If you found writing a brilliant manuscript challenging, be prepared because the struggles have only just begun. The next big hurdle is finding a talented editor for your manuscript. With numerous editors claiming to be the best in the field, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice, even for experienced authors.
While every editor you consider hiring will claim to be a master of their skills, it is essential to consider more than just positive reviews when making a decision.
If you are unsure how to find the best editor for your upcoming book, consider asking these questions to help you get closer to finding the right fit.
1. Inquire About Familiarity
Experience matters a lot when hiring someone who helps authors bring out the best in their work. While editors with more experience will surely charge more for their services, they can also give you peace of mind that your work is in safe hands.
As you seek the services of skilled freelance editors, make sure that you do not consider their years of experience only. You must also see how much time and energy they have dedicated to growing as an editor in the genre. If this information is not available on their website, you can always ask them.
2. Ask About the Genres
With more than 35 book genres, you cannot expect the editor you are considering hiring to be a master of editing every type of work. Different editors have varying skills. You must always inquire about the genres they are familiar with before hiring them.
The easiest way to get this question addressed is to head to the editor’s website and see the featured work. If you are not satisfied with the provided information, you can always reach out to the editor personally and share their preferred genres and expertise.
3. Learn About Hands-On Experience
Even if you are considering hiring an editor with a deep interest in your genre, one’s interest alone should not make them your first choice. Just because someone has a deep interest in a subject does not mean they are the best choice for your work.
In addition to an editor’s interest, they also need hands-on experience to be an ideal match for your needs. If the editor you are considering hiring does not have hands-on experience, it is always a good idea to consider hiring other professionals.
The best editors do not shy away from displaying their accomplishments on their website. These accomplishments can help you make your decision with full confidence. It can give you an idea of which genre they work with the most and how their experience can help you.
4. Read the Testimonials
Reading testimonials is one of the greatest ways to determine the reliability and expertise of an editor. After all, every editor you meet will have great things to say about themselves, but you cannot just take their word for it. Social proof is more important nowadays.
You can head to an editor’s website and easily see their testimonials. These testimonials provide insight into what authors appreciated the most about working with the editor and whether it would be a good match for you. In addition, you can also get in touch with ex-clients of the editors to get your specific concerns addressed.
5. Ask Your Gut
While you cannot rely solely on your gut feeling to make an important decision like hiring an editor, you must not disregard it entirely, either. You must feel something when you chat with a potential editor or visit their website. Do not invalidate that feeling.
If you get a good feeling going through an editor’s website, you can look into other reasons to hire them. However, you do not have to force yourself to make a decision if you are feeling uncertain about hiring an editor for your work.
6. Discuss the Turnaround Time
Is your deadline for the book submission around the corner, or do you have a few months to enhance your manuscript? You must find the answers to these questions before hiring the right editor for your book.
While professional book editors are great at managing work on short deadlines, you must always discuss this important aspect before hiring them. Any editor who is not comfortable with working with your project deadline will let you know so that you can pursue other options.
7. Query About the Rates
The editor you are considering hiring may charge on an hourly basis or for the whole project. You must query them about the charges for their services before you hire them. It is the best way for you to avoid miscommunication down the lane.
Even if the editor you are considering hiring offers their services based on hourly rates, make sure to ask for a quote or a price for their services. This way, you can be sure that the final price will fit in the budget you have dedicated to editing your manuscript.
Be cautious when an editor offers their services at surprisingly low rates; it could be a sign of a possible scam. It does not mean that you must only hire the services for an extremely high price. Instead, you must focus on finding a professional who offers the best services at competitive rates.
8. Discuss the Style Sheet
Every editor has a different editing style. Just because they have great reviews does not mean that their editing style matches yours. You must decide on a style guide before inquiring about an editor’s experience. Instead of hoping for the best while hiring an editor, you can also learn more about their editing style beforehand.
One of the best things you can do is to check their social media, for example, videos or testimonials, to gauge their style. If you do not see any videos, you can directly reach out to the editor to get your needs met. From there on, you can ask for a sample edit to see if it fits your needs.
