How to Find a Romance Editor You’ll LOVE

November 27, 2023

How to Find a Romance Editor

Okay, you’ve written your manuscript and you’re ready to send it off to an editor.

But…who?

And…how?

And…for what?

And…for how much?

No worries, authors. I’ve got your back. I’m Kaitlin, a fiction editor for indie authors, and I’m here to help. Keep reading to find out all about how to find a romance editor for your book!

Do I really need an editor?

Short answer? YES.

Longer answer? YES…because an editor will help you put out a high-quality product. Behind every good book is a good editor.

Editors are there to catch things your eyes will skip over. We help to point out plot holes or inconsistencies. We flag biased language so you don’t accidentally offend your readers. We polish your grammar and punctuation. We keep everything consistent in your story.

Finding a quality editor is worth it.

Still unsure about whether or not you need an editor? Check out my blog post Do You Need to Hire an Editor for Your Self-Published Book?

What are the four types of editing?

Many times when authors say they need “proofreading” what they really mean is that they need copyediting, line editing, or developmental editing. I bet you didn’t realize there were so many different types of editing! There are four types of editing, and when you are trying to figure out how to find a romance editor you first need to decide what type of editing you need.

I’ve broken them down below, but if you would like a more in-depth look at each, read my blog 4 Types of Editing for Indie Authors.

Developmental Editing

Think of developmental editing (sometimes called a structural edit) as a big-picture look at your story. This type of book editing comes first, and focuses on major elements of the content.

A developmental editor will look at your whole story and provide you with an editorial letter that outlines your story’s strengths and weaknesses.

This is the first stage of editing, and the focus here is on content, NOT grammar or mechanics.

Line Editing

This looks at your story at the sentence level, focusing on style and voice. Think of this as stylistic editing.

This is a thorough edit that focuses on stylistic choices. A line editor looks at the clarity, consistency, and effectiveness of the language and story. Style and flow are the heart of this stage of editing, so the content of your story should be mapped out and tight before you start this process.

Copyediting

Copyediting is all about the details. Its focus is on grammar, usage, and consistency.

You may be wondering if an online tool like Grammarly can handle your copyedits, and I’m here to beg you not to try to do this! Yes, an online grammar tool can flag certain issues, but it cannot be trusted to find every inconsistency in your story. An online tool is not an editing service.

Clarity and consistency are the name of the game here! This is where your editor will catch the small errors (that make a big impact).

Proofreading

Proofreading is the last thing you do before putting your book into the hands of readers. Think of it as quality control. Your proofreader is looking at proofs of your formatted book for any errors that exist.

Your editor may look for errors in spelling, formatting, or grammar.

What qualities should my romance editor have?

When you are trying to figure out how to find a romance editor, first think about the qualities that are important to you. I’ve listed some that I believe are essential—let me know if I’ve left something out!

Know the Genre

First and foremost, find someone who is familiar with your genre. If you are writing paranormal romance, look for an editor who loves reading and editing paranormal stories. If you’re writing historical fiction, don’t hire an editor who specializes in picture books!

There are certain conventions of the romance genre that just have to be present in your book. Your editor should know what those are, and should be able to let you know if your romance novel is missing any.

If you choose to work with a book editor who is unfamiliar with the romance world, you may not get an editing experience that helps you publish your best story.

Qualifications

Professional editors have professional qualifications.

Previously, I was a copywriter and a high school English teacher. I had a lot of experience with the written word, but those two professions did not qualify me to edit your novel.

Neither does being an avid reader or an expert grammarian. Editing is not just proofreading. Editing is an art. It takes time to learn to do it correctly, and it takes time to learn to do it with carefulness and flexibility.

All editors have to start somewhere, so not all editors are going to bring years of experience to the table, and that’s ok! It’s not ok, however, to hand over your novel to someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. Do not sign a contract with someone who does not have training in the field.

What are examples of professional qualifications?

Belonging to a professional organization, like the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) or ACES: The Society for Editing.
A certificate from a university (please note that there is no degree given for editing).
Many freelance editors (like me!) take courses from the EFA and attend webinars to increase their professional development. If you go to my About page you will see that I have my qualifications listed. I have taken numerous courses, and belong to two professional organizations (EFA and The Freelance Editors Club).

Sample Edit

Most editors will provide a free sample edit of your manuscript of around 1,000 words. This is definitely something I would encourage you to get!

This will give you some insight into how an editor words a query, makes changes, or offers an editorial assessment. The right person for you will give feedback that resonates and makes you feel supported.

Without a sample, how will you know if you have found the right editor for your story?

If you receive a sample edit from me, you will see kindness, carefulness, and close attention to CMOS standards. I do my best to preserve your authorial voice, and only change things if I deem it truly necessary for clarity or consistency.

Communication Style

Communication style and frequency is so important! If you want weekly updates, but your editor doesn’t provide those…you are going to feel anxious and unsettled while your manuscript is being edited.

When you are trying to figure out how to find a romance editor that will communicate with you in the way you want, be sure to ask your potential editor what they normally do. This way you won’t be surprised after you sign your contract!

Timeline

Many editors are booked out months in advance. Once you finish your first draft, start searching for an editor. This way you will be able to find an editor with openings in his/her/their schedule. You will also have time to complete your self-editing and incorporate feedback from your beta readers into the draft you send to your them.

Do you have a firm publishing date? Or a goal publishing date? If so, work backward and figure out how to find a romance editor who can provide an editorial service that fits within your publishing timeline.

