What You Should Consider Before and While Hiring an Editor for a Book

Book editing is a nuanced craft, often claimed by many but mastered by few. It holds a paramount position in an author’s journey, second only to the allure of an eye-catching book cover. However, this crucial service is frequently undervalued and remains shrouded in mystery for many writers. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of hiring an editor for a book.

Book editing embodies a paradox—it’s both subjective and rule-bound. There are steadfast rules in writing governing grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Yet, writers are known to flout these rules to create unique literary scenes deliberately. The challenge lies in how to hire a book editor who can navigate this effectively.

Who are these skilled editors anyway?

An editor is someone who not only comprehends the rules of writing but can adeptly wield them. They have the finesse to refine your prose, correct errors, and sparkle your writing. Their prowess lies in recognizing when to adhere to conventions and when to grant your voice the reverence it deserves.

One cardinal rule of book editing is preserving an author’s voice. Your voice is your literary fingerprint, the unique essence that distinguishes your work. A proficient editor understands the sanctity of your voice and strives to maintain it. If integral to your narrative, colloquialisms, slang, and humour are sacrosanct. An editor’s art lies in preserving your voice while enhancing your writing.

Types Of Editing You Need to Explore When Hiring an Editor for Your Book

When hiring an editor for a book, it’s crucial to explore the various types of editing services to determine which aligns with your manuscript’s needs.

1. Developmental Editing:

If your book requires structural enhancements, such as reorganizing chapters, suggesting new subheadings, or reworking paragraphs for better comprehension, then developmental editing is your go-to choice. It focuses on the big picture, ensuring your book’s flow is seamless.

2. Copyediting:

If your writing needs a thorough language and grammar check, copyediting is the service you’re looking for. Copyeditors meticulously scrutinize every sentence, correcting errors and ensuring consistency and clarity.

3. Proofreading:

When your manuscript is nearly perfect but requires that final shine, proofreading is the answer. Proofreaders focus on minor errors, such as typos and formatting issues, giving your book that impeccable, professional look.

Your choice of editing type depends on your manuscript’s current state and your goals, ensuring the editing process meets your exact needs.

The Ideal Hiring of An Editor for The Book:

To navigate the labyrinth of book editing, authors must hire a book editor who is not only proficient in the rules but also adept at preserving an author’s voice. The ideal editor is a guardian of both conventions and creativity, ensuring that your manuscript shines while remaining authentically yours.

Understanding the delicate balance between rules and creativity and the profound impact of a skilled editor is the first step in the intricate journey of bringing your literary vision to life.

But before you hire an editor for a book, ask yourself two questions,

What Type of Author You Will Be While Your Manuscript Being Edited?

And What Type of Editing Are You Searching For?

Asking these two fundamental questions before hiring an editor for your book is essential to ensure a successful collaboration. Let’s delve into the nitty gritty of these questions:

1. Your Role as an Author During the Editing Process:

Authorial Approach: Consider your approach to the editing process. Are you open to collaboration and willing to embrace feedback, or do you have a specific vision for your work that you want to protect?

Openness to Change: Reflect on your level of attachment to your writing. Are you open to making substantial revisions and improvements, or do you prefer minimal changes to maintain your original creative expression?

2. Your Editing Needs and Preferences:

Editing Type: Be aware of what type of editing your manuscript requires. Is it developmental editing to refine the structure and content, copyediting to focus on language and grammar, or proofreading for final polish?

Objective vs. Subjective Editing: Differentiate between objective edits that correct factual errors and subjective improvements that enhance style and readability. Determine your openness to subjective editing suggestions.

Get clarity about these questions, you can align your expectations with the editing process, hire a book editor who is the perfect fit for your needs, and foster a productive author-editor partnership. This clarity helps both you and your editor work towards a common goal: transforming your manuscript into a polished and compelling book.

Key Considerations When Hiring an Editor for Your Book

1. Defining the Type of Editing and Your Flexibility:

When deciding to hire an editor, it’s crucial to determine the specific type of editing you’re expecting and how flexible you are regarding the editing process:

Before approaching an editor, clearly define the editing your manuscript requires. Different editing levels (developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading) serve distinct purposes.

Parallel to this, understanding your editing needs will help you communicate your expectations effectively.

Understanding your flexibility in embracing editing recommendations can streamline the collaboration with your editor.

