BlogUseful tips about editing, writing, and the publishing industry
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Here are 5 reasons to get a sample edit, from multiple potential editors, before you choose!  In the world of writing and publishing, finding the right editor for your manuscript is crucial. A sample edit is a portion of your manuscript that an editor will edit as they would the entire work. It serves as a preview of what to expect from the editor's approach, feedback, and communication style. In this blog post, I’ll delve into why it’s so important to get a sample edit, why it's essential for authors, and how it can help in making an informed decision when selecting an editor. 1. What Is a Sample Edit?Sample edits look different because every editor approaches editing slightly differently. Typically it’s done on a short sample (1,000-2,000-word excerpt of your manuscript) that an editor edits for free. Some editors will ask for a sample from the middle (because the first pages are often the most polished and are not representative of the level of editing the whole book needs). Some will ask for the entire manuscript, so they can dip into bits of the beginning, middle, and end, just to get a good idea of what’s needed and provide a solid, tailored proposal. Some editors may use the opportunity to run macros to alert them of keywords and types of content they may want to avoid (in which case they would likely refer the author to other editors in their network). Along with the sample edit, the editor will usually give the author a custom project proposal and quote. The sample edit allows us to gauge how long we think a full edit will take, and thus what sort of timeline is reasonable. 2. Making Sure You’re a Good FitThe primary purpose of a sample edit is to provide authors with a firsthand look at an editor's editing style, communication skills, and the level of feedback they offer. (It’s also important to note that some editors charge for a sample edit, which is not a red flag, just a different approach. Some may deduct the small cost off the total of a booked project.) Given the significant effort authors invest in their manuscripts, it’s crucial to ensure the editor understands and aligns with your expectations. Going over a sample edit allows you to gauge the editor's communication, their approach to editing, how much they intervene, and whether you find they respect your voice and vision—it’s all about getting a taste of the overall vibe before committing to a working relationship. And it’s okay if there’s not a good fit. Before doing a sample edit for you, a savvy editor will know when it makes sense to refer you to a better-fit colleague. Maybe it’s because they don’t specialize in your genre, or maybe you actually could use a developmental or structural edit and they don’t offer that service. Or maybe you thought you were looking for “just a proofread,” but you are expecting what’s typically included in a line edit, which is a whole different service and takes substantially longer (and thus costs more). Overall, don’t feel obliged to work with an editor just because you received a sample edit and proposal. You should feel no pressure to continue if you don’t feel well-aligned. It’s fine! Say thanks and continue your search. 3. Understanding the Types of EditingAnother great thing about getting a sample edit is that it ensures both writer and editor are on the same page regarding the specific editing services to be provided. Seeing a sample helps authors understand the differences between copyediting, line editing, and proofreading, ensuring that their expectations regarding the level of intervention are met. You get a clear picture of what the editor's proposed services mean and how they will be implemented. Read more: Types of Editing Explained |
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Hi! I'm Erika.
I help sci-fi and fantasy authors publish unputdownable series. I specialize in copyediting and proofreading, and also provide custom story databases to help you keep track of all your world-building details. |
How to connect with me:
- Join my waitlist (and be the first to hear about upcoming editing spots!)
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How to Find a Professional Book Editor
3/21/2023
Here are 5 tips to help you hire the best-fit editor for your project.
I’m about to hit send after working for a whole month on copyediting this manuscript. All the work I’ve done will be scrutinized, and there’s always a part of me that fears rejection. I hit send and wait...
This is the book editor’s side of the equation. My client has been waiting expectantly for a month to receive the feedback that will push their book forward towards their publication deadline. Will it resonate?
This is the book editor’s side of the equation. My client has been waiting expectantly for a month to receive the feedback that will push their book forward towards their publication deadline. Will it resonate?
Fifteen minutes later I get an email back from my client. “I read the editing report and it was so, so, so helpful. So many light bulbs went off in my head. I really learned a lot and appreciate the suggested readings. So far, I think the edits are marvelous and shore up my weaknesses. It’s also inspired me to write better already!”