A Vibe!

You are going to be working closely with whoever you hire, so find someone you like! Find someone you connect with! Your editing experience will benefit from a friendly relationship.

Where can I find a romance editor?

Every book needs an editor, and even though this blog is centered around how to find a romance editor, if you are working on a memoir, a scifi novel, or a piece of literary fiction, you should be able to use this blog to find an editor whose specialty is your genre.

Here are six places you can find an editor—for every genre:

1. Recommendations

The best way to find an editor is via recommendations. These recommendations can be from fellow author friends, testimonials on a website, or a message board. I even know of some authors who have looked at the acknowledgment page of some of their favorite books to see if the author listed their editor!

Pros: This editor has already been vouched for so you don’t necessarily need to be worried that they are a scammer. You have social proof that this person did a good job.

Cons: Just because someone has used an editor in the past doesn’t mean they are the right editor for YOU. Your critique partner may have really clicked with someone, but it may not feel right to you. That’s okay! Just because you get a referral doesn’t mean you have use it.

2. Social Media

Social media platforms are full of freelance editors trying to make connections with independent authors. You can join Facebook groups for writers or for your genre to make connections with editors. You can do a hashtag or keyword search on Instagram to find editors.

Pros: Connecting with someone on social media can give you good insight into who they are as a person and whether or not you would get along. You can usually scope an editor out before truly connecting with them by giving them a follow, reading their posts, or seeing how they interact with others on the platform.

Cons: There are a lot of scammers active on social media! You need to vet editors you meet on social media carefully. Also, because there are so many on social media, you may get overwhelmed with the amount of responses you receive if you post that you are looking for an editor.

3. Professional Organizations (EFA)

Because I am a member of the EFA, I am most familiar with how their system works. (I’m sure other professional organizations have something similar!)

The EFA is a professional organization that freelance editors can join with a membership fee. There are two ways you can find someone through the EFA. The best part about going through the EFA is that you are unlikely to find any scammers there. Most scammers will not want to pay the membership dues!

1. You can fill out the Job List Submission Form and your job request will be sent out via email to all members in good standing with the organization.

Pros: You just need to fill out the form and then sit back and wait for qualified candidates to send you an email about your manuscript. Easy peasy!

Cons: The jobs go out to a huge number of people. You may get a lot of responses, and it could take you a long time to sift through them all. While the EFA encourages people to only apply for jobs they are qualified for, some will pursue your job even if they do not have the experience you are requesting.

2. The Member Directory is a searchable database of all members in good standing. You can search via keywords or by checking boxes for skills, content areas, genre, materials, age, language, and software. When you search, all members who fit the requirements of your query will be listed. You will see names and a short description of each editors’ services. If you click on a name you will be taken to a profile with more information about who they are, how long they have been editing, and a link to their website.

Pros: You are in charge of contacting those who you think would be a good fit for your project. Your email inbox won’t be inundated with responses to a job offer. You have complete control over this process.

Cons: If your search terms are too general you will have too many people to properly vet. If your search terms are too specific you may miss seeing a someone who would be a great partner for you.

4. Upwork

I am an editor on Upwork and, even though it isn’t the main way I find clients, I do find work there. (There are other website similar to Upwork, like Fiverr or Reedsy that can help you connect with an editor, but since I do not have accounts there I cannot speak to them specifically.)

Pros: There are many talented editors on Upwork with availability!

Cons: There are many people claiming to be editors on Upwork who have no idea what they are doing. You need to vet someone VERY carefully if you are going to search here.

5. Google

Most reputable, qualified editors have websites. Search using long keyword phrases to get results tailored to your needs. Then, scan through the results and see if there are any editors listed that might work for your project.

Pros: If someone is showing up in search results they are most likely qualified and professional. You will be able to click through their website and get a good feel for who they are before contacting them.

Cons: If you don’t use specific enough keywords you may not get the results you want. It’s also tough to rank on the first page of Google! If you only stay on the first page you may only see very experienced editors who are likely charging more than you want to pay.

6. Right Here! Me! 🙂

I’m a professional editor who specializes in working with indie or self-published authors. Romance novels are my preferred genre and I work with all spice levels. Send me a message and let’s chat!

What will a romance editor cost me?

This is the big question on every author’s mind! How much will it cost?

Well, it depends. Someone with less experience will charge less than someone who has worked in the publishing industry for a long time. An editor with an editing certificate will charge more than someone without one.

Beware of prices much lower than the EFA’s rate chart, but don’t discount an editor just because his/her/their prices are low. Maybe they are just starting out and need experience. Maybe they live in a country where the American dollar goes further. Maybe this is a side-gig and they don’t need to charge as much as someone who is editing full-time.

There are many factors that determine what an editor charges. You need to decide for yourself what you are willing to pay and what you are willing to sacrifice to get an editor working on your book.

I will say that bargain-basement prices will rarely get you top-quality work. Usually, you get what you pay for.

Most editors work on a “price per word” model. If you’re still writing your draft, make an estimate of how many words you think it will be and try and determine your editing budget from that information.

If you are concerned with the cost of editing, think about hiring an editor for only one or two stages of editing rather than all four. Ask your potential editor if they offer payment plans.

Have you learned how to find a romance editor?

Want some more information on how to find a romance editor? Check out my blog post 11 Essential Questions to Ask An Editor Before Hiring Them.

I’m an editor from indie authors, and I would love to help you with your manuscript. Let’s chat!