Most Important Things In Choosing A Book Editor

A ton of people have trouble trying to figure out how to choose the best editor for their projects. Some people go towards more “well-known” editors, but what happens when you decide that you want to go to someone else? Here are tips on choosing the best fit for yourself and your project.

Substantial and Verifiable Experience

Academic credentials help to prove that the editor has the skills for the job. Another way is to ask about their experience in general. A lot of editors keep previous work on hand to show their new clients what they can do and how they do it. Many editors have testimonials and lists of published work on their websites. If not, ask. Also, find someone with experience in the genre you’re writing, there’s no point in hiring a brilliant science fiction editor if you write romance.

No Inflated Claims

Any editor who promises or even implies that their editing will guarantee you being published, do not listen. No one can make that promise to anyone, and even if they could, there are many aspects other than editing that may not allow your book to become published. No reputable editor would make that promise to you anyway. The only thing that can be said is that your book will be better than it was and that you may learn something about writing you did not know before. Try to get a sample edit to see if their skills are up to the standard they are talking about.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Look for an editor who jumps into your ideas and what you are trying to do with your work, do not let them impose their own ideas right off the back. Editors need to be frank to be effective, but they should not take over your project. You should feel like you learned something new and become motivated, not discouraged. Part of respect is also being honest. Sometimes criticism can hurt, but if it is too gentle with your feelings in mind, you are not getting your money’s worth.

Decide What Sort of Editing Help You Need

Editing types range all the way from content/developmental edits, which will generally show you where your story is strong and where it is weak. On the other end of the scale, is proofreading, which only picks up obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. Between, you can get various forms of line and copyediting. Most editors will tell you what services they offer and the different prices they charge for each service. Some will offer a mix of styles.

Know Your Budget

Know how much you will spend on an editor. Some prices are steep, and some are cheaper. Editing is important, but it does not sell books. The cover story and story are far more effective at this. Be careful, and do not pay too much for something that you feel should be less. Do your research and look at pricing and make comparisons on what the value of each service is, quality-wise.

Timeframe

Know what your timeframe is. When searching for an editor, sometimes it gets hectic. Sometimes when you find one last minute and need a quick turnaround, most of the time, you will pay extra because of the average rate of deep editing being 3-5 pages per hour. It all depends on what you’re looking for. You want to make sure that whoever you choose, that they are good on deadlines.