Part I: What is an Editor and Why Hire One?
Part II: Types of Editors
PART III:
More important than just picking the right category of editor, is picking an editor that will suit your specific needs. This is about more than just picking someone who specializes in the correct genre. You need to make sure that the editor you choose is someone you can work with in the long run. Someone who's tone and diction you can stand. Someone who's edits you trust.
- Trust is everything.
Especially online, it is increasingly necessary to ask yourself some questions before settling on an editor. These questions aren't meant to imply anything, but can help to gauge your feelings towards editors.
- Does this editor look/sound professional?
- Where/how did you find them? Did they find you?
- How much time and effort does it look like this person put into their editing as a professional business practice?
- dos this editer use the correct grammer?
- Does this editor charge an affordable/standard amount? Or do they squirrel away their rates like a lawyer? Do they advertise as "Super cheap! Will take any work!"
- Are you willing to accept the risks of someone who ISN'T willing to provide a sample edit or provide previous proof of experience? (You really shouldn't be, especially with full manuscripts)
- Are they going to be able to make your deadlines?
- Are you willing to wait? Do they even have a wait?
Here are some questions you should ask an editor before any type of agreement or payment made.
All answers listed here are the WRONG answers to watch out for so you don't run into trouble!
Do you have any sample work?
No.
What do you specialize in?
A bit of everything really. (Note: Don't immediately discredit this answer--just be wary and ask more questions.)
How long have you been doing this?
{Insert anything under a year or so--it takes longer than 1 year to train for full manuscripts}
What is your methodology?
Anything that smells fishy should be cause for concern. If they're giving you the run around, or linking you to pages they didn't write, that's a huge red flag.
Subtle red flag: "Whatever you want to do I can do" (This sounds like a good answer, but a professional will make you conform to their standards, or provide options for you to chose from.)
What separates you from other editors (Why you)?
I'm a hard worker. (Or any other stock interview answer fully any editor can say)
What are your prices compared to other editors?
I'm really cheap!!
>Timeout/Note: You get what you pay for holds extremely true in the editing world. Most experienced editors know their worth and there is high demand for their services. Even middle of the pack or newer-on-the-scene editors are going to charge you based on their service and you should be prepared for this, if you're serious. Someone who puffs out their chest, taps it and proudly proclaims, "Well I'm cheaper!" often only has that going for them. It's where most every bona fide editor starts out.
All of that said, the cheap editor is not someone you want to work with if you're serious about publishing. If you're just trying to get a quick gauge on your writing, you might be able to get away with a cheapo editor, but be aware you could be hiring a high school student who just need Summer cash for weed and movies. (That's where I started!).
How many full manuscripts have you finished?
This is a touchy question, but only to newer editors. Experienced editors will spit you some number and give samples of which books have actually been published. The middle of the pack editor will give you a number, usually a lower one or tell you "Mostly I work with short stories" or something to that effect. The honest inexperienced editor will tell you they're working up to full manuscripts, but they're eager to try, or will give you a really low number (usually under 4--many burn out after about that).
That's not to discredit inexperience, just make sure you're aware of exactly who you're working with and if it's really what you want.
What is your turnaround time?
My what? (Anything other than a direct estimate or exact number in days/hours is a red flag) [For those who haven't heard this: It means how long until you get the manuscript/work back from your editor. It varies greatly between editors. Some offer "rushed" services.]
One of the biggest signs of an experienced editor is the inability to properly judge their turn around time. They might not even be able to estimate the time it takes to edit a full manuscript based on things like word-count, genre, your sample, their schedule.
They might grossly over estimate their own editing abilities and talk themselves into a corner whereby they cannot deliver promises they've made. They're usually nice people who mean well, they just get caught up or overly ambitious.
Just about every single editor out there hails from roots not dissimilar from this. Every editor has a horror story, and it's usually from "their early days". If you don't want to risk being their horror story, keep trucking!
How long will I have to wait before you can edit my manuscript/chapter/Billy Bob Thornton erotic fan-fic?
I'll start right now...after class...and when my mom lets me use the computer (Okay, I'm being unfair with this one--there really is no "wrong answer")
Do you read/write on your own? If yes, what genre?
No. (Don't touch an editor who doesn't read or write.)
There are many editors who don't write, and many who do. Don't discount an editor who isn't an author or writer. They are mutually exclusive, even if related.
Actually, I would say be wary of an editor who brags about their own publishing success as a selling point. Mentioning it passively or professionally when asked is certainly not bragging. Plastering their book all over their 'editor's service' page is quite another story. Don't be fooled.
