Three Things to Think About When Hiring an Editor
Hiring an editor for your book is an investment on so many levels. It’s an investment of your time, your money, your energy, and your creativity.
Too often, I see clients come into the editorial process looking for their editor to validate them, to tell them that their book is good. But really, when you’re hiring an editor, you’re hiring a creative collaborator. Their job is not to tell you your book is good, but to help you take your manuscript to the next level.
I’ve worked with hundreds of clients over the past ten years as a freelance editor. Here’s what you need to be thinking about as you begin the process of hiring an editor for your manuscript.
What kind of work does my manuscript need?
There are different levels of editing you can request when you’re working with an editor, and it’s a good idea to understand what your manuscript needs before you start talking to potential editors. If you’ve already gone through several rounds of revision, maybe you just need proofreading. But if you’re looking to work out big picture issues with plotting, character development, and pacing, developmental editing may be the best fit for you.
Here are the three levels of editing that I (and most editors) offer:
Developmental Editing – helps you work out larger structural and storytelling issues within your book. Considers things like plotting, character development, pacing, structure, and more.
Copy Editing (aka Line Editing) – refines issues of voice, tone, and style. If you’re worried about the flow of your draft and the strength of your writing, copy editing might be for you.
Proofreading – cleans up mechanical and grammatical issues. This is usually the final stage of editing for a manuscript.
Of course, all of these different types of editing can be used in combination with one another depending on your needs.
Does my editor understand my vision?
An editor can only be an effective creative partner to you if they understand your vision for your book. For instance, if you’re working with an editor who thinks your YA Romance would be better as Contemporary Adult Fiction, they might not be the best fit for your project.
Simply put: an editor who wants to change the essential elements of your project – elements that make your project uniquely yours – might not be the best collaborator. You want to work with someone whose vision is aligned with yours so you can reach that best possible draft of your book.
How much support do I need in the revision process?
Every editor is different and so is every writer. Some writers need to have their editor on call so that they can work closely with that person as they attend to the different parts of the manuscript that need fixed. Others like a more hands-off approach when it comes to editorial oversight.
If this is your first time revising a project, take a few minutes to think about your expectations of the editor you want to hire. Understanding your own expectations will help you clearly communicate what you need to potential candidates. If you want to be able to text your editor at a moment’s notice to get a question answered fast, it’s good to know that so you can make sure the person you’re hiring can provide you with the right amount of support throughout the revision process.
I could write an entire book about finding the right fit for you when it comes to an editor. But hopefully this little blog has helped empower you to get out there and find the ideal editor for your manuscript. Let me know in the comments what you look for in an editor!
Right now, my books are open to take on a few manuscripts at any editorial level, so feel free to message me or fill out this form to get started.
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