioners who can be members of your team, one good route to go is to advertise the job on a freelancing website. Then, check the backgrounds of the different applicants to see whether they have the experience and expertise you need. Also go through the feedback each candidate has received from previous employers. You may also ask for a short writing or editing sample before making your final choice.
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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