Hiring an editor can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. Entrusting your manuscript—which you’ve probably spent months (if not years!) writing—to a stranger means putting yourself in a very vulnerable place, so it’s important to choose an editor who will be a good fit and who has the skills and knowledge to provide proper support for your manuscript. But there are thousands of editors out there, so how do you find the right one? If you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions:
- Look for editors who work in your genre
This is the first and easiest step that will help you narrow down the selection significantly. Many professional directories (like the Editorial Freelancers Association or ACES) or professional marketplaces (like Reedsy) allow you to search by genre.
Genre is important because an editor who specializes in romance may not be the best fit for your epic fantasy, and vice versa. They can be a great editor, but if they’re not familiar with the specifics of your genre, they might miss things or inadvertently give you bad advice. Ask about their experience with your genre and, ideally, the type of book you’re writing.
- Know what kind of editing you need
The next step is to filter by the type of editing. Developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading all serve different purposes. Make sure you understand what your manuscript needs and that your chosen editor offers this service. If you’re not sure what kind of editing you need, ask for a sample edit and see what the editor will recommend and why.
- Consider their rates
This is another criterion that should allow you to narrow down the search considerably. Editing can be a significant financial commitment, so the editor’s fee will likely play an important part in your decision process.
However, don’t compare services based on the price alone. Ask what the quoted rate covers, how many rounds of editing it includes, and how many rounds of follow-up it includes. Does the editor offer follow-up video calls to chat about their feedback? Are there any additional fees? A lower rate isn’t necessarily a better deal if you’re getting significantly less.
- Consider the deliverables
This is where the search becomes more granular, because every editor works a little differently. Ask what deliverables you will receive (e.g., line edits, style sheet, editorial letter, character sheet, timeline sheet, chapter-specific feedback, chapter summaries, etc.), how they provide feedback, and what communication looks like during the project. Knowing what to expect can prevent surprises later.
- Read the testimonials
Most service providers will only include glowing testimonials on their website, which makes sense. They’re running a business, after all. So testimonials probably won’t reveal any grisly secrets that will allow you to immediately strike an editor from the list, but they can still be useful. If you’re worried about preserving your voice, for example, and this is something several reviewers praised the editor for in their testimonial, that is a good indication that they could be a good fit for you. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask an editor about their experience. If they have worked with authors on books similar to yours, that’s also a good sign.
- Ask for a sample edit
The previous five steps should have allowed you to narrow down the search and create a short list of candidates. At this point, ask a few editors for a sample edit. This will help you get a feel for the editor’s approach and communication style. Pay attention not only to what they change, but how they explain their suggestions. You want feedback that helps you understand how to improve your manuscript—not an editor who simply rewrites it for you. If you ask several editors for a sample edit, that will allow you to compare their editing style and see whose approach resonates the most with you.
- Imagine working with this person
At this point in the process, you should have interacted with the editor (or several editors), so you should have a good sense of their communication style. Editing is collaborative, and you’ll probably be discussing some very personal creative decisions, so it’s important that you feel comfortable asking questions, disagreeing with suggestions, and talking openly about your goals for the book. Based on the communication so far, do you see yourself discussing the manuscript at length with your candidate?
Remember: You’re not just hiring an editor. You’re choosing a collaborator for your book. Take the time to find someone whose experience, process, and editing style feel like a good fit for you.
Save this list and come back to it when you’re ready to start looking for an editor!