So you’re thinking about hiring a professional editor for your book? Congratulations! This month’s post is for you. Finding a good editor can be a daunting part of the self-publishing process, but it doesn’t need to keep your story from getting out into the world.
Hi, I’m Kaitlin, a freelance editor for indie romance authors. Today I’m sharing five valuable things to do before you hire an editor for your novel. Let’s dive right in!
In the traditional publishing sphere, a team of in-house editors will work on your manuscript to get it ready for publication. But when you self-publish, it’s up to you to hire your own independent editor.
But what kind of editing do you need? After all, there are multiple types!
This is where assessing your story is crucial! Be honest with yourself about where your manuscript is at and ask yourself where it could use the most improvement. This will tell you which type of editor will be the most helpful—because different types of editors focus on different things!
A developmental editor works on big-picture content such as plot or character arcs. A line editor focuses on stylistic editing at the sentence level. A copy editor will critique grammar and consistency. A proofreader comes last to catch the small errors that slip through the other stages.
For newer authors—especially those with a tight budget—it’s tempting to only get a proofread before sending your manuscript off to a literary agent or publisher with your fingers crossed.
Here’s the unpopular truth, though: Proofreading is NOT a replacement for an extensive copy or developmental edit that will help your story reach its true potential. (Want to know why? Learn more about the differences between copyediting and proofreading here.)
Okay, so you’ve assessed your story and figured out which type of editor to hire. The next step is to figure out your publishing timeline.
What’s your ideal publish date? Work backward from that date and see how much time this gives you for each stage of editing. Plan for each editing stage to take at least 4–8 weeks. This estimate also depends on how much time both you and your editor can devote to the project each week. Every writer and every book are different. Remember to schedule in time for marketing your novel as well!
The most important thing is to be flexible. Life happens, and you don’t want to set yourself up for unnecessary stress when things take a detour! The good news is, no matter where you are in the writing process or what snags come along, there is always something you can do to make the most of your time and prepare for the next phase.
With me so far? Great!
Maybe this goes without saying, but . . . research what you’re getting into before you get into it. You’ll want to get a sense of all the aspects of the editing and publishing process so you know what to expect.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are few items for your to-do list:
Familiarize yourself with the different types of editing.
Decide on your budget and research average editorial rates.
Start following potential book editors on social media and learn their style and skillset.
Look at market trends for your particular genre (how are similar books being marketed?).
Investigate other aspects of publishing like cover art, ISBNs, publishing on Kindle Unlimited or going wide, etc.
Whew . . . it’s a lot, I know! But here’s a friendly reminder: Publishing books isn’t a race. Maybe you start digging into the details and realize you can’t publish by your ideal date. That’s okay! It’s better to take the time to give your book the time and attention it deserves (and also—if we’re being honest—save your own sanity) by being realistic from the get-go about everything involved in the editing process.
Getting a sample edit is the best way to find the right editor for you. Think of it as a “trial run” where an editor revises a small portion of your manuscript (typically about 1,000 words, but it can vary), so you can see how they edit and whether you’re comfortable with their work.
Here are a few important things a sample edit will show you:
How the editor communicates throughout the process. Are they clear, professional, and responsive? Did they meet the agreed deadline?
How they handle your unique style and voice. Do they steamroll your manuscript and make it unrecognizable? Or do they make thoughtful improvements while respecting your style and voice as the author?
Once you’ve received sample edits from a few different editors, sit down and compare them. Did one editor miss several typos that the others caught? Maybe it’s best to steer clear. Did one editor provide thoughtful explanations with their edits? Green flag all the way. Comparing your experiences and results can help you gain a better picture of your options and find an editor you feel confident trusting with your story!
A few more things to keep in mind regarding sample edits:
Don’t send your first chapter! This is typically the most edited piece of your manuscript, and you want to send a less-polished segment so you can see a fuller range of your editor’s work.
Many editors offer sample edits for free, while others charge for this service. Neither is right or wrong; it just depends on their business style and preferences. I don’t charge for sample edits because that’s what works best for me and my business working primarily with newer indie authors.
Now for the really fun part: contracts! (Ugh, I know. Stick with me.)
As a professional writer, you need to know what an editorial contract should look like. Contracts protect you and your work, the editor, the professional relationship, and they demonstrate that your editor is a true professional. (If an editor doesn’t send you a contract during the hiring process, that’s a big red flag. Run!)
But! Not all contracts are equal. Here are four things every writer should look for in an editorial contract:
Deliverables: The contract should clearly outline the specific services (usually referred to as the “scope of work”). What type of editing service is being provided—a developmental edit, line edit, copy edit, and/or proofread? What are the due dates for each round of revisions? What items will you receive back from the editor (for example, an editorial letter, a marked-up manuscript, and/or a style sheet).
Pricing: The fees for the services should be clearly stated, as well as payment terms such as fee deadlines and any late charges.
The legal stuff: Be sure the contract contains a liability agreement and a confidentiality statement and outlines what happens if either party wants to cancel the agreement. (Since I’m not a lawyer, it’s best to seek actual legal advice to make sure this portion of the contract is sufficient to protect you as the author.)
An AI clause: The editorial contract should contain a clause stating the editor will NOT use generative AI to edit your book. While artificial intelligence is a great tool in certain contexts, it’s not an appropriate replacement for a real human using their experience and discretion to professionally edit your work. (Plus, you definitely don’t want your work fed into AI language models before it’s even reached the market!)
If your publishing to-do list just got a little longer, take a deep breath. A ton of work is already behind you—your manuscript is written! Now it’s time to prepare your story to meet the world. You’ve got this!
Trust me—following these five steps will make your editing experience much more enjoyable and less stressful.
And whenever you’re ready to hire an editor, I’d love to send you a free sample edit (see #4 above!). As a freelance editor, I’m always looking for amazing indie romance novels to give the love and attention they deserve. Send me a message and I’ll see you on the other side!
If you’re an author looking to hire an editor, here are some author red flags that editors look for—check them out to see what worries book editors when talking to potential clients.
Here are answers to all of my most frequently asked questions as a professional freelance book editor. Some of these book editor faqs might surprise you!
When should you use italics? When should you avoid using italics? When is italics a tool for an author and when does it detract from the story? Read this blog to find out!