I have been asked a few times of late about whether a writer should hire an editor before pitching to an editor or agent. After all, if those gatekeepers love the idea, won’t they provide an editor to clean it up?

1) Editors cost money. If they receive a manuscript with a great idea that ALSO is clean, well-written, and clearly comfortable with grammar, don’t you think they’ll go for that one over one with just a great idea? The less they have to beat up a manuscript, the easier an author is to work with, the more attractive the deal.

2) Clean manuscripts demonstrate dedication. A good idea in a clean manuscript that the author put a great deal of effort into presenting makes a grand impact on agents and publishers.

3) Clean manuscripts underline talent. Don’t send a manuscript and expect them to look through errors or rough patches to find the magic. The patches will win every time. A clean and edited manuscript allows the agents or publisher to just read the story and grasp the brilliance without being distracted.

Good ideas are a dime a dozen. Good writing of good ideas not so much. Be the cream that rises to the top and invest into the best manuscript you can offer. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.