2. Editor’s Approach and Style:

During your search for an editor, inquire about their editing approach and style. Different editors may have varying methodologies, from preserving the author’s voice to implementing a more prescriptive editing style.

Hire a book editor whose approach aligns with your expectations and complements your writing style.

The Golden Rule of Communication also Applies to The Editing Goals:

Effective communication is vital. Clearly communicate your editing goals and the level of intervention you expect from the editor.

Discuss your objectives and work with the editor to ensure you’re both on the same page regarding the editing process.

Trial Editing with Sample Pages:

To ensure a good fit between you and your editor, before hiring an editor for a book, consider a trial edit of a few hours with a sample of your writing:

A trial edit provides a hands-on experience of the editor’s work and allows you to evaluate their editing style and approach.

It helps you assess how well the editor understands your writing and how effectively he can improve it.

Choose a representative portion of your manuscript for the trial edit. It should include a mix of content, such as narrative, dialogue, description, and any specific writing challenges you want to address.

This selection should give the editor a clear picture of your work.

Once you receive the trial edit, assess the changes made and the editor’s feedback. Pay attention to whether the editing aligns with your vision for the book.

Consider the editor’s communication and responsiveness during this phase.

If you’re considering multiple editors, compare their trial edits to determine which one best meets your editing requirements and expectations.

Making an informed choice about who to engage for your project is made easier with the help of the trial edit.

3. Share Your Editing Preferences and Level of Attachment:

When working together, it’s crucial to express your level of involvement in your writing to an editor. This knowledge may make the editing process much more effective and guarantee a more efficient team effort. Below are some perspectives regarding this topic:

Make sure you and your editor have open channels of communication. Give an explanation of your goals and any special editing requirements you may have. This pertains to the kinds of adjustments you’re amenable to, as well as any locations you’d prefer to stay the same.

Be sure to inform the editor if you’re sensitive to alterations or only want fixes that fix glaring mistakes.

Providing the editor with information about your editing preferences is invaluable. It helps them tailor their approach to your specific needs and ensures that the editing process aligns with your goals.

Open and honest communication can prevent potential frustrations and misunderstandings down the line.

Distinguish between objective and subjective edits. Accurate edits focus on correcting factual errors, grammar, and punctuation, while personal amendments encompass more stylistic and creative changes.

If you’re open to improving your work, be prepared to accept subjective edits. Editors can elevate your writing to a whole new level by enhancing its flow, clarity, and overall impact.

Letting Go of Attachment| Let Loose a Bit:

It’s important to recognize that allowing an editor to change your work doesn’t mean your creative expression is under attack. Editors are here to enhance and refine your writing, not diminish your voice.

Successful authors understand the value of collaboration and are open to multiple rounds of editing. They view editing as an opportunity to elevate their work rather than threatening their artistic expression.

Consider your writing as an evolving entity. Each edit contributes to its growth and refinement. Embrace the idea that your book can become even better with each round of editing.

A willingness to adapt and improve your writing is a hallmark of successful authors consistently producing high-quality work.

Place trust in the editing process and in the expertise of your editor. They have the skills and experience to help your book reach its full potential.

By adopting a collaborative and open-minded strategy for editing, you can achieve an end product that speaks to readers and distinguishes out within the world of literature.

Think of your relationship with your editor as a partnership. Together, you work towards a common goal: producing the best possible book.

Embrace the mutual exchange of ideas and feedback, recognizing that the combined efforts of both author and editor can lead to outstanding results.

4. Figuring Out the Cost of Editing:

It’s crucial to find the right balance between quality editing and your budget constraints. Keep in mind that professional editing is an investment in the success of your book. Budgeting for an editor is an essential aspect of the hiring process.

Editing fees can range substantially, from hourly rates to charges depending on word count or project scope. The cost of editing can be perplexing. Some editors charge as low as £20 per hour, while others charge as much as £300 per hour. However, don’t be misled by low costs.

Sometimes, you’ll pay less for a lousy edit that needs fixing. On the other hand, spending a lot doesn’t mean your book will be a best-seller. It’s a good idea to ask a few editors for quotes and maybe pay a couple of them for a short test edit.

This way, you can judge their work rather than just their price. Think of it as spending money to learn what’s best for your book, not wasting it.