I realized that I’ve done posts on self-editing and starting your own editing business, but I haven’t talked about finding a good editor. It doesn’t matter how amazing you are at grammar and writing stories, you MUST get an editor if you plan to publish. If you do traditional publishing, the publisher will already have an editor for you. If you do independent publishing, you have to find the editor(s) on your own. Let’s talk about what to look for when picking an editor, and then we’ll discuss how to evaluate your experience with the editor to know if you should continue using those services or find a new editor.
How to Find An Editor
There are a million editors out there, and it can make the search for a good editor intimidating. The best way to start is to ask your fellow authors who they use. You can use the same editor, if they fit what you need, or you could reach out to that editor and ask for referrals. If you don’t have anyone to ask, you will need to search the internet for options. Like any other job field, there are scammers out there. So, below are major points to research about an editor to make sure they are legit and a good fit for you.
5 Things To Look For With Editors
Let’s look at five elements to check about editors before you agree to use their services.
1. Types Of Services
The first thing you need to know before searching for an editor is that there is more than one type of editing. The two major editorial types are developmental editing (also called content editing) and line editing. Developmental editing is when the editor analyzes the story itself for flaws. Line editing is centered on cleaning up prose and grammar. If an editor you are researching says he does edits and doesn’t specify which types, he is not a good editor to hire.
My advice is to have both types of edits done before you publish. What’s the point of publishing a book if the story is flawed or poor grammar distracts readers from the tale? If you want to give your story its best chance at success, you should have both types of edits done. Some editors offer both services while others specialize in only one type (like I only do developmental edits). So, when you’re searching for an editor, find someone to do developmental edits first and then do a second round for line edits either with that editor or a different one.
2. Price
The top thing on everyone’s list when searching for an editor is price. The costs will vary depending on the type of edits. There will also be a range of prices between editors depending on their experience level. If you are on a tight budget, you might want to give a newer editor a chance. However, beware of anyone who offers a price that is drastically below other quotes. A professional won’t undersell themselves, and the editor that does is probably not very good.
3. Experience
You will want to research what kind of experience an editor has before you work with him. If you are doing developmental edits, you’ll need to make sure he has done other works in your genre and has a good understanding of that style. An editor of thriller books may not be a good choice to edit a children’s book.
Check to see what others are saying about the editor as well. There should be reviews or testimonials on the editor’s website. You can read them and see who has used the editor in the past. Also, you can research the authors and maybe even reach out to them to get their feedback on working with the editor. If you don’t see any testimonials on the website, don’t be afraid to contact the editor and ask for references. If the editor is legit, he should be able to produce a list of stories he’s worked on or some contact information for authors he’s helped.
4. Samples
One thing I always recommend for writers is to get a sample from editors before hiring them. This gives the editor a chance to get a feel for your work while also giving you the chance to see if the editor’s feedback is helpful for you. There is also nothing wrong with asking for samples from multiple editors at once. Just because an editor has good feedback, doesn’t mean there isn’t another out there with feedback that will connect with you more. Try a few and see which one sticks out to you.
5. Written Agreement
One thing I didn’t know until I took classes on being an editor was that any professional editor will have a written agreement. These may not be rigorous contracts like you’d sign with an agent or publisher, but they should clearly lay out what is expected of both editor and author. There should be information on price, timeline, edit types, payment plan, reasons to cancel the service, and rights to the work. That last one is very important. You are paying them to edit, and that doesn’t mean they have any right to the work. Make sure there is a clause that states full rights remain with the author.
Another thing to look at is the timeline in the agreement. If the editor says the work will be done in two days, don’t hire him. Developmental edits not only require the editor to read the story but also analyze it. Someone may be able to read a book in two days, but any feedback you get will be shallow. On the other hand, line edits take a high amount of focus. The editor should take his time reading and making suggestions, taking breaks to rest his eyes and mind so he doesn’t miss anything. (Well, maybe so he misses less. No editor is perfect.) An average turnaround time is two weeks to a month, but every editor will vary.
Evaluating The Editor
The only way to know for sure if an editor is a good fit for you is to hire him. I know, it’s a risk and hard to part with money on a chance, but you won’t know for sure until you try. After you work with an editor, there are two main ways to evaluate him and see if he is someone you want to hire again.
Level Of Professionalism
First thing to do is review how professional the editor was during your time together. Did he respond to emails in a timely manner? Were the responses done in a nice tone or did the editor have bad manners? Did he meet the deadline he set for returning your work? If he offers a second round of edits, does he offer it at a discounted price? All of these questions help you know if you’d like to work with him again or find a new editor.
You can also check the track changes and comments on the document for timestamps and see how much time he put into the work. If all the feedback was given in a short time frame, he may not have put a lot of effort into it. However, you need to compare the time spent with the level of feedback. If the comments are all deep and helpful, the editor may create notes elsewhere and transfer the work to the document later. But if the comments are all simple, the editor may not have spent much time on it.
Helpful Feedback
Besides evaluating your interactions with the editor, you should look at the feedback you received. Do you see a big improvement in the story if you use the editor’s advice? For a line editor, did he make the sentences clearer and more concise? Did he catch many grammar issues that spellcheck missed? For a developmental editor, did he find major plot flaws or see how character arcs can be improved? Most feedback you get on the story will feel abrasive at first, but, when you step back and look at it as advice from someone who wants you to succeed, does the feedback make the book better?
You also want to make sure the editor gets you and what you are trying to do with the book. Did he suggest changes that enhance your theme? Did all his comments try to strip away your voice or did he try to sharpen it? While you want to improve your story and prose, you don’t want to lose what makes the books special to you. Real editors will see that and support you.
Final Thoughts
Searching for an editor is about as intimidating as finding an agent or publisher, but the difference is that you are completely in charge. You can pick who is right for you, and, if you decide later you don’t fit well, you can move on. You aren’t tied to your editor for life. However, most authors do stick with one editor for their career once they find a good one. After you find someone who gets you and balances out your weaknesses, it’s hard to let that partnership go.
Thanks for reading!
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