If you write a book that deals with computers or the Internet you will likely have an important cog in your editorial process in the form of a Technical Editor.

Your Tech Editor watches your back and checks your steps, facts and work process.

A Tech Editor is your guarantee of excellence — but if that editor drops the ball in the review process and begins missing deadlines — the entire book project is plunged into jeopardy.

Delays of even a few days in replacing a misbegotten Tech Editor quickly translates into thousands of lost dollars because the book is late to the marketplace.

The lesson is this: Pick your Tech Editors wisely and those you know may not be any better than those you have yet to meet.

Money, deadlines and responsibility can wound even the best informal relationship so choose wisely and carry a big blue pencil.