You’ve probably dedicated countless hours to conceptualising and crafting your manuscript. The last thing you want is for grammatical and stylistic problems to ruin potential opportunities. After all, your book only gets one chance to make a positive impression on publishers and readers. Family and friends may offer encouraging feedback, yet they are rarely objective. This is where working with an editor can make a crucial difference. If you’re considering working with an editor for the first time, choosing the right professional may be challenging. Bearing in mind the unique needs of each project, the following tips may help you with the decision.
Do proper research
Like with most purchases, proper research is a crucial step in finding the right product. Making use of professional editing services is no different. Ensure that a potential editor has relevant qualifications and experience. These could be degrees from relevant disciplines, accredited certifications and professional experience. You can also review testimonials and the types of projects they have worked on. Whenever I get a new inquiry about a potential project, I offer to share my CV, credentials and a sample of my work. With online services, verifying credentials is the first step toward a professional relationship.
Understand the different types of editing
The importance of proper research intertwines with the second tip. Ensure that you understand the different types of editing and their scope. A simple online search will show you how proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing differ. If you are unsure, consider requesting an editor’s recommendation based on a work sample. I offer a free sample edit for new authors to assess the document and make a suitable recommendation. This step also shows the client what to expect from a particular type of editing. Both the author and editor get a sense of whether they would work well together.
Don’t focus on price only
Once you understand the different types of editing, you would need to set a budget for your project. The word count and the type of editing normally determine the cost. The rate will likely be commensurate with the editor’s qualifications and experience. My tip for this aspect is simple: just be realistic. As with many other purchases in life, keep in mind that you tend to get what you pay for. If your only goal is to find the cheapest price possible, you will most likely get poor quality. I sometimes get approached by clients who have opted for the cheapest service they could find. Upon receiving their butchered manuscript back, they need another editor to fix everything. If you find yourself in this predicament, you can’t expect your new editor to stomach your previous decision by giving you a hefty discount. You can avoid this by researching the median rates for your specific country beforehand.
Here you can view an example of a commonly referred to pricing guideline, and you could expect to pay in this range if you plan to hire an editor internationally.
Insist on a service agreement
Once you agree on the details of the project, make sure to sign a service agreement before working with an editor. This should include the word count, the project dates, the type and scope of editing, and payment terms. Most editors will require you to secure a spot in their schedule through a deposit. You should also find out how the editor will make the changes. For proofreading and copy editing services, I usually provide two Word documents. One document has visible track changes, and one will have all the edits implemented. It’s also reasonable to agree on the frequency and extent of potential progress updates for longer projects. Read the agreement carefully and ask for clarification where necessary.
Prepare your document
Preparing your manuscript properly before working with an editor can increase the benefits you gain from the edits. Think of it this way: providing a chaotic document means that an editor will dedicate a lot of time to problems you could have fixed yourself. If you remove all obvious errors, an editor can focus on improving your work beyond what you could have done. This simple step can mean that you receive much better editing in the end. Clients can list their particular concerns when submitting their manuscript for developmental editing. Doing so enables the editor to offer more focused feedback on aspects with which the author struggles.
Be open to feedback and revisions
This is another level at which the compatibility of authors and editors plays a role. Receiving criticism on a project into which you have poured a lot of effort and time can be difficult. But do keep in mind that your editor wants to help you improve your manuscript. Feedback should be detailed, substantiated, and constructive. Ask for clarification on points you may not understand or know how to implement. Investing more time and effort in revisions can make all the difference in the end.