Moments like these happen consistently when a writer fits well with an editor. That is, when there’s a good match. And many of my clients have been working with me for years, because they don’t have to keep going through the hassle of searching for an editor that lives up to their expectations.
That’s why it’s important to carefully select an editor. And to follow your gut when you interact with them. Ask questions and see how their sample edit feels.
Moments like these happen consistently when a writer fits well with an editor. That is, when there’s a good match. And many of my clients have been working with me for years, because they don’t have to keep going through the hassle of searching for an editor that lives up to their expectations.
That’s why it’s important to carefully select an editor. And to follow your gut when you interact with them. Ask questions and see how their sample edit feels.
1. Follow Your Gut to Hire a Professional Editor You Trust
You’ve probably spent the last couple of years on your book (or more!), and you know that your next step is to find a professional editor you trust, someone who really gets your vision and whose feedback will refine and polish your story. I bet you’ve spent so long drafting your novel, going through (seemingly endless?) revisions and intensive rounds of rewrites, that you’re eager to pass over your manuscript to that trusted editor.
And I get it! It’s no easy task to find an editor. The internet is awash in people claiming to be editors without much training or experience. It’s hard to know what you’ll get, and trust is at a premium. As it should be.
Finding a good book editor can be a daunting task, but it’s crucial for bringing your writing to the next level and publishing the best possible version of your book. That’s why I wrote this blog post: to help you find that right-fit editor.
But before I get into it, check out my overview of the three types of editing. It’s important you think about what kind of editor you actually need:
In an ideal world, you would work with a different editor at each stage, but that’s not always possible or even necessary. Every book is different.
Whether you’re a self-published or traditionally published author, having a good editor can make all the difference. Here are some places where you can find good book editors.
And I get it! It’s no easy task to find an editor. The internet is awash in people claiming to be editors without much training or experience. It’s hard to know what you’ll get, and trust is at a premium. As it should be.
Finding a good book editor can be a daunting task, but it’s crucial for bringing your writing to the next level and publishing the best possible version of your book. That’s why I wrote this blog post: to help you find that right-fit editor.
But before I get into it, check out my overview of the three types of editing. It’s important you think about what kind of editor you actually need:
- a book coach
- a developmental editor
- a line or copyeditor (these are often combined)
- or a proofreader
In an ideal world, you would work with a different editor at each stage, but that’s not always possible or even necessary. Every book is different.
Whether you’re a self-published or traditionally published author, having a good editor can make all the difference. Here are some places where you can find good book editors.
2. Ask Other Writers in Your Genre to Recommend Good Book Editors
Direct referrals are gold because you can ask the writer about their experience. These sorts of testimonials will help you feel confident in the editor’s skills and how they work with authors. You can even preview the first chapter of their book on Amazon to see how it reads.
If you’re part of a formal writers association, like the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America or Horror Writers Association, ask around.
Here are some other established writers groups online:
If you’re part of a formal writers association, like the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America or Horror Writers Association, ask around.
Here are some other established writers groups online:
- 20BooksTo50K (Facebook group)
- Writers Helping Writers (Facebook group)
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors (Facebook group)
- r/Writing (Massive writing subreddit)
- Scribophile (writing community)
3. Search Online Directories of Editing Associations
There are several big editing associations you can check out. Most have online directories.
4. Attend Writing Conferences
Attending writing conferences and workshops can be a great way to network with other writers and meet editors. You can attend workshops/panels and participate in pitching sessions where you can showcase your work and get feedback from professionals. There are so many online conferences too, which makes it easier to connect with editors beyond your local area.
Here are a few to start with:
The Poets & Writers website has a database where you can search for US conferences.
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs also has a database for North American events.
Here are a few to start with:
- Women in Publishing Summit (online)
- SelfPub Con (hosted by ALLi) (online)
- World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”)
- ReaderCon
The Poets & Writers website has a database where you can search for US conferences.
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs also has a database for North American events.
