How to Find the Right Professional Editor for Your Book
The right editor can make the difference between a book and a great book.
If you’re an author, writer, or thought leader and you’re working on a book, you are likely looking for an editor who can help you make sure your book is on point, or your characters are developed as fully as possible.
This is no easy task. Books demand an investment in time and energy.
If you’re looking to improve you’re writing, or even get help getting started, you can use the tips and advice below to help you find the right professional editor for your book project.
How to Find an Editor
Editors seem to be hiding under every log these days. Here are few places you can start:
Freelance editors – These editors can usually be found via their website with some specific google searches. Try "professional developmental editor" or "professional writing coach fiction" as a starting place. You should find dedicated or part-time editors with mixed levels of experience. Look for references, sample edit documents, and other indicators of credibility. Better yet, get the editor on the phone and hear for yourself what she has to say about how she can help you.
Fiverr and Upwork – New internet platforms, like Fiverr and Upwork, have sprung up to help create a marketplace for freelancers and curious clients. These marketplaces can be crowded and overwhelming, with a great editor hiding among the thousands. The level of expertise varies greatly and correlates strongly with the prices being charged. The challenge with these freelancing platforms is the lure of low prices. Many of my clients come to me after they've paid a nominal price and wasted weeks and months after hiring an unknown editor on Fiverr or Upwork. Take your time researching each editor. And don’t forget to treat them with respect. Just because they’re behind a profile doesn’t mean they’re not human.
Publishing House Pros – Editors who work at publishing houses are often trying to earn some extra cash by picking up side gigs. These editors can be great resources since they’ve been in the industry, but they also charge higher rates. The challenge is finding these editors, since they often only work through word-of-mouth.
Referrals from a Friend – Do you have any friends who've published a book? It can be helpful to ask a friend with first-hand experience.
How to Choose an Editor
With all the noise, how do you find the right editor for you? Here are a few things to consider when selecting your editor:
1. This isn’t just a service—it’s a relationship.
Relationships are built on trust. Do you trust the person on the other end of the computer or phone? After all, they have your creation in their hands.
2. Are they vulnerable?
Although the process may seem straightforward, working with an editor should be a vulnerable process—in a good way. Writing the best story takes opening yourself up so that your experiences, passions, flaws, and hard-earned expertise can touch your readers. A great editor will understand these nuances and hold them with the greatest reverence and sensitivity. In addition, a great editor will be able to support you as a trustworthy confidant and a coach who is able to create space for you to unlock your true writing potential. When assessing a relationship with your potential editor, let your intuition guide you. Is there a connection? Do they exhibit the traits an emotionally intelligent person should exhibit? If you feel any hesitation, look elsewhere.
3. Talk to a person.
Don’t be afraid to use the phone or Skype. In fact, if you’re not able to connect with your editor verbally, it could hinder the editing process. In the conversation, get to know each other personally, then explore what you’d like to accomplish with your book. Share the inspiration behind writing it. A personal connection will create better writing on your side and an editor who is able to support you better on theirs.
4. Ask your editor how they like to communicate.
Some editors want to do the job, turn it in, and move along. Others might want to share updates with you along the way, especially if they’re navigating multiple projects and determining timelines as they go. Explore how frequently they’ll be in touch, and how they like to be in touch (email, phone calls, texts). Similarly, share what your preferred method of communication is, and ask if you can be in touch before, during, and/or after the process. By defining your expectations and preferences, you’ll avoid the pain of not knowing if you can check in.
5. Determine your budget.
Editors vary widely in price. The old adage holds true—you get what you pay for.
If someone says they’ll edit your 80,000-word book for $300, proceed with caution. At the same time, someone who asks for an exorbitant sum might be a profiteer.
6. Get a quote.
If you want to get a quote from an editor, you will need to provide them with the current state of your project (your manuscript or outline or if you're still at the Hopes and Dreams stage), where you want to go, and where you are finding the most challenges. An editor can use this information to provide you a quote for the project. Editing quotes are usually on a $/ word basis. Sometimes they are a flat project fee. Make sure you understand what you are getting for this price. Will you get multiple passes, or read-throughs, by the editor? Will you get two versions of your document, one with Tracked Changes Accepted and one without? Will your editor guarantee your satisfaction at the end of the project?
*Important Note*: Chances are your editor won’t offer discounts—this is their livelihood, after all. But they may be willing to adjust the project scope to work inside your needs. When in doubt, ask if you can work something out!
7. Define very clear deliverables.
There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of your project and realizing you had different objectives in mind. You don’t want to be stuck in that situation. A great editor will work to set very clear expectations, but you should also take the initiative. Be painstakingly clear in your expectations, and perhaps even get them in writing so your editor and you are on the exact same page.
8. Be patient.
Finding an editor is a dance. Inevitably, you will go back-and-forth with people as you both assess whether or not this is the right fit. Know that your candidates also want this project to be successful. It doesn’t benefit them to take on projects to which they’re ill suited, only to have a negative outcome. Be patient. Ask lots of questions. Only say “yes!” when you feel it 100%. Let the process unfold naturally rather than trying to force it.
Now, don't delay. Your world is waiting for your story!
{About Laura Thomas}
Laura founded Next Level Story to help authors unlock their stories' true potential. She's an in-demand developmental wizard, er, editor and writer who's helped dozens of writers, speakers, and thought leaders. She's been writing and acting for over 20 years, including 2X Storytelling State Champion (Go Eastview!). Laura publishes around the web daily and is a Top Advice Writer for Medium. Full bio
