How to Find a Book Editor: 5 Steps to Hire the Right Editor
Contents
1. Determine the editing services needed
There are four types of editorial services: editorial assessment, developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading. With so many different editorial services, it can be hard for a new author to determine what kind of book edit—and what type of book editor—is needed. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear new authors ask, "Do I even need to hire a book editor?" The answer is yes. I am a professional children's book editor and I am an author of over a hundred published children's books. Even with all of that experience I still have a professional children's book editor review every book I write, whether it is for a children's book publisher or for my own publishing company, Charge Mommy Books. Why? Because an author is too close to a manuscript to find issues such as: plot holes, scenes that appear out of order, unnecessary story moments, lack of character emotion, and more. And as an author, it is too easy to get emotionally attached to phrasing that may not work, be needed, or be age appropriate.
Each type of book edit serves a different purpose in an author journey, and each editorial service comes at a different time in the children's book publishing process. Before hiring a children's book editor, get familiar with these book editing services to ensure you are hiring a book editor for the right kind of book edit at the right time.
Editorial Assessment
The editorial assessment is a high-level overview of a manuscript, and as such, it is the first step in editing a book. At its heart, an editorial assessment is an author’s opportunity to find problems with a book. These may be issues such as:
- Plot holes
- Scenes that appear out of order
- Unnecessary story moments
- Lack of character emotion (this is usually an issue of show versus tell)
- Point of view
- Whether there is a strong opening line
- Word count
- Age appropriateness
- Rhyme and meter
- Page count
Developmental Edit
The developmental edit is the moment when a children’s book editor starts finessing the text of a book, looking for issues such as:
- Clarity of language
- Sentence structure
- Character development
- Show versus tell
- Word choice
- Use of dialogue tags
- Word count per page
- Is text describing what can be seen in illustrations
- Story pacing
- Art notes
Copy Editing
Copy Editing is a second set of eyes that finds the things a book editor missed and makes sure there are no problems with the manuscript. This may include:
- Typos
- Grammar issues
- Story Inconsistencies
Proofreading
Proofreading occurs once a book has been designed and is almost ready to go to the printer. A proofreader compares a copy-edited manuscript to the designed pages to make sure no mistakes were introduced. They review designed pages for issues such as:
- Bad breaks
- Stacks of words
- Widows and orphans
- Art overlaying text
- Missing page numbers or headers
2. Set a realistic budget
The cost of a book edit varies based on a variety of factors, not the least of which are the editorial services you’re looking for and the experience of the children's book editor in question. The more experience a book editor has, the more they are likely to charge. But with that experience (hopefully) comes a better, more thorough book edit and final product.
- For a standard picture book (under 1,000 words), an editorial assessment and developmental edit can range anywhere from $90 to $700. For longer books, the Editorial Freelancer’s Association recommends -$.03/word for assessments and $.04/word for developmental editing, but this is just a recommendation. True price can be anywhere from $.02/word to $.07/word for each kind of editing. If you are looking for a children's book editor, please check out my rates and services.
- Copy editing rates typically sit around $25–$28/hour, with the assumption that a copy editor can get through 10-12 Word document pages per hour. (Though keep in mind that a copy editor will likely read a book twice, so however many pages you have, double that for a second read.)
- Proofreading rates typically sit around $18–$23/hour, with the assumption that a proofreader can get through 12-15 laid out pages per hour. (Again, keep in mind that a proofreader will likely read a book twice.)
Going into your book editor search, formulate a budget for editing. But try to keep an open mind. You might find a book editor you love who exceeds your budget, so know if your budget has wiggle room. Self-publishing a children's book will most likely cost thousands of dollars. A book that is poorly edited, no matter how nice the illustrations are, will end up with poor reviews. The point of a children's book is to entertain a child. They need more than just pretty pictures. They need a compelling story that will hold their attention, so think twice before making editing the place where you scrimp.
3. Find a book editor who specializes in your book genre
I cannot say this loudly enough. FIND A BOOK EDITOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN YOUR KIND OF BOOK! Every genre out there has specific requirements and conventions. A children's book editor is unlikely to have the skills and experience needed to edit historical fiction or romance. This is true from both an editing perspective and a marketing one. Romance readers (just for example) have certain expectations when it comes to the genre that a picture book editor likely wouldn’t know. And they won’t be familiar enough with the market to call out how a book fits into it (or doesn’t) and how to make a book it fit the market. Similarly, a book editor who specializes in adult fiction most likely will not have the experience and knowledge to edit a children's book.
