In a post on Writer Unboxed, Barry Knister offers tips for choosing the right editor for your work. “I have become a strong advocate for writers submitting their work to professional editors,” he says. “It costs money, but in my view it’s money well spent.”
Knister’s tips include:
- Check the editor’s own writing. Don’t trust your writing to someone whose website or marketing materials aren’t professionally written. If your prospective editor has published fiction, even better.
- Ask for a sample edit. “Editors usually offer to do a sample edit of a few pages to show possible clients how they work,” Knister says. “I would reject any editor who didn’t offer such a test sample.”
- Tap the spine. Has your prospective editor written a how-to book on writing fiction? Check it out and see how you vibe. Is the writing top quality? If not, give them a pass.
- Pay special attention to the choice of words editors use. Consider an editor’s writing the same way you would fiction. If you wouldn’t buy a novel that relies on clichés and buzzwords, why would you hire an editor that does?
- Be sure you’re clear on the differences between copy editing, line editing, and developmental editing. If you don’t know, find out before you hire one.
- Understand the beginning, middle and end of your agreement. Read any proposed contract thoroughly and determine what’s included. Does the editor offer a follow-up conversation once edits are received? Is there a charge?
- Gather opinions from others who worked with the editor. Always ask for references. An editor who does not want to provide references is waving a big red flag. Inquire about the quality of the editor’s review and the specificity of their comments.
- Remember that you are the final arbiter. Regardless of references and your research, trust your gut. If you don’t vibe with an editor after your first meeting, keep looking.
