You’re finished. The End has been written, and you’ve tweaked to the point that if you look at it one more time you’ll curl up in the fetal position with your hands wrapped tightly around your knees and weep.
After you’ve given it your best, you decide the next thing you want to do is hire an editor. If you Google “freelance editor,” a million searches will overwhelm you, threatening to send you back to the fetal position. Finding someone to work with can be a scary task. There are many editors out there with different areas of expertise. You’ll want to ask different editors about their speciality in order to pick the right one to work with on your project. Be aware that the different editors often use different names for the type of work they do. I’ve included those in this post. Here are some questions to keep in mind during your search.
- What types of editing do you do? Like I said earlier, different editors have different areas of expertise. There are developmental editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders. Developmental editing (sometimes called content editing) is pretty extensive and comes before copyediting. This is when an editor will look over your work for the overall picture. They’ll analyze the characters, their motivations, the flow of the story, plot holes and inconsistencies, sometimes rewrite and restructure the work, and look for any other major big picture problems. A copyeditor (sometimes called a line editor) focuses more on grammar, style, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. and comes before proofreading. A proofreader is someone who looks for anything a copyeditor would miss. Their skills lie in looking over a piece that’s already pretty polished. They will look for grammar, punctuation, and misspelled words. All of these different types of editors are important, but make sure you choose the right kind for your project.
- Do you have references? Most experienced editors will have references. Ask to see them. You’ll want to look at what their previous clients said about them, and note their strong points. Ask yourself if they match what you want for your project.
- Do you edit my genre? Crucial question. You want someone who is familiar with the type of writing you do. Some editors work on multiple genres, and that’s fantastic. But someone who edits primarily adult romance may not be the right pick for your young adult fantasy, and someone who edits mostly children’s picture books may not be the right fit for your adult thriller. You get what I’m saying.
- Do you offer a sample? A lot of editors offer a sample, even if it’s a small one (and honestly, that’s still generous. It takes me an hour to perform developmental edits and hard copyedits on 4-5 pages). I am highly favorable of this. This gives you the chance to see what type of editing the editor sees for your manuscript, and it gives the editor a chance to preview your work to determine what type of editing they recommend. Both are important. Once you receive your sample, go over it. Is your writing stronger? Were they thorough?
- What can I expect from you? This is important for a variety of reasons. You’ll want to know what their communication style is like, what is offered with the editing package, how long it will take them, and how they go about giving updates on your work. Everyone has different communication styles. Some people prefer email, and others prefer Skype calls. Find out what your editor likes and decide if it fits with your style. The editing package will vary for every editor. Some will offer a consultation, others may not. Find out what is offered and decide if it’s best for you. It’s important to know how long it will take them because you’ll need to make sure the editor can meet your expectations or deadlines. I’m pretty confident that most editors are aware of how stressful the writing/editing process can be. Most are mindful of this and will give updates to make sure you’re comfortable with how things are going. Ask the editor when can you expect to hear from them. Will they contact you once a week? Will it be the same day every week? What will they provide in an update? Don’t expect them to take a ton of time to go over things they’ve done that week, that’s a waste of your money. Just ask them to check in, and maybe include where they are in the project. Figure out if this works for you.
- How much will it cost? This one is tricky, and it will definitely vary. Some editors will be more expensive than others. You have to decide what’s best for you. The most expensive editor may not be the right one for your particular project. The cheapest one may be what you need. Just make sure you’re not choosing someone strictly based on price. As long as you’re educated in your decision, you’re probably making the right choice.
Make sure you ask these questions, and you’ll probably think of more. Like I said, the best decision is an educated one. Have you worked with an editor before? What questions did you ask?
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Stacy S. Jensen
March 9, 2012 at 8:20 am
I’m loving this blog ladies. I wrote The End a few weeks ago, but haven’t done the revisions. I’ve wondered about this topic and have been noting when other writers have mentioned their editors. In the past, I tried critiques from online classes and even a group. So, I’m thinking once I type the end after revisions, I may use an editor for continuity and my sanity. Great questions to ask when I get to this point.
Courtney Koschel
March 9, 2012 at 8:51 am
So glad you found this useful, Stacy! I think you’ve definitely done all the right things. Critique partners, groups, and classes can help you with the overall developmental part of your work, but an editor will polish your work so it shines even more. I skim over my own work, we all do. Fresh eyes are so important to help catch mistakes our tired eyes miss. Thanks for stopping by
bwtaylor75
March 9, 2012 at 10:54 am
I just hired an editor but we haven’t started actual work yet. Can’t wait to see what happens. Couldn’t agree more with the editing sample. It’s a good way to gauge the talent of the editor and how comfortable you’ll be working together. Great advice for someone looking for an editor.
Courtney Koschel
March 9, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Good luck with your editor! They can be really helpful
Yes, the sample is a big part for both author and editor. Thanks for stopping by!
Kelly Hashway
March 9, 2012 at 11:08 am
As a freelance editor, I think you came up with a great list here, Courtney!
Courtney Koschel
March 13, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Glad you agree with the list, Kelly! Feel free to share more if you think of any!
Tonia Marie Houston
March 9, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I can’t get enough editing advice from you, Courtney! I love this checklist and know I will refer to after I’ve finished further revisions. I’m lucky enough to know a few editors and this list will help determine what is best for my project. ….You are at the top of my list, though.
Courtney Koschel
March 9, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Aw, you’re such a sweetie
I’ve been thinking a lot about these questions recently. I’m always happy to help you!
Catherine Stine
March 9, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Good thorough post! Yes, the price range on editorial work is all over the map. I ONLY go through personal leads.
Courtney Koschel
March 13, 2012 at 1:54 pm
I don’t blame you, Catherine. There are just way too many out there to know who is the right choice, and sometimes shopping around can be really stressful!
Vaughn Roycroft
March 10, 2012 at 6:47 am
These are really good questions. My editor comes from a background in romance and urban fantasy, and I write epic historical fantasy. There was a concern, and we discussed before we agreed to team up. It worked out great, because I’m a pantser, and my world and characters are very expansive, while she’s a plotter and very in tune with the mechanics of story structure. She really did a great job of helping me to identify plot points as story elements, to tighten the flow and pace, and to ramp up key moments. She’s also did a great job at forcing me to focus on each character’s motivation, which really helps during the revision process.
My point is, don’t be too concerned about having someone who only does your specific genre. Sometimes having a fresh perspective can help make your work shine.
Great article, Courtney!
Courtney Koschel
March 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Yay! I’m happy things are working out for you. This is a great example, and you’re absolutely right. A fresh set of eyes can make a huge difference. I think the tricky part can (not necessarily always) come in with language, voice, and style. Some things that are common in YA won’t be common for romance. Know what I mean?
Heather Reid
March 12, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for an awesome post, Courtney! I think knowing what type of editing an editor does is sooo important. Expectations are also crucial. Great tips.
Courtney Koschel
March 13, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Thank you, Heather! I’m glad you like the post