Be aware that all book editors are not created equal, and some will have professional experience and some will not. Ask an potential editor where they have worked or if they have formal training in editing a children's book. Some editors may have editing certifications or experience at traditional publishers, while others are "self taught".
Where to find a book editor
Believe it or not, finding editors is the easy part. There are plenty of resources out there to help.
Some of the top places to look are:
Reedsy is a publishing-only service that vets its freelancers to make sure they have enough experience (usually in trade publishing, though occasionally an experienced and proven author will be accepted as an editor). Reedsy lists editors and allow you to choose which to interview.
Upwork : This is another good service to look for editors on. The catch here is that no one is vetting the freelancers’ experience, so read reviews carefully. Upwork allows you to find professionals or allows them to find your listing.
Editorial Freelancers’ Association: This NY-based group offers a range of freelancers to choose from, including editors, writers, indexers, proofreaders, researchers, desktop publishers, translators, and others who offer a broad range of skills and specialties.
Facebook: There are a lot of groups of Facebook that specialize in writing and publishing books. And a lot of the authors on there have editors they love. Ask around. People are very generous about sharing the names of their editors.
Kindlepreneur: Our friends at Kindlepreneur have compiled a list of great adult book editors by genre, including their rates. Go check it out if you are writing an adult novel.
Research book editors
Chances are good that you’re not writing your book in a bubble. Whether you’re part of a small writer’s group or a large online community, you probably aren’t the only person you know who’s writing a book. So ask your colleagues who they used. Ask around online for recommendations. Once you’ve found someone, look them up. Do they have a website? A profile on a platform that offers editorial services? Try to see if they seem legitimate. And read reviews! I mean really read them. What are people who are reviewing an editor saying about them? Do they say they totally rewrote the book? Do they say they helped you to keep your vision? Do they say they found all the problems you didn’t know you had? Reviews are a great way not just to find out if someone liked an editor, but to gain insight into how that editor works!
4. Get a sample edit
Once you find someone you like, ask for a sample edit. Some editors will offer it upfront, others only if asked. Some will charge for it, and others will do it for free. A sample edit may be the first 1,000 words of your book if it’s a novel, or it may be the first few paragraphs if it’s a picture book. Every editor is different and offers something different.
Sample edits are critical for three reasons:
- First, they give you a sense of how an editor will work on YOUR book. And this matters. You want to know before you spend your money if you click with someone. Do you like what they have to say in the first few paragraphs or pages of your book, or does it feel like they are totally missing the mark? Even the best editors won’t connect with every book, and that’s okay. If you and an editor aren’t meshing, it’s better to find that out before you pay them.
- Second, a sample edit also gives an editor a chance to see if they like your book. It’s not uncommon for an editor to turn down a book once they’ve read some portion of it, and if that happens, don’t feel bad. Not every book is for everyone, and you want someone working on your book who is going to be excited about it!
- Third, a sample edit on YOUR book is an excellent way to prove what the editor you’re considering is capable of doing. It’s easy to show a finished book or to show a sample on a book that’s not yours (in which you have no way of knowing where the book started), but by working on your book, you get to see how their skills work in relation to your story, and you get proof that it’s their work (because how else would they have your manuscript?)
For a detailed look at what every author should expect form a professional children's book editor, check out the article I wrote for Book Design Made Simple, The role of a children's book editor.
5. Get a contract
Once you’ve decided on your editor, sign a contract. Most freelancers should have a standard contract you can sign (and if not, ask around. Someone you know will have one.) Contracts should include details such as when the book is due to the editor, when it is due back to you, the amount of money to be paid (and when), and the details of the work to be done. A contract will also include language protecting you from the manuscript being stolen. (Standard contract language confirms that your book belongs to you and that the editor has no rights to it.) Check out my Sample Book Editor Contract to help you get started.
As you move forward with your editor search, keep in mind that anyone you work with should be a professional who makes you feel comfortable about sharing your work. If at any point you wonder if your work will be safe, listen to your gut and look for someone new.
Happy hunting, and good luck with your book!
