Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Book Editor
When you were a kid, which teachers, coaches and mentors had the biggest impact on you? Were they the adults who stuck to the content and embraced the hierarchy of authority figure vs. student? Or were they the ones who treated you as an equal, made you feel seen and gave you grace for your mistakes?
Editing, much like teaching or coaching, has a lot to do with relationships. That’s because sharing your writing requires vulnerability, especially when the goal is to receive constructive feedback that may not always be positive. And if the foundation of a good rapport isn’t there, writers can come away feeling disappointed and discouraged rather than inspired and supported.
For this reason, choosing an editor is one of the most important decisions independent authors make on their publishing journey. It’s not a choice to be taken lightly, and going with the first — or cheapest — option you find online is often unlikely to produce a great match.
Instead, try treating the process of finding an editor like buying a house or a car. You want to ensure that the return will be worth your investment, so take the time to do your research and weigh the options. Browse directories from organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES: The Society for Editing, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, the Alliance of Independent Authors or PEN America to locate vetted professionals in your desired area of expertise.
Once you’ve narrowed the pool down to a few potential candidates, here are some of the questions you should ask:
What type of editing do you offer?
Unless you’ve worked in publishing or self-published a book on your own, you may not be aware that there are several types of editing. Each serves a different function and occurs at a different stage in the editorial process, so it’s important to find the right type of editor for your current phase.
Developmental editing typically happens first, and focuses on the content of your manuscript. The goal is to strengthen elements like the plot, characterization and themes of the work. Then the manuscript moves on to line editing, which concentrates on the language, voice and style, and then copy editing, which looks at spelling, grammar, punctuation and clarity. The final step is proofreading, which occurs after the book has been formatted for print. Some editors offer all of these services, while others may only offer one or two.
Ideally, your manuscript should go through each of the editing phases, which means you may need to work with more than one editor. Find out upfront which types of editing your prospective editor offers so that you’re aware from the beginning whether you’ll need to hire more than one person.
What genres do you specialize in?
There are certainly editors out there who are generalists, but many specialize in a particular genre or even subgenre. Working with an editor in your niche can be especially helpful if you are a genre author, because that editor should be aware of the various tropes and conventions that are specific to your areas. This question is also important to ask because it can help you avoid a genre mismatch. If you’re writing a psychological thriller, for example, an editor who specializes in science fiction may not be the best fit for your needs. Or, if you’re a romance writer, you might not want to work with an editor who only reads and enjoys literary fiction.
Similarly, if an editor works primarily with nonfiction authors, they likely won’t be suited to a high-fantasy series or horror novel, just as a literary editor may not be the best choice to edit a memoir or self-help book. You’re looking for an editor who will champion your work and put significant effort into improving it. Usually, the best person for the job is someone who loves the genre you’re writing in and reads that type of writing in their spare time.
What is your training and experience?
Since there’s no single path to becoming an editor, there’s no single piece of expertise to look for on a resume as absolute proof of a professional’s chops. Some editors hold degrees in English, communications or journalism, or may have earned a specialized certificate in copy editing or coaching. Others may not have a degree but may have previous experience in traditional publishing or a related field. And others may have built their skills through professional development and continuing education courses offered by some of the membership organizations I listed earlier.
Most editors are happy to share a bit of context about their background and training in the industry. You can also ask for titles of books the candidate has previously worked on, or examples of feedback from their prior clients. Many editors publish testimonials on their websites for this exact reason.
Do you offer sample edits?
This is, in my opinion, of the most important subjects to broach with a potential editor. Many book editors will offer to edit a short section of your manuscript — perhaps up to 10 pages — to help you get a sense of their style and approach, typically for free or sometimes for a small fee. This also helps the editor gauge what shape the book is in and what level of services you might need. Seeing how an editor works in action can actually be more valuable than asking about their training and background, because all the experience in the world doesn’t matter if their commenting style feels too abrasive or you disagree with almost all of their suggestions.
If a sample edit isn’t on the table, ask to set up a consultation so you can share some details about your project and find out more about the editor’s philosophy. This is an opportunity to see whether your personalities mesh well and your values align before diving into a creative collaboration.
What does your payment structure look like?
Professional editing is a significant investment for authors, and most editors are sensitive to that fact. If cost a concern for you, be sure to ask whether the candidate allows payments in installments or could create a package tailored to your budget. Since most editors run their own businesses, they have their own costs to cover and can’t always offer a discount. But if you can’t afford a full-blown developmental edit right now, perhaps they could offer a pared down manuscript evaluation or beta read at a more manageable price point. I’d also suggest finding out how they accept payment (PayPal, Honeybook, Stripe, etc.).
What can I expect to get back from you?
Editors package their services in all kinds of different ways, so it’s important to clarify what’s included in their offerings. Some professionals offer unlimited email or text communication while the edit is in progress, while others prefer to check in only if they have questions in the course of the edit. Some packages might include a Book Map, which breaks down the action of a book scene-by-scene, while other editors might prioritize a more in-depth editorial report or a follow-up call.
If a particular service or deliverable is important to you, make that clear up front so that the editor is aware of your expectations from the beginning. You’ll save time for both parties if you discover that the editor doesn’t accommodate a service that’s nonnegotiable for you.
What is your availability?
Many authors book editing services in advance, long before their manuscript is actually ready to go. This means that editors’ calendars can fill up quickly, so it’s better to start your search sooner rather than later. Ask what timeline would be feasible, and be aware that you may need to pay a deposit upfront to reserve your spot in an editor’s schedule. If you need an edit completed quickly on short notice, you can also expect to pay extra fees for the quick turnaround.
The process of finding an editor can seem daunting, but these questions should help you narrow down your selection and find a professional whose interests, skills and values align with your needs as an author. Don’t be afraid to reach out to multiple editors and shop around until you find the right fit.
If you’d like a recommendation, feel free to reach out with a few details about your project and I’ll take a look at my referral list. Or, if you’re an editor writing mysteries, thrillers, horror fiction or memoir, I’d love to see if we might make a good match. You can easily set up a free consultation on my website or get in touch for a free sample edit.
