What to Expect When Finding and Hiring an Editor

If you’ve been around our blog for long, you know how we feel about hiring an editor: it’s something you must do. And it’s something to prioritize when budgeting for your publishing journey. 

But where do you start? We’ve talked about some green and red flags when it comes to finding a publishing partner, but what about the practical elements of seeking out an editor? Let’s talk about it!

Where Can You Find an Editor?

The first hurdle is knowing where to look. Happily, there are a few ways you can do this. One way is to look at websites that act as collection points for professionals (places like Fiverr or Reedsy). Outlets like this allow authors to look at the profiles of professionals and reach out to them to see if they might be a good publishing match. These sites can be great, but it’s important to make note of any service fees you might incur, and evaluate the outlet’s vetting process for its professionals.

The sorting can be overwhelming. You might feel like you’ve got a tidal wave of editors coming your way. If that’s how you’re feeling, another method you can use is finding outlets like Self-Publishing Services. 

When you work with us, you tell us what services you need, and we’ll pair you with an editor who we think will be a good match. When working with a service like ours, you’ll want to be clear on what you are being charged for, and to ask any questions you might have about the editor they have matched you with. You have the right to know where your money is going and what professionals you’re partnering with, and if any service is cagey about answering those questions, that’s a red flag.

Should I Hire This Editor?

Once you’ve found the editor or company that you think you want to work with, where do you go next? In short, it’s time to do some due diligence. If you’re working directly with an editor, chances are they have a website with their portfolio, so you can see the previous books they’ve worked on and maybe even comments from previous customers. And most companies will also likely have something on their site to show the projects and individuals they’ve worked with, as well as customer reviews.

Of course, as with social media, an editor or publishing company is going to feature their professional highlight reel on their website. To get a good sense of the type of editor you’ll be working with, asking for a consultation call and a sample edit is key. That will let you understand how they work, if their vibe matches yours, and give you an overall preview of what your collaboration might look like. At Self-Publishing Services, we offer a free consultation and a free sample edit to help you decide if we’re the right publishing partner for you, and many other companies offer something similar. Individual editors might also do this, or in lieu of offering a sample edit, they might show you a previous edit to give you a sense of their editorial style.

Understand that things like consultations and sample edits are free labor, so each professional will have a different way of handling this to ensure their customers feel empowered and informed. As long as that company or editor is willing to discuss the process with you and offer some way to preview their editorial vibe, you’ll know they’re willing to work with you. It’s up to you to decide if their style and skills match with what you’re looking for in an editor.

Can You Trust This Editor?

Hiring an editor requires a bit of trust. Trust that the editor will deliver the services you two agree upon, and trust that the editor is indeed the right match for you and your book. One way you can feel more confident is by asking around. Many professionals will have customer reviews on their website, but don’t be afraid to explore what you find online. Most people tend to leave reviews only if their experience was amazing or horrendous, so look out for things like repeated criticisms or mentions of business practices you wouldn’t enjoy.

Another great way to check on a professional is to ask your community. Reach out to writers in your area and online to see if any partnered with that editor. Ask them what they liked, what they didn’t, and if they chose to work with them more than once, ask them why. If they went with another professional for future projects, ask them why they parted ways. Reading reviews online is always a great place to start, but if you can talk with a real person about their experience, you can see if your colleague’s experience with that editor was unique to them or if their experience is par for the course (for better or for worse).

Trust Your Gut!

Although it’s always key to do your research and make sure you’re making an informed decision, don’t ignore your instincts when picking someone to work with! If something feels off, if you’re feeling a bit too pressured, or if you aren’t clicking with the editor in the way you’d hoped, it might be time to look for another professional. You want to leaven your feelings with research and information gathering, but there is a bit of an intangible piece to finding a solid editorial partner. Sometimes an editor is great and the author is great, but they just don’t click. Researching a potential editor thoroughly and trusting your instincts is always a great combo for ensuring you find the best editorial partner.

If you’re ready to see what the Self-Publishing Services team has to offer, schedule your free consultation today! We’d love to chat with you and learn more about your book!