Whether you’re in the market for a developmental editor, a line editor, or a copyeditor, there’s no shortage of skilled freelance editors out there willing to edit your manuscript, each with their own set of qualifications, experiences, and editorial approach. While an abundance of editors is a good thing, finding just the right editor for your manuscript in a sea of enthusiastic candidates can easily turn into an overwhelming experience.
Apart from considering an editor’s availability and price point, here are other important factors to help you with this important decision.
Related: What Is Working With an Editor Like?
Their Background and Qualifications
Along with their price point and their availability, an editor’s background and qualifications are likely what you’ll consider first. Because pretty much anyone can hang up a shingle and say they’re an editor—and because many types of professional experience lead to publishing industry expertise and a command of grammar and storytelling—you can expect to see an incredibly wide range of background and experiences as you research potential candidates.
You’ll see traditional publishing veterans, including agents and published authors, who edit as a side gig. You’ll see mid-career full-time editors with a rapidly-growing portfolios. You’ll also see newer editors with English or writing-related degrees, specific editing-focused training, and/or some experience in the publishing industry, but with thinner portfolios—not because they haven’t worked with anyone yet, but because publishing is often a slow, slow process. After a manuscript leaves an editor’s desk, it often takes a writer a year or more to find a home for it.
It’s possible to find fantastic editors at every level of experience and length of time in the industry. But the most important thing to look for in an editor’s background is a publicly visible , sustained effort to refine their editorial skills and engage with the current world of writing and publishing, particularly within your genre (more on that soon). And, no matter where they’re at in their career, it’s also important to read reviews from past clients. If you’re unsure about whether an editor is qualified to take on your manuscript, ask the editor for a referral to one or two of their previous clients and talk to them about their editorial experience.
Their Familiarity with Your Genre
You don’t want to hire an editor who says they edit fiction only to find their core skill set is in academic or business editing. There are multiple ways an editor can demonstrate their familiarity with your genre. The easiest way, in many cases, is to look through their portfolio of their clients’ published work and see what they typically work on. However, keep in mind that newer editors might not have a fully developed portfolio to show off yet, even if they possess the skills and qualifications to competently edit your work. In addition, freelance editors tend to be a bit flexible; it’s not unheard of for an experienced editor to branch out into new genres mid-career.
Another way to gauge familiarity is to look at their educational and professional portfolio for credentials related to your genre; for example, membership in a particular writing society or certificates from courses on writing and editing focused on your genre.
Failing that, you can simply have a conversation with them to gauge their familiarity—ask if your genre is something they like to read or have read recently. Try to feel out how aware they are of your genre’s priorities, forms, constraints, and recent evolutions.
Their Enthusiasm for the Project
When you meet with an editor for a consultation (which I always recommend doing; many editors offer a short consultation for free), try to gauge their enthusiasm for your manuscript. Do they believe in your ideas and concepts? Do they seem sincere when they say they want to work with you? An editor who expresses a positive connection to your work will be more likely to bring their best selves to their work on your manuscript.
Their Ability to Amplify, Not Change, Your Vision
This is where sample edits are particularly important. Along with the consultation, many editors offer a free sample edit of a short segment of your manuscript—around 1000 words or so. Read through their notes, questions, and/or changes in the sample edit carefully, and decide if they are understanding, reflecting, and amplifying your vision. While it’s not uncommon for an editor to suggest or make big changes to your manuscript, their edits shouldn’t push you farther away from your goals or ask you to change your entire concept of what your story should be or how it should be told.
Their Ability to Find and Fix Your Weak Spots
As you look over the editing sample, consider the editor’s problem-finding-and-solving skills. An editor who will help your project grow and succeed in the right ways will spot issues—both issues you’re already aware of as well as ones you’ve never noticed before. What’s more, they should propose at least one (but often several) actionable ways to solve those problems.
Their Communication Skills and Style
While finding an editor who can commit to your vision and pinpoint your weak spots is important, it’s equally important to find an editor who communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing. This clear communication should start when they are describing their services; after talking with them about what they can offer you, there should be no question of what you’ll be paying for.
Further, when they point out issues in the sample edit, they should state their ideas clearly, thoroughly, and respectfully. You should also feel as if they really understand your work—that they understand your vision, your priorities, and your intended audience. If you’re confused about what their queries mean or if their comments either devalue your manuscript or seem completely off, chances are it’s not going to be a good fit.
Wrapping Up
Editing of any type is always an extremely subjective practice; every editor has their own way of thinking, their own issues they’re particularly attuned to, their own tastes and opinions, their own ways of problem-solving, their own spark of creativity. No two editors will edit a manuscript the same way, which is why it’s essential to find an editor you—and your book—really click with. So get several consultations and sample edits and don’t rush this crucial part of your writing journey.
Happy writing!
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