Increasingly with the internet this might just be some nut-bag who self-published and hasn't edited a day in his life! (I've seen this popping up increasingly often with jerky self-published authors offering $50 dollar/hour coaching classes they have absolutely no business teaching--please please please stop paying these jerks!!)
How do you accept payment?
I don't know.
If an answer isn't to your sanctification, don't be afraid to pump the breaks. The last thing you want to do is pay good money for editing services that aren't really what you need!
If you're looking for more articles like this, check out the Writing & Editing section. If you're looking for an editor (or might be in the future) check out my services page here.
- Does this editor look/sound professional?
- Where/how did you find them? Did they find you?
- How much time and effort does it look like this person put into their editing as a professional business practice?
- dos this editer use the correct grammer?
- Does this editor charge an affordable/standard amount? Or do they squirrel away their rates like a lawyer? Do they advertise as "Super cheap! Will take any work!"
- Are you willing to accept the risks of someone who ISN'T willing to provide a sample edit or provide previous proof of experience? (You really shouldn't be, especially with full manuscripts)
- Are they going to be able to make your deadlines?
- Are you willing to wait? Do they even have a wait?
All answers listed here are the WRONG answers to watch out for so you don't run into trouble!
No.
What do you specialize in?
A bit of everything really. (Note: Don't immediately discredit this answer--just be wary and ask more questions.)
How long have you been doing this?
{Insert anything under a year or so--it takes longer than 1 year to train for full manuscripts}
What is your methodology?
Anything that smells fishy should be cause for concern. If they're giving you the run around, or linking you to pages they didn't write, that's a huge red flag.
Subtle red flag: "Whatever you want to do I can do" (This sounds like a good answer, but a professional will make you conform to their standards, or provide options for you to chose from.)
What separates you from other editors (Why you)?
I'm a hard worker. (Or any other stock interview answer fully any editor can say)
What are your prices compared to other editors?
I'm really cheap!!
>Timeout/Note: You get what you pay for holds extremely true in the editing world. Most experienced editors know their worth and there is high demand for their services. Even middle of the pack or newer-on-the-scene editors are going to charge you based on their service and you should be prepared for this, if you're serious. Someone who puffs out their chest, taps it and proudly proclaims, "Well I'm cheaper!" often only has that going for them. It's where most every bona fide editor starts out.
All of that said, the cheap editor is not someone you want to work with if you're serious about publishing. If you're just trying to get a quick gauge on your writing, you might be able to get away with a cheapo editor, but be aware you could be hiring a high school student who just need Summer cash for weed and movies. (That's where I started!).
How many full manuscripts have you finished?
This is a touchy question, but only to newer editors. Experienced editors will spit you some number and give samples of which books have actually been published. The middle of the pack editor will give you a number, usually a lower one or tell you "Mostly I work with short stories" or something to that effect. The honest inexperienced editor will tell you they're working up to full manuscripts, but they're eager to try, or will give you a really low number (usually under 4--many burn out after about that).
That's not to discredit inexperience, just make sure you're aware of exactly who you're working with and if it's really what you want.
What is your turnaround time?
My what? (Anything other than a direct estimate or exact number in days/hours is a red flag) [For those who haven't heard this: It means how long until you get the manuscript/work back from your editor. It varies greatly between editors. Some offer "rushed" services.]
One of the biggest signs of an experienced editor is the inability to properly judge their turn around time. They might not even be able to estimate the time it takes to edit a full manuscript based on things like word-count, genre, your sample, their schedule.
They might grossly over estimate their own editing abilities and talk themselves into a corner whereby they cannot deliver promises they've made. They're usually nice people who mean well, they just get caught up or overly ambitious.
Just about every single editor out there hails from roots not dissimilar from this. Every editor has a horror story, and it's usually from "their early days". If you don't want to risk being their horror story, keep trucking!
How long will I have to wait before you can edit my manuscript/chapter/Billy Bob Thornton erotic fan-fic?
I'll start right now...after class...and when my mom lets me use the computer (Okay, I'm being unfair with this one--there really is no "wrong answer")
Do you read/write on your own? If yes, what genre?
No. (Don't touch an editor who doesn't read or write.)
There are many editors who don't write, and many who do. Don't discount an editor who isn't an author or writer. They are mutually exclusive, even if related.
Actually, I would say be wary of an editor who brags about their own publishing success as a selling point. Mentioning it passively or professionally when asked is certainly not bragging. Plastering their book all over their 'editor's service' page is quite another story. Don't be fooled.
Increasingly with the internet this might just be some nut-bag who self-published and hasn't edited a day in his life! (I've seen this popping up increasingly often with jerky self-published authors offering $50 dollar/hour coaching classes they have absolutely no business teaching--please please please stop paying these jerks!!)
How do you accept payment?
I don't know.
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