I regularly see a lot of posts asking about how to find a good editor (and avoid scams). As a professional editor for 20+ years, I’ve put together this advice for you.
Phase 1: The Search
1. GENRE: I say this all the time, and I’ll say it again: You wouldn't ask an electrician to work on your plumbing. Likewise, find an editor who’s passionate and knowledgeable about your genre.
2. SOURCE WISELY: You can find professional editors on sites like Reedsy and the Editorial Freelancers Association, but finding the right editor is like buying a car. Watch out for lemons. The same goes for Fiverr and Upwork. Be careful, and do your due diligence to verify the editor’s abilities (see the vetting section below). Verbal recommendations can be priceless.
3. CHECK THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: If you find an author whose work is similar to yours in terms of genre, tone, etc., read the book’s Acknowledgements section for the name of their editor.
4. FIRST LANGUAGE: Note if English isn’t their first language. Of course a non-native English speaker can be a fantastic editor. Heck, I have international clients whose grammar is phenomenal. But there are nuances and contexts non-native speakers can miss. And a British editor might miss American idioms (and vice versa).
Phase 2: Vetting
1. SAMPLE EDIT: Many editors will provide you with a sample edit for your first chapter or the first 5 pages, etc. We understand that handing over your hard work can feel terrifying, so a sample edit gives you a chance to see what edits we make and why and if you feel confident with them cleaning up your manuscript.
2. BACKGROUND: How did your editor learn their craft? A former-coworker used to place commas based on where she heard pauses in her head. Why’s that concerning? Because we all naturally pause in different places. Commas have rules for a reason. Once you know them, you can choose to break them for effect.
But not knowing them does not an editor make. I’ve also run into editors who do this as a hobby. Cool. But how much do they know? For example, do they know that you don’t add a comma between “not only … but also … ” because that’s a correlative conjunction? When they spot a plot hole, do they know how to assess your current structure and identify what might be missing? I’m not saying don’t use them. But it’s always wise to know what you can expect from them.
3. NO REWRITING: Yes, an editor might suggest a clearer way of expressing the idea you already provided. That’s because our job is to make sure the reader sees what YOU want them to see and that the reader doesn’t trip over awkward, confusing sentences. But we don’t tell you how to rewrite your story. We identify your goals and help you achieve them.
If you find you do need more hands-on guidance with your plot, you might actually need a developmental editor or a book coach. Not sure which one would fit your needs? Check out my guide on Book Coaches vs. Editors: What's the Difference?
4. ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR PROCESS: Here are a bunch of questions I recommend you ask:
- On average, how long do you spend working on a manuscript?
- Do you use Track Changes to record all edits?
- Do you provide feedback or suggestions? If so, how do you provide that feedback? How do you decide what to comment on?
(If you’re not sure what that should look like, here’s the answer I give my clients: I identify your goal for the scene and chapter. Then I look at your text and identify what supports that goal and what distracts from that goal. Then my feedback focuses on either how you can bring the distractions into alignment with your goal or why I’d recommend you cut that bit.) - What's your communication style? Do you make all your suggested changes and then return the document, or do you ask real-time questions while editing my document?
- Do you explain why you make certain edits via comments? Why or why not?
- Do you base your edits on the Chicago Manual of Style, the style guide most publishing houses follow?
- How do you determine your rate?
- Can I split the payment into half upfront and half at the end?
NOTE: I tend to provide my clients with a lot of comments because I want them to understand why I make changes (e.g., switching from passive to active voice) so they recognize that I’m not making these edits based on personal preferences and so they can learn from those changes too. Not all editors do this (it’s time consuming, to say the least), but it’s worth asking if yours does.
Phase 3: The Business Side
1. THE CONTRACT: Make sure your editor has a contract or agreement. If the editor doesn’t do such things, you have no means to hold them accountable. It should clearly outline both parties’ expectations and protect your intellectual property rights.
2. THE RATE: Yes, hiring a professional editor is an investment. Depending on the level of editing a manuscript requires, a line editor can edit between 1–3k words an hour. For a line or developmental edit, it’s closer to 1k words per hour. If you have an 80k manuscript, that equals about 80 hours of work for 1 read through (we usually read a manuscript more than once). The Editorial Freelancers Association recommends 4¢ to 4.5¢ per word. Hence the rates we quote.
3. LESS EXPENSIVE EDITORS: Plenty of editors charge less for various reasons. Just please ask them questions, get that sample edit, and ask why they charge what they do. Be careful. We all know the saying you get what you pay for.
4. TIMELINE WARNING: If an editor can return your 100k manuscript in 1-2 weeks, proceed with caution. Remember that 80-hour quote? Plus, many editors limit their hours per day because that intense focus and decision-making leads to brain fatigue, which hinders judgement and concentration.
5. BUDGET-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES: Look into online grammar courses, craft workshops, and YouTube videos to brush up on basic grammar, strengthening your prose, and breaking down structure and plot. You can also seek help from a former English teacher, or maybe your writing group has a grammar enthusiast. Another option is the barter system. For example, one of my clients helps me with creating social media posts and other administrative tasks, and I give her a discount on her editing.
The Wrap Up
Finding the right editor can make a world of difference with your writing, speed up your entire process, and set you on the right path for your author career. So take your time, do your due diligence, and trust your gut.
You and your story deserve to do this right, especially given all the time and passion you’ve poured into those pages!
If you’d like more tips and recommendations, I have a several resources available for you. You can download my Self-Publishing Checklist here to see the big picture, or feel free to reach out if you're looking for my curated list of editors.
