How to Find the Perfect Book Editor for You

Adding “for you” at the end of this blog title is entirely purposeful. Even if a book editor has many years of experience, many bestsellers and award-winning books in their portfolio, and absolutely ravishing reviews, it still doesn’t mean they are the right match for You, the author. Think of the relationship with your editor as a partnership. If you are successful, so is the editor. That’s why reputable editors’ only goal is to help you create the best version of your book.

Finding the right editorial match might seem overwhelming, but here are a few tips to help you throughout this process:

Portfolio and Experience

Yes, I know I said portfolio and experience don’t necessarily mean a person would be a good match for your specific editing needs, but hear me out (read me out?). Checking the editor’s portfolio should be your first step. How else would you form an image of this editor? Explore the genres they’ve edited before to find any common themes (they don’t need to have experience in the exact same genre, but more on this in a bit). Make sure to also check the reviews of the books they’ve edited.

Even if an editor doesn’t have experience editing or proofreading your specific genre, they might be a fan of it. This is a good sign: They would have a different type of experience — this of a reader. And isn’t the reader one of the most important elements of the self-publishing equation? 

Reviews and Previous Clients

Surely, what your peers have to say about the editor is vital. In fact, testimonials are a great way to get to know the editor better and see if they would be a good fit. Do the reviewers mention receiving polite, constructive criticism? Positive and encouraging attitude? Do they explain how the editor improved their books specifically? For example, one of my clients says the following about my work: “Right from the start, she made me feel like she genuinely cared about my writing, and she offered comments and suggestions that were both detailed and thoughtful. […] I couldn’t be happier with the fast, friendly service I received.”  If you pay attention to what the review says (as opposed to whether it’s positive or negative), you should be able to get an understanding of the editor’s personality and work style. And this knowledge will give you confidence when choosing with whom to work.

Get a Sample Edit

Some editors offer free sample edits, and others require a small fee, which is usually deducted from the final cost. Paying a fee to “test” an editor is more than worth it — it will save you a lot of money and time in the long term. Just imagine starting to work with a professional who is not a good match for you. It will take several weeks to realize that the work they provide is not what you are looking for. Both you and the editor wasted precious time and resources, and none of you will be content at the end of such an unfortunate partnership. 

The sample edit will demonstrate exactly what the editor will do with your entire book. You will know what to expect when you get your edited book — will there be comments about the tone of voice or the story’s pacing? Does the editor apply the Oxford comma? Do they keep your authentic writer’s voice and only suggest edits that improve and build upon the prose? Are they up to date with the latest grammar rules, and what style guide do they refer to? These are all questions you should have figured out before committing. 

Ask Anything

Don’t be afraid to ask your potential book editor or proofreader any questions. And most importantly, observe the way they react to the questions, not just the answer they give you. Let me tell you a little secret: We don’t know everything :D We don’t know every grammar rule and every comma placement. But good editors know where to find the information and how to present it to you in a clear way. Let me tell you another secret: If someone claims they know absolutely everything there is to know about writing, editing, or proofreading, they are lying to you. Think about your own occupation — whether it’s writing or something else — do you truly believe that you know absolutely everything there is to know about your job? If you say yes, then you’re either lying or plainly ignorant.

Personality

As I mentioned above, the editor’s personality greatly affects your overall experience. Make sure to choose an editor whom you like as a person. I often say that an open, constructive, and honest author-editor relationship is essential for creating the best version of your book. Feeling comfortable with your editor will allow you to unfold your creativity and write confidently. As with every partnership (romantic or business), you need to know you can rely on the other person and be free in your communication.

I hope this article helped you gain some perspective on how to find the best editor for your specific needs. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. I’ll be happy to answer anything within my expertise.