Here you will find advice and insights on a wide variety of topics from our members.
Finding and Working with a Freelance Editor
by Paul Dinas
A seasoned editor will get to the soul of your book and help shape it to best effect while respecting your creative vision.
Once you’ve decided that you might benefit from the help of a freelance editor, how do you find the right one? Personal recommendations from other writers are the best way. Googling is the next step. Be as specific as you can about the genre of your book in your search. It will help narrow your choices. First and foremost, remember that experience is key. When choosing a freelance editor, make sure they have been an acquisitions editor in a commercial mainstream publisher for at least several years. Ideally, they should have a strong familiarity with the genre or category of your book, and what the current trends and expectations of both agents, publishers, and readers are. Many organizations, such as the Independent Editors Group, include such veteran editors.
Once you’ve targeted possible editors, send them a brief description of your project and what your expectations might be. Any editor seeking to work with you should offer to read your work first and send you some preliminary, general comments in a timely manner. If you find the comments appropriate, it is always helpful to have a phone conversation or Zoom meeting before finalizing the deal. The author/editor relationship is personal, so you want to make sure you will get along.
Once you have chosen an editor, be sure that the terms of your agreement are clearly defined in writing. Such terms should include the scope of the work, fees, the projected editing schedule, and other items you feel need to be included in the deal, such as a review of the revised manuscript.
Gone are the days of the typewriter and red pencils. Most editors work digitally and will help you choose the best format for the editing process. All editorial work should be marked in the text so you can see exactly what the edits are. Be sure to check in with the editor at some point in the process. Not only will it give you a chance to see how the work is going, but it will also help to keep the project on track.
An editorial letter will usually accompany the edited manuscript. This letter will address both general and specific issues concerning the text, provide explanations of the rationale behind the editorial choices made, and offer suggestions for revisions. Be sure to read the letter before delving into the edited manuscript, as it will provide invaluable context and insights into the work.
Once you’ve had a chance to go through all the materials, feel free to contact the editor with any questions or comments you have.
The most important thing to remember when working with a freelance editor is that while they have the best interests of the book at heart, you, as the author, have the final approval of the work.
The author/editor relationship is a wonderfully inspiring and enriching one for all concerned and will benefit the book immensely.
Best of luck.