Editors Part I: What is an Editor and Why Hire One?

Preface: This article is targeting and speaking almost explicitly about those in the self-publishing business and the freelance editors they're going to work with. This is not the 101 on proofing or medical/legal technical writing.

Before sending their manuscripts out into the world, many writers choose to work with a freelance editor to make their writing tighter, more engaging and ultimately more salable. 

Whether you’re preparing to submit to literary agents or you’ve decided to self-publish, you don’t just want your book to be good—you want to make it great. 

—by Tanya Egan Gibson

Before hiring an editor, it is important to understand what an editor's job is and isn't. There are various different types of editing, and you should know them so you can better choose the type suited for your needs

Here is what the average editor's job is not:

• Making sure your novel is published (or even publishable!).
• Fixing all your errors. (Most will fix grammar, not poor writing)
• Writing the story for you. (These are ghost writers)
• Falling in love and getting married (either to you, or your story).

Well wait, Glitch...what's the point then? 

Editing is the process of strengthening good writing and pointing out the flaws in weaker writing so that it can be corrected.

I'm going to link to this guide rather than lift their section on types of editors. There are 4 main archetypes according to this guide, but the list is not exhaustive.

Think of this analogy. You are building a story arc (the bridge) in order to cross the "slush pool" (what the industry calls the pool of generally horrific writing that gets submitted to them) to get to publication.

This is what most think they're handing to a publisher or agent.

In reality, this is what you've given the agent or publisher.



This is where the editor comes in. To take this

And turn it back into this:

So how does an editor help you accomplish this?

Lots of writers new to the world of querying agents and hiring editors mistake ghost writing or proof editors/readers with the average general editing service. A proof reader or copy editor is someone who fixes the grammar (like really fixes it), but they are usually the last stop for a manuscript before publication, after it's already a sure thing. That's not to say other editors won't help out though. They'll do the heavy lifting, but it usually stops there. It's not up to them to make sure your font is italics'd correct or that you have your pages centered to the perfect margin specifications.

Think of the average editor as a consultant. In the bridge analogy, they are the construction guru/inspector who comes to your aid and points out just what the heck is going wrong. They do not usually start repairs themselves (maybe they'll make suggestions). They might make some smaller cuts and edits here and there, but the bulk lifting and rewriting is up to the author.

Don't fret. It's actually a lot of fun editing your work once you've got a grip on what needs to be done.

It might feel and look like a lot of work, and that's because it is. Would you really want an editor to write the story for you and do all the work? Probably not.

So why hire an editor at all? Why not just ask my mom what she thinks?

Your mom doesn't know what makes a story compelling. She also probably doesn't know most the grammar. Remember, an editor isn't there to make things perfect, but they are still going to make edits. Your mom might be able to tell you in binary whether she likes your story, maybe even why, but there is a whole bunch of other details she won't be able to notice, all of which will need to be addressed before publication. If you're serious about querying for publication or having success in the self-publication world, it's always a good idea to get someone with experience to tell you things like they are. Beta readers and developmental editors are great for this.

It takes a trained and critical eye to make a manuscript, short story, or any type of writing really shine. Most people know when something "feels" off, but being able to laser in takes years of practice. Your friends might not realize why they hate your character. The editor can tell you exactly why. Your mom might not be able to tell you (or she'll refuse as to not hurt your feelings) why she got bored, but the editor can immediately say it's because the structure is "Telly" or your plot is lagging.

What if my editor makes a bunch of comments and suggestions I disagree with?

This IS going to happen. And that's okay. It's not an editor's job to try and fix stories for you for exactly this reason. They can advise where they think it could/should be better, but ultimately you are in charge (some contracts notwithstanding). An editor can only do their best to remain objective and open to your voice/style, which is why it is so important to choose the right editor. You don't want to just haphazardly pick the first result on Google, or find a desperate clown on Twitter or Reddit (foot meet bullet).

Myself for example (since I'm already shooting myself in the foot): I'm bad at romance and have a distaste for "whimsical" fantasy. I'm happy to work with just about any author who values my input, but I am absolutely certain they can get better feedback for the same rates from someone more experienced in their genre. It's the dystopian, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, cyber-punk, and vampire manuscripts I enjoy working with most.

Overall, it's really up to the individual to ask questions before picking the right editor and editing style.


Part II: Types of Editors


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