True Imaginary Literary

Editing • Writing • Coaching

Turning ideas into reality

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Editor

Editing someone else’s work is a huge responsibility. Editors are often the first people that authors trust to even read their work other than close friends and family and on top of this need to not only break down all of the elements that are working and need attention, but also need to help the author to come up with solutions without inserting themselves too deeply into someone else’s work. It is a delicate art form unto itself. This is why writers should consider several things before deciding that an editor is right for them and their book.

1. What Type of Edits Does Your Manuscript Need?

Before you can start looking for the right editor for your project, you need to first decide what you are looking to get out of this process. Does your manuscript need a substantive or story edit, paying special attention to big picture issues like plot, conflict, structure, characters, descriptions, and style or do you need an editor that is going to get into the nitty-gritty task of copyediting and looking for issues in syntax, grammar and spelling errors or typos?

There are 4 different stages of editing that your book should go through before it is published:

Big Picture Edits: There is a very small percentage of people who can write a first draft with no major issues to the plot, characters, conflict, style, point of view, dialogue, pacing or overall structure. This first stage of editing is meant to help writers “problem solve” and create the best story possible. This phase of editing can be called Substantive, Structural, Developmental, Content or Comprehensive Editing.

Moment-to-Moment Edits: Frequently called Line or Stylistic Editing, this is where editors start working with the words and sentences written on the page and try to make them best represent your story and you as an author. Depending on the level of editing that you’re looking for, they might only adjust wording to improve consistency, flow, understanding and accuracy or could help you to amp up your language to better suit the market and your desired readers’ tastes.

Close Up Edits: Copyediting is the stage most people first when considering the job of editing. These editors make sure there are no typos, spelling or grammatical errors or issues involving syntax. They are also going to make sure your manuscript follows the stylistic guidelines of your publishing house, should you have one.

Proofreading: This is the last line of defence against errors before a manuscript is sent to the printers. Proofreaders are there to have one more keen set of eyes on your work before it enters the point of no return. They also help to format books when published with a publishing house.

If you would like more detailed descriptions of the four stages of editing, check out this post.

2. What Are You Writing?

Editors are as diverse in their skills, styles, and specialities as authors. You will find that while there are some who work with all kinds of different books and texts, there are others that concentrate on certain genres and writing styles. Before choosing an editor, make sure they have worked with manuscripts like yours before. While some will have a diverse background that has allowed them to work on everything from non-fiction, to literary works, to books for children, others might work within a smaller niche.

You also might want to consider their background or experience outside of their skill as an editor. For example, if you are writing a thriller with a high concentration of medical details in it, it might be best to find an editor who has some knowledge of the medical field. Or, if you’re interested in writing a piece that you hope will one day warrant an adaptation in film & television, you might look for an editor with knowledge of film writing conventions.

3. What Editing Style & List of Services Work for You?

There is not one way to properly edit a book, especially at the substantive and stylistic stages. Some editors are going to go deep into everything that needs to be fixed with your manuscript and will leave it completely up to you to work out solutions. Others will be more like a coach and fellow problem-solver, working with you to find the best answers for all of your questions.

The best way to assess an editor’s style is to simply converse with them about your project. Ask questions and see what you think of their answers. Do you feel like this is someone you trust?  While it is not always possible, some editors do present samples of their work. Others offer testimonials from past clients or will provide references upon request.

If you’re looking for a stylistic editor, it is wise to get a sample of the editor’s work before signing a contract to work with them for a complete manuscript. There is nothing worse than paying for someone to edit 70,000 words only to realize after the work is done that their work is not compatible with your writing.

The right editor should listen to your requests, needs, and feelings. Showing someone your writing is always going to involve some emotion – as it really is giving over a piece of yourself. You should wholeheartedly trust your work in your editor’s hands.

4. What Is Your Timeline?

Naturally, the best editors are also often going to be in the high demand. This means that if you have a deadline that you’re following – perhaps because you’re entering a contest with your book or you’re on a production schedule – this might limit the editors who are able to take on your project. It is not unheard of for editors to have a waiting list of several months when taking on new clients.

Make sure you are realistic in your expectations of how long your project should take. Editing a whole manuscript is likely to take at least a few weeks, even with an editor who currently has an open schedule. Know that with most editors, if you need to rush the job, this is going to cost you.

5. What Is Your Budget?

Once you have answered all of the above questions, the last thing that you need to decide is how much you’re able to spend on an editor. With this, you need to remember that it is true that you usually get what you pay for. There is a huge range of editors out there, with varying levels of skill, experience, and pricing. The best editors are commonly those that are doing this as a primary source of income, meaning they will need to charge enough to earn a living wage.

Newer editors will usually charge between $20-$30/hour. The most skilled and seasoned editors (those that work on prize-winning and best-selling novels) can charge well over $100/hour.  If you’re looking for a substantive edit of an entire manuscript – no matter what stage of the editing process you are at – the work is going to take at least 10-20+ hours to complete. Substantive edits with detailed line notes, stylistic, or copy edits can take 50+ hours. Assessing and editing a manuscript is as skilled a trade as fixing a car or the plumbing in your home and you should be prepared to pay fairly for the work being done.

If you’re on a strict budget that doesn’t allow for you to get a full edit, look into contests that offer a feedback component or into editor services that offer less than a full detailed critique. Be honest with potential editors about your budget and some might come back with a service that fits your finances and needs. For example, I offer a service that looks at your first few chapters and query submission package. This can give you some direction when it comes to structure, characters, and writing style based on this crucial first section of the work. This service is meant for those entering the querying process, but could also be useful to those in their early stages of rewriting and restructuring their story.

When you’re going through the process of choosing an editor, remember that this is an investment into your book’s future. If you want to turn a passion of writing into a career, that means thinking of your author life as a small business. Hiring the right editor will offer you more than just an assessment of your work. It will allow you another connection to the publishing world and a partner to help you navigate the creation of your story and getting it out into the hands of readers.