If you’ve been following my blog or know me professionally, you know I am a full-time freelance editor-cum-writer since a good number of years now. I have been editing manuscripts as an independent editor and once in a while I come across authors wanting to hire services of an editor but without any clarity on how to select a right one. Recently, someone wanted me to send samples of my editing. Now this is not how you select an editor. A paragraph of edited copy can not and will not help you decide the correct editor for your manuscript. Reason?
Related: Reasons Why You Need A Professional Beta Reader For Your Manuscript
- Editing a manuscript is an all-round experience. Someone who is good with grammar can do an excellent job with that one para/page/chapter you want as a sample, but there is no guarantee that they’d be able to tie all loose ends, check plot continuity and character definitions, and basically be a second mother to your manuscript. How good is your grammatically correct manuscript if it has loopholes and weak characters? Not much.
- No editor worth their salt should be okay with sending fresh samples of editing. Think again, does the person not know how in-depth the process of editing actually is?
- Lastly, editing is more than writing. Getting ‘an idea’ is not enough. You will need to be more knowledgeable about the editor you are about to select.
Related: Five Reasons Why Every Freelance Writer Should Have A Blog
So what can you do? Easy.
- Ask for references. Speak to authors the editor has worked with and get their point of views. Your editor will be more than willing to divulge with one or two names. People who have paid for the services, will always tell you the truth. You can also buy one of those books and read to check, if you wish to be that stringent.
- Ask the editor for the link to their own blog. Mine is this, for example. I write blogposts for two reasons – to spread information like in this post, and to create a database of my writings. This is for prospective clients to see my writing skills. I aslo have links to published articles from my journalism days and from recent times, uploaded in this website for even more clarity on how I write. How I write would be directly proportional to how I will edit.
- Speak to your author friends. Make sure these authors are those who had hired an editor and their books were well-edited. The easiest thing to do is take reference from people you know and connect with an experience editor.
It really is very simple. Yet, extremely crucial.
Remember that good editing comes with a cost. A cheap service provider cannot be a good editor and if they are, they shouldn’t be selling their services for cheap. Every good thing comes with a price, so please be prepared.
If you have reached this post because you are looking to hire services of a writer or an editor, here is where you can know more about services I offer and a rough estimate of what it will cost you.
If you are looking for an excellent manuscript editor, someone to create content for your business, or an expert to help build your personal or professional brand on social media, then look no further and connect with me at editor@samarpita.in I can be followed on instagram at @samarpita and on twitterat @samarpitadotin.
Are you an author looking for a beta reader or a top editor to polish your manuscript? Look no further, and Hire The Best Editor For Your Manuscript!
Read my ebook WRITE. EDIT. PROMOTE. to learn the basics about becoming an author – from writing your own book, to editing your first draft, and to promoting your book yourself! You can also read my ebook How To Write A Story Effectively and learn some valuable lessons about how a story can go from average to extraordinary. This book is part 1 of the series.
In fiction, I have two short stories for children in an ebook called Bedtime Stories.
Some good tips here.
Nice post with good tips .
Having own blog is the best way to show your skills.
An insightful read! The tips are very helpful and will certainly guide someone looking to hire the services of a professional editor.
Really great pointers there…and I must say I am impressed by your blog. This is such a resourceful place!!
Good tips. Thank you for writing this informative post.
I hope someday I can complete my book which I wrote 2 years back for A to Z . I wanted to work more on it so haven’t self published yet but once I have something worthwhile to show, I will surely get in touch with you. I hope you edit non fiction as well.
Like the new logo and site revamp. All the best for Alexa. Yeah you are right, especially when so many authors are taking the self-publishing route that they should go for a good and professional editor. Sad thing people don’t want to invest in this aspect. Keep the good work going and more good work will follow.
#MyFriendAlexa #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
A very helpful and insightful post.
Very infomrtive and useful post indeed. I have noted the points
I completely agree with what you have shared in this post. Many don’t understand the role an editor plays behind the success of a book. Glad you have come up with this topic.
Thank you for these pointers Samarpita. They indeed will come handy while roping in a good editor.
Great tips. I am sure they are going to be useful for all the new writers out there. Many authors avoid professional editors and it shows.
Quick peek into the world of editors via the Queen bee herself what more can we ask for.
Good tips shared by you. Yes, asking for references does prove helpful in the choosing process
A good editor can be the crux for the success of any book and a bad for its downfall. Just a query….But how do newbies enter the field if most hire only though reference, Samarpita?
This is really helpful for everyone who is looking for an editor!! Thanks for sharing
These are helpful tips for budding authors like me. Getting references with well set authors is the key takeaway.
I agree, it is frustrating when people don’t understand writers and editors and have unreasonable requests. We must be aware of what an editor does before hiring.
You’ve shared sone amazing tips for selection of an editor. I’m glad i came across your blog
These are indeed some great tips. Hiring editor is a tough call indeed. These pointers will surely come handy when needed
As an author, I understand the need for a good editor. For quality work, one should be ready to shell out some money as well as get the basics clear. I really like the way you have put it across the meaning of having a good editor for the job.
Thank you for these great insights.I agree cheap is not the best.
Very useful and in fact the need of the hours for writers come new authors. 😊
Till now, I have done editing of my books on my own. I am very ROI oriented person. So until I don’t think that I will get the ROI of editor’s fees till then I will edit my books myself. These points I will keep in my while hiring an editor in future.
Editing is much required when we are doing something at professional basis. Indeed if one is going into the market need a good editor as it gives a neat look to your work
Truly said, writing must be supported by good editing. These tips are very useful to look out for good editors. #tmmreads
Great tip shared by you.
Thanks for sharing this Samarpita. These are good tips and also help authors and other writers who are looking to hire an editor.
I am a writer and editor myself and I have come across people wanting editing samples too.🤦♀️
Excellent tips. I’ve been wanting to get into editing. So this helps understand the other side of it too
Being new to an author’s world, i wasn’t aware of the significance of an editor. Thanks to this post now i am!!
Oh these are some good tips for employing an editor. Thanks for the tips.
Useful tips, gives an insight on how things work both ways. Your posts are always very helpful.
Quite an informative post, Samarpita.
The best part about having one’s own blog, preferably around the niche, whether it’s a writer or editor acts like a portfolio too for prospective clients to peruse around one’s style with words.