Every great book owes a significant part of its success to its editors. Consider a manuscript a piece of marble and an editor as a sculptor – they refine the manuscript to bring out the best in it and lead an author’s work to success.
If you are still with us, it means that you must be considering hiring an editor for your manuscript. While the importance of hiring an editor cannot be undermined, the challenge begins when it comes to choosing the right professional for your manuscript.
If you are not sure what makes an editor the best choice for our manuscript, here are some of the most important factors to consider.
Ask About Their Experience
Experience can be the most important factor when it comes to hiring the right professional for your manuscript. You need someone who has been working with the relevant genre for a satisfactory amount of time.
For example, authors considering hiring an editor for their science fiction manuscript must look for a professional with experience in working with authors from the same genre. They do not want to trust someone who does not have the understanding and hands-on experience in the genre.
Similarly, you must also consider the relevant experience of an editor before you hire them. This way, you can ensure that the editor you hire not only improves your work on the basis of their grammatical knowledge but also incorporates their genre awareness to bring out the best in your work.
Demand Samples
Another great way of determining whether a fiction editor is the right match for your needs or not is by asking them for samples of their work. Samples are a great way of judging the abilities and skills of an editor besides what they say about themselves.
Editing samples provided by an editor enable you to look into the editor’s skills and editing process. While reviewing these samples, you must pay special attention to an editor’s attention to detail and consistency throughout the process.
If you are comfortable and satisfied with their approach to improving your manuscript, consider trusting them with your work as well. They can improve your work by showcasing the same expertise as their samples.
Read the Reviews
Every editor you consider hiring to improve your manuscript will have great things to say about themselves. They will ensure you that they have reliable skills and unmatched professionalism. However, it is always a good idea to maintain skepticism.
Instead of believing every great thing an editor has to say about themselves, you can feel sure about hiring a professional editor only when you know what their previous clients have to say. You can read their reviews to make up your mind.
Reviews are an honest reflection of the clients regarding their experience. They can make or break an editor’s reputation. If an editor has several great reviews, you can trust them to provide you with quality services as well.
If possible, you must also ask an editor for references before hiring them. The references allow you to get in touch with the previous clients of an editor and ask them about the editor’s quality of service, reliability, and all other things that are important to you.
Inquire About Their Qualifications
Although formal education and qualifications are not a requirement for one to become a professional editor, they can be a signifier of an editor’s commitment to their field of work. That is why the best of the authors want to work with editors who have relevant qualifications.
From formal education to certifications, consider the editors’ additional efforts to improve their skills before making a decision. An editor who has spent their time and energy mastering their skills is likely to help you on the journey of improving your manuscript.
Request a Sample Edit
Every professional you work with on the journey to refine and publish your book must have some professional courtesy. Based on this courtesy, an editor you are considering hiring must be able to provide you with a sample edit.
Some editors charge for this service, while others may do it for free. In either case, asking for a sample edit holds great importance. It can help you see exactly what an editor has to offer for your manuscript and how they can help your book succeed.
Discuss the Fees
If you feel that an editor is the right match for your needs, the next important step is to ask them about the charges for their service. The fees charged by an editor can vary from one professional to another based on several factors, such as their experience, demand, and satisfaction rate.
You must discuss this aspect with the editor you are considering hiring as soon as possible to save time and narrow down your options. If you really feel connected with an editor but their services are not affordable, make sure to ask them for any room for negotiations.
If things work out in your favor, make sure that you establish the pricing structure during the contract phase to be signed by both parties. This way, you can avoid any unwanted surprises at the end of your professional journey and streamline your publishing journey.
Discuss the Deadlines
Another important factor you must discuss with your editor before hiring them is your deadlines. It is important for you to have someone by your side who understands the importance of deadlines and adheres to them.
If the editor you are considering hiring has a bad reputation in terms of deadlines, you must consider exploring other options. Of course, you cannot stretch your deadlines based on the availability and actions of your editors. Therefore, discussing this important aspect beforehand is the best idea to consider.
In order to ensure the timely completion of your work, make sure that you mention deadlines in the contract so that you can feel confident about your work being completed on time.
