You're at the stage where you want to start looking for an editor, but how can you find someone who's right for you and your work?
Finding an editor who's the right fit can take some time and research, but if you want to make the most of your writing, it's worth putting in the effort. An editor who works well with you and your style will help you get your writing to the highest standard possible, while maintaining your unique voice as an author. It's more than just checking for errors and consistency, it about making your words shine so that readers will feel part of your world, and so that they'll want to visit it again and again.
There are lots of different ways and places to find an editor, but here are some general guidelines and tips that you can follow to help make sure you find the right fit for you.
1. Make sure you understand what you're asking for
There are many types and levels of editing, and, particularly when working internationally, what people mean by terms like 'copy-editing' and 'line editing' might differ. Try to have at least an idea of what the different kinds of editing are, and be open to suggestions about what kind of editing is needed.
2. Find someone who works, and ideally specialises, in your genre
There are a huge number of genres and subgenres that your book may fit into. If you've read books that you think are similar to your work, try to find out who edited them, and whether they work as freelancers or in-house editors. An editor who specialises in your genre will know the conventions that work and the pitfalls to avoid and will be able to help you tailor your writing to your readership.
3. Don't just go with the cheapest editor you can find
Yes, I know, finances can be tight. And for new authors particularly, the cost of editing can be a daunting prospect when you aren't sure you'll get a return. But still, the old adage of getting what you pay for applies here. There are sites like Fiverr and Upwork where the lowest bidder generally gets the work, but there's a better than average chance that you're getting low quality as well as low cost. That said, taking a chance on a newbie editor can mean you get fantastic work for lower rates. Plenty of new editors start out with lower rates while they build up their experience, but will still do the job to a high standard.
4. Look for references or testimonials, and if you can't see any, ask!
Like any other service or product, reviews are important. Many editors will have at least a couple of testimonials available on their website, but if not, ask! A legitimate editor will have no problem with you asking, and if they're a new editor, they may be willing to offer a reduced rate in exchange for a testimonial to help get their name out there.
5. Get some samples
A sample edit is a great way to see if the editor's style suits you, and is often used by the editor to help work out what the cost of a project will be. Some editors charge for a sample edit, some offer them for free. There's no right or wrong way, but if you think you've found an editor you might work well with, a sample is a great way to test the waters. It's generally worth getting samples from a few different editors if you can, ideally using the same section of your book, so that you can compare and see what you like best.
6. Make sure all the services, expectations and costs are clarified up front
Here in the UK, an email conversation is legally considered a contract, so provided all terms have been clearly stated, you can be confident that you have some legal backing should anything go wrong. That being said, if it hasn't been stated, there's an awful lot of wiggle room for interpretation, and if there is a problem, you might find you're in murky waters! Some costs can't be fully calculated up front, for example where developmental editing is being done and the cost is on an hourly basis. However, in cases like that, you can agree with an editor that they will work a certain number of hours for a stated cost and then review.
7. Check that there is a contingency plan in place
This is part of making sure all costs and expectations are clear, but if something does go wrong, you need to know what will happen. Particularly when working with self-employed freelancers, sometimes editors will have health or personal issues that will affect their work. You need to know what will happen if a deadline needs to be changed, or if the editor is unable to complete the work for any reason. It's in the interests of both the editor and the author to clarify this, but remember that the same applies in reverse; if you don't get your work to your editor on time, they may have other projects that can't be delayed, and you may find yourself out of pocket or your book on the backburner.
8. Make sure you can communicate well with each other
This is a big one, but like any other working relationship, miscommunication can cause a whole lot of problems. Make sure you understand one another well and that you can communicate in a way that suits you both. Personally, I prefer to communicate through email, not only because I sometimes work at strange hours of the day and night or with international clients in other time zones, but because everything is documented in case of any disputes. As with the contingency plan, clear documentation and a written record of your discussions with a time and date stamp is a legal security blanket for both you and the editor.
9. Look for reputable sites and organisations
Many (but not all) professional editors will be members of organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading here in the UK, or the Editorial Freelancers Association in the US. While memberships and qualifications aren't necessarily a measure of skill, they can give you confidence in the level of professionalism you can expect, since someone who has put the time, effort and money into getting qualifications likely wants to maintain a good reputation.
10. Last but not least, remember that just because someone is a fantastic editor, doesn't mean they're the right editor for you
The best regency romance editor in the world probably still isn't right for your Lovecraftian horror series. The editor who only does email communication isn't right if you want to have a two-hour zoom meeting to discuss your book. The editor who only works on fiction isn't right for your in-depth microbiology textbook. And so on. Editing isn't one-size-fits-all, and sometimes you might need a couple of tries to get it right.
These are just a few tips that can help you navigate the process of finding an editor to work with. For every author and every book out there, there will be an editor who desperately wants to help you make your work the best it can be.
Good luck with your writing, your editing, and finding the perfect editor for your book!
Comentarios