When you’re writing a book, you want to make sure that it’s engaging, compelling, and easy to read. However, sometimes, even the best writers can’t see what needs improvement in their work–that’s where editors come in.
Editors help you see the problems with your work so that you can fix them before sending it off for publication. Whether you’re self-publishing or have a publishing company lined up for your book, finding an editor is key to ensuring success.
This article will walk you through the steps of hiring an editor so you can publish the best book possible.
Identify the Editing Services You Need
Before you start looking for an editor, make sure you know exactly what type of editing you need. There are several types of editors, each specializing in a different area:
- Developmental editing—This type of editing focuses on the big picture and ensures that all book elements work together effectively, including the plot, characters, and structure. Developmental editors will also give feedback on improving your writing style and help you develop a unique voice.
- Line editing—Line editors focus on the finer details of your manuscript. They’ll check stylistic issues, such as word choice and sentence structure.
- Copy editing—A copy editor looks at how your book reads on a sentence-by-sentence level, ensuring there are no spelling or grammar mistakes and that the flow is smooth throughout. They won’t change any content but will make suggestions to improve clarity or flow.
- Proofreading—Proofreading is about checking for spelling or grammar mistakes that slipped through during the copy editing process.
Look for Editors With Work Experience and Referrals
It’s essential that your editor has edited books like yours before. If they haven’t, they may not understand the challenges that lie ahead.
Additionally, look for book editors who have been recommended by authors or other editors that you know and trust. This way, you can ensure they’ll do an excellent job with your manuscript. You can start by asking your connections in the industry and browsing Guru.
You also want to ask lots of questions when you interview potential editors, especially in regard to their experience with similar manuscripts, their rates and deadlines, and exactly what services they provide.
Review Editorial Sample Work
The best way to see if an editor is right for you is to look at their work samples–you want to see how they edit other work and what their style is like. Are there lots of notes or just a few? Do they leave comments at the top of the page or on the side? A good editor should also be able to explain why they made each change they suggested, which will help you judge their skill and perspective.
Consider the Fees
You may not think about the price when looking for an editor, but this is one of the main factors to consider when choosing one. How much a book editor costs can be determined by if they charge per page or at an hourly rate. Compare rates across different editors in the same niche to ensure you don’t overpay or underpay your editor.
Consider Working With a Freelancer
Writers are often on a budget, but you don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars to get quality editing services. Instead, you may be able to hire freelancers who can edit your book for less.
Furthermore, freelancers are often more flexible and available to edit your manuscript when you need them. You can also work with a freelancer from any corner of the world, meaning you don’t have to limit yourself to editors in your area.
Finally, there are plenty of secure and credible freelancing platforms you can use, such as Guru, to find an editor. Guru allows you to browse reviews and ratings of each freelancer to make sure you’re getting the best services for your money, and you won’t have to worry about getting scammed thanks to Escrow, which holds payments until you are satisfied with your editor’s work.
In Conclusion
You’ve already done the hard part by writing a book. By following the above advice, you can make sure you make it all worthwhile by finding the perfect editor on Guru to help bring your project to life.
