Steps To Hire a Professional Book Editor

Writing a book is an immense achievement for anyone, but writing a first draft is just the start. 

In order to turn a raw manuscript into a high-fidelity work of art that readers and publishers appreciate, you’ll need to edit the manuscript, probably many times. Writing can be fulfilling, and it generally is based on stories.

Stories become the primary vehicle to write about, and you want to bring out your vision in the writing, your values, and your own voice.

There’s a movement out there where communities are making efforts to engage undocumented youth in higher education to write with the encouragement of institutional agents, college and university students, scholars, and community advocacy partners. This brings variety to writing and learning for everyone.

But remember – no matter who you are or what you write, becoming a good editor is more than checking the spelling; you want to ensure all the visions, voice, and values you thought you were writing about come through. 

To ensure the highest quality, let’s examine the key steps to professional editing, the people, and steps you can take to help your manuscript blossom into the edited book you will be proud to publish.

Determine what kind of editing you want to do:

Not all editing is the same:

• If ‘holes’ abound in your story, or if an academic argument is thin, you need some developmental editing. 
• If your writing is solid but lacks flow, a line editor is the better choice. 

Knowing what is what helps in hiring the right person for the job. You won’t accidentally hire a proofreader instead of hiring a line editor for a structural overhaul, which will leave you disappointed.

Look for Niche Expertise

When looking for an editor for books, look for those who specialize. An editor whose specialty is sci-fi may not be appropriate for an intensely personal memoir or a technical project. 

Look for professionals with experience in your respective genre.

Review Portfolios and Testimonials

Any reputable book editor should have a list of titles that they have worked on, but they might need permission to showcase these pieces first.

Reading testimonials from other authors offers insight into what style the editor is working in, whether they are encouraging, collaborative, or clinical, and whether what they do seems a good match for you.

You could always request a sample edit as well. 

Most top professionals give you a ‘sample edit’ of 1,000 to 2,000 words (you pay a small fee or you get it free of charge). It enables you to glimpse straight ahead how the book editor engages with your text. 

Are their recommendations helping the prose? How do you like their ‘editorial voice’? 

If the sample edit seemed to strip you of your personality, then it is too harsh.

Make a Realistic Budget

Professional editing is an investment. 

The cost of a book editor comes in all shapes and sizes, depending on their experience and the depth of edit needed. Developmental editing is typically the most expensive, while proofreading is the cheapest. 

If the prices seem too good to be true, then definitely be cautious. 

If you expect high-quality editing, just keep in mind that you’re looking at possibly dozens of hours of focused mental work. It’s definitely not easy to do. And if someone offers to do the job for a ‘competitive’ price, then chances are they aren’t that good. Doesn’t have to be, but definitely ask about previous projects.

A professional editor should be able to set clear deadlines and milestones for you. A complete edit is usually a two-week to two-month project. 

Have a contract in writing indicating when you’ll get your edited files and how many revision rounds are included.

Communication is Key

You want a book editor who’s communicative and transparent. 

These things are part of creating a workspace in which the reader feels heard and encouraged because there are more places people can interact with and feel accepted. You’ll have several questions about their suggestions while the process is in progress. A great editor doesn’t merely change a sentence; they tell you why the change improves the power of the story.

It’ll certainly help a lot, particularly for students who want to improve their craft as they write for future projects.

Prepare Your Manuscript for Submission

A book editor’s job ends with a ‘clean’ manuscript ready to move on to the next phase of your future work life. If you’re applying for a scholarship, submitting to an academic journal, or pitching to a major publishing house, having a document with professional editing will give you a huge advantage in competition.

It reflects the sort of professionalism and commitment that is immediately noticed by gatekeepers.

Conclusion

The transition from the writer to the author is one of refinement. 

Choosing the appropriate professional to help you means that your words become clearer, stronger, and less technical so that they are not lost in technical mistakes when you use them to make sure that your message is communicated effectively, quickly, and without misunderstanding. 

To the scholars and advocates of our community, writing is one of the most powerful weapons. 

Putting that tool in the hands of a talented editor does nothing to indicate weakness but rather the desire for excellent writing. As you head into your document, know that any truly wonderful book you have ever read was not written by an inexperienced editorialist, but rather was the work of a hardworking and dedicated writer. 

Your narrative deserves the effort of being told perfectly.