Some authors, particularly new authors, are confused about whether they need editing and how to go about finding an editor. They wonder:

Do I need an editor?

How do I find a good editor?

What type of editing does my manuscript need?

How much is all this going to cost me?

These are all good questions. Knowing the answers will help you establish a positive relationship with your editor.

Need for an Editor

If you are pursuing traditional publishing, you will need a literary agent. Few publishing houses take direct submissions anymore. Furthermore, you likely won’t know if a literary agent offers editorial support or wants a ready-to-sell manuscript. What you can count on is the agent has an inbox full of queries and only minutes to give your query attention. If you send a letter or manuscript pages with errors, poor wording, or inconsistencies, your query may go no further. A professional editor can help you determine what type of editing you need, if any.

If you want to independently publish (also known as self-publishing), you definitely need professional editing. Even if your grammar and punctuation is above average, after revising the book multiple times, your eye will skim over typos, missing words, and inconsistent details; that’s just the nature of the human brain. You may not realize that you left a plot point hanging or didn’t get your idea across as clearly as you believe.  Regardless of the publisher, readers expect a professionally produced book in exchange for their money, and rightfully so.

Finding a Good Editor

The publishing industry has yet to develop standard professional credentials for editors. Therefore, you will need your own list of criteria. When searching for a well-qualified editor, look for:

— Specific education in editing, such as a professional certificate from a university program

— Years of experience

— Testimonials from past clients

— Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style and style sheets

— Professional memberships (such as Editorial Freelancers Association and ACES: The Society for Editing)

You will also want to find out if they work in your genre. They need to be familiar with audience expectations.

And you might want to get a sense of their philosophy or approach to working with authors. Hire someone who fits with your personality and writing goals. Read the editor’s About page for an introduction to who they are as a person and an editor.

Types of Editing

Since the publishing industry does not have universal definitions for levels of editing the following are general descriptions that most editors would agree with.

Manuscript Evaluation

Offers feedback on a manuscript through a detailed, lengthy editorial letter. Addresses many of the topics as the developmental editing but without any comments or edits within the manuscript.

Developmental Editing

Sometimes referred to as substantive editing, addresses high-level issues such as:

— Narrative structure and flow

— Fully developed, clear concepts

— Clarity of terminology

— Consistent tone

— Missing content

— Unnecessary content

— Clear understanding of the audience

— Writer crutches or ticks

Fiction developmental editing also focuses on:

— Fully developed, clear plotlines

— Consistent point of view

— Character development and consistency

— Tension/pacing

— Alignment with genre expectations

Line Editing

Tackles the manuscript at the paragraph and sentence level, looking at:

— Sentence structure

— Phrasing and word flow

— Wordiness or redundancy

— Original wording (versus clichés)

— Passive voice (unless intentional)

— Transitions

— Readability

Sometimes, developmental and line editing are done at the same time. And some copyeditors incorporate aspects of line editing.

Copyediting

Focuses on the mechanics:

— Punctuation, spelling, and capitalization errors

— Typos and incorrect word usage

— Verb tense

— Consistency in names and details

— Light fact checking, if needed

— Consistency in formatting

— Wording in need of greater clarity

— Formatting citations and bibliographies

— Adherence to Chicago Manual of Style (the publishing industry’s style guidelines)

Proofreading

Offers the final opportunity to make corrections before publication, fixing only egregious errors such as:

— Spelling and capitalization errors

— Typos

— Problems with typesetting and page layout

How much is all this going to cost me?

A good editor understands that you have a budget and will be transparent about their fees.

 When determining their fee for your manuscript, an editor will consider several factors, which may include:

— Type of editing

— Amount of editing needed (heavy or light touch)

— Word count (or number of pages*)

— Time allowed for the edit

— Citations, glossary and/or bibliography

— Amount of fact checking needed

— Complexity of content/subject matter

In the simplest terms, you are paying for the editor’s time and expertise. The more time required and the more complex the content, the higher the cost. Be sure you are clear on the editor’s fee upfront, even if just a price range, so that you won’t have any surprises when the invoice comes. Before starting work, most editors will ask you to sign an editorial agreement that outlines fee, payment options, and timeline for the work. Additionally, many editors require a deposit (typically 50 percent) to hold a spot in their work schedule.

If you want to learn how an editor’s fee compares to other editors, check out the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate survey. Keep in mind that the survey was conducted in 2020, so editorial rates will likely be higher to adjust for cost-of-living increases. Additionally, the survey results reflect the median price range of survey responders, so half the editors charged more than the median and half less than the median.

You may have figured out by now the more polished your manuscript is, the less you will have to pay an editor. Tips for reducing editing expenses:

— Ask other writers or friends to read part or all of your manuscript. Their (free) input can highlight issues and errors you didn’t see.

— Take a basic grammar class and apply what you learn to your manuscript.

— Make use of a grammar reference book as you write and revise, such as Gregg Reference Manual.

— Read up about self-editing.

— Set your manuscript aside for two to three weeks, then with a fresh eye, go back through looking for any necessary changes.

*In the publishing industry, a page is 250 words. For example, 70,000 words is 280 pages.