5. Connect with Professional Editors on Social Media and Blogs
Using social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok among others can be a great way to connect with editors and other writers. Joining writing communities on these platforms and participating in online discussions can help you find potential editors. Don’t forget to search relevant hashtags and connect with editors (like #BookTok and #AuthorTok on TikTok). We love to connect with writers!
Editors are all over social media. Search for terms like “book editor,” “fiction editor,” and keywords that describe your genre. Look at their posts, click through to their website, and see if their blog posts resonate with you.
Editors are all over social media. Search for terms like “book editor,” “fiction editor,” and keywords that describe your genre. Look at their posts, click through to their website, and see if their blog posts resonate with you.
Other Considerations when Looking to Hire a Professional Book Editor
When searching for a book editor, it’s important to consider their experience, expertise, and style. You want to find someone who is knowledgeable in your genre and can provide feedback and suggestions that will help improve your writing. But in a way that’s diplomatic and constructive.
It’s also important to find someone who you are comfortable working with. And ideally, especially if you’re writing a series, it can be nice working with an editor long-term, knowing you have a trusted editor at the ready for your next books (just remember to get in touch well in advance!). You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed having to do everything yourself in publishing your book.
Finding a good book editor is crucial for the success of your writing. So if you’re looking for a meticulous and conscientious copyeditor who loves getting into the details (but not getting lost in the weeds), I’d love to work with you.
It’s also important to find someone who you are comfortable working with. And ideally, especially if you’re writing a series, it can be nice working with an editor long-term, knowing you have a trusted editor at the ready for your next books (just remember to get in touch well in advance!). You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed having to do everything yourself in publishing your book.
Finding a good book editor is crucial for the success of your writing. So if you’re looking for a meticulous and conscientious copyeditor who loves getting into the details (but not getting lost in the weeds), I’d love to work with you.
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Hi! I'm Erika.
I help sci-fi and fantasy authors publish unputdownable series. I specialize in copyediting and proofreading, and also provide custom story databases to help you keep track of all your world-building details. How to connect with me:
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Big picture, details, and quality control. AKA developmental, copyediting, and proofreading. There is an order to them. ⬇️
Why you need an editor
It’s not just you! Everybody needs an editor. It’s just a function of the human mind that you will gloss over errors in your own writing. You see what you intended to write, not always what you did write. So don’t sweat the details – that’s what an editor is for.
Editors bring a fresh pair of eyes to your writing, seeing every word for the first time. Missing words or repeated words will pop right out (whereas this might be your 27th time re-reading your draft and you’re too familiar with it!).
Editors bring a fresh pair of eyes to your writing, seeing every word for the first time. Missing words or repeated words will pop right out (whereas this might be your 27th time re-reading your draft and you’re too familiar with it!).
Types of editing
Here are three basic types of editing that self-publishing writers should know about; knowing what kind of editing you need will help you find an editor that’s the right fit for your book.
Here are three basic types of editing that self-publishing writers should know about; knowing what kind of editing you need will help you find an editor that’s the right fit for your book.
1. Developmental Editing
The big picture phase (aka The Forest)
Often called developmental or structural editing, this is where an editor focuses on the structure, flow, and organization of the content. Does the order of your chapters make sense? Do they unfold in a rational and logical way? Are your transitions solid? Do your ideas flow in a way that will make sense to your reader? At this stage the goal is to set the content in its optimal order.
The big picture phase (aka The Forest)
Often called developmental or structural editing, this is where an editor focuses on the structure, flow, and organization of the content. Does the order of your chapters make sense? Do they unfold in a rational and logical way? Are your transitions solid? Do your ideas flow in a way that will make sense to your reader? At this stage the goal is to set the content in its optimal order.
2. Copyediting
The details phase (aka The Trees)
Often called copyediting (or line editing or stylistic editing), this is the phase where the editor gets into the nitty-gritty details, smoothing over problem areas in grammar, punctuation, and overall consistency. An editor will also consider things like biased language, use of jargon, plain language, and sentence variety.
