8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Editor

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Image by qimono via Pixabay

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.”
  3. 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.
  4. 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?
  5. 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.
  6. 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?
  7. 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.
  8. 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.