Writers tend to associate editing with correcting overt typos, spelling, and punctuation errors — i.e., a manuscript with lots of red ink, or in this day and age, track changes. But there are other not-so-obvious errors that copyeditors are pros at spotting.
For example, copyeditors also ensure consistency in hyphenation, abbreviations, numbers, and capitalization, and they even fact-check place/character names and timeline considerations. This is on top of all the language and style preferences that copyeditors compile in a style sheet, where they keep track of all the rules and preferences applied across the document.
The copyeditor will also catch details like a character’s name spelled in multiple ways or the fact that the main character’s eyes are suddenly blue in chapter 6. Consistency across all these different dimensions is what keeps your reader glued to your narrative: a book riddled with errors, even minor consistency errors, can jar the reader out of the flow of the narrative. When this happens, they go from reading the story to reading the words — stuck at the surface of the page. Copyediting is the magic that keeps your reader happily immersed in your story.
The details phase (aka The Trees)
Often called copyediting (or line editing or stylistic editing), this is the phase where the editor gets into the nitty-gritty details, smoothing over problem areas in grammar, punctuation, and overall consistency. An editor will also consider things like biased language, use of jargon, plain language, and sentence variety.
Writers tend to associate editing with correcting overt typos, spelling, and punctuation errors — i.e., a manuscript with lots of red ink, or in this day and age, track changes. But there are other not-so-obvious errors that copyeditors are pros at spotting.
For example, copyeditors also ensure consistency in hyphenation, abbreviations, numbers, and capitalization, and they even fact-check place/character names and timeline considerations. This is on top of all the language and style preferences that copyeditors compile in a style sheet, where they keep track of all the rules and preferences applied across the document.
The copyeditor will also catch details like a character’s name spelled in multiple ways or the fact that the main character’s eyes are suddenly blue in chapter 6. Consistency across all these different dimensions is what keeps your reader glued to your narrative: a book riddled with errors, even minor consistency errors, can jar the reader out of the flow of the narrative. When this happens, they go from reading the story to reading the words — stuck at the surface of the page. Copyediting is the magic that keeps your reader happily immersed in your story.
3. Proofreading
Quality control phase (aka The Final Pass)
This is the proofreading phase. Although a lot of people conflate copyediting and proofreading, proofreading is technically the final phase of the editing process. Once the manuscript has been copyedited and formatted, the proofreader makes sure everything is as polished as possible, catching any remaining typos and formatting errors/inconsistencies (like table of contents numbering that doesn’t point to where it should or inaccurate cross-references, leading you down a rabbit hole). Essentially, the proofreader works on the final copy to ensure maximum quality control.
In an ideal world, a different editor would work on each level of edit (structural, copyedit, proofread), but time and budget constraints often mean that one editor will do several or all of these. One thing is for sure though – finalizing the structure of the narrative happens before handing off your manuscript to a copyeditor or proofreader to polish the language.
Read more:
Quality control phase (aka The Final Pass)
This is the proofreading phase. Although a lot of people conflate copyediting and proofreading, proofreading is technically the final phase of the editing process. Once the manuscript has been copyedited and formatted, the proofreader makes sure everything is as polished as possible, catching any remaining typos and formatting errors/inconsistencies (like table of contents numbering that doesn’t point to where it should or inaccurate cross-references, leading you down a rabbit hole). Essentially, the proofreader works on the final copy to ensure maximum quality control.
In an ideal world, a different editor would work on each level of edit (structural, copyedit, proofread), but time and budget constraints often mean that one editor will do several or all of these. One thing is for sure though – finalizing the structure of the narrative happens before handing off your manuscript to a copyeditor or proofreader to polish the language.
Read more:
- Where to find a professional book editor
- Why you should get sample edits before you hire an editor
- How editors read for continuity (and why it matters!)
|
Hi! I'm Erika.
I help sci-fi and fantasy authors publish unputdownable series. I specialize in copyediting and proofreading, and also provide custom story databases to help you keep track of all your world-building details. How to connect with me:
|
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Hi, I'm Erika, a speculative fiction editor obsessed with the nitty-gritty of editing and self-publishing.
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