When authors post their projects in search of editors, most such posts don’t go further than “I need an editor.” Those posts ignore crucial information that editors need to determine whether they should submit proposals.
Why wouldn’t an editor submit a proposal? Because editors specialize.
Authors, especially those new to the industry, fret over divulging too much information. They’re afraid the editor might steal their ideas, their story premises. To address this particular worry, I reply that ideas are worthless. It’s development that gives them value. There’s a lot of information an author can reveal without worrying about an editor absconding with one’s hard work.
1. Fiction or nonfiction.
Some editors only edit nonfiction. Some only edit fiction. Some edit only certain categories or genres of fiction or nonfiction. Some don’t edit certain categories or genres.
I do not take on scholarly (i.e., academic) nonfiction or horror. If you want APA, AMA, or other specific style guide adherence to comply with the particulars of references, citations, and such, then I am not the editor for you. Also, I don’t editor horror because horror gives me nightmares.
2. Topic or genre.
Once again, some editors only edit certain topics or certain genres—or they may decline to edit certain topics or genres. (See my refusal to take on horror fiction.) Or, an editor may focus his or her attentions on a particular topic or genre aligning with that person’s interests or expertise. I know an editor who focuses on mysteries. That’s her specialty, and she knows it inside and out.
Me? I understand romance, fantasy, and westerns—the same genres in which I write.
3. Word count.
Document length pertains to how long editing takes. If an editor averages 1,500 words an hour, then a 10,000-word document won’t take nearly as much time as a 100,000-word document, regardless of how well or poorly written it is. Document length affects other key information regarding the project.
4. Type of editing.
Most editors specialize in “macro” editing or “micro” editing. Macro editing is developmental or structural editing. A developmental editor takes a bird’s eye view of the document and focuses on its arrangement and organization. The focus on structural elements encompasses the plot arc, character development, logic, pacing, and flow. It focuses on what is said, not how the author says it.
Micro editing takes a granular focus at the sentence level. Line and copy editors focus on how the author expresses the story with concerns ranging from word choice to punctuation. Sentence-focused editors refine expression and style, not structure.
Both types of editors catch inconsistencies and redundancies, but on different levels.
If an author requests developmental editing, then line and copy editors understand the manuscript isn’t ready for them yet.
5. Deadline for completion.
Many editors book projects weeks or even months in advance, filling their schedules. They may not be able to accommodate a fast turnaround unless the manuscript is short. (This is where document length also comes into play.) An author’s requirement for completion of editing may also indicate whether the author understands that editing a time-consuming effort involving a lot of detail and analysis.
One way for an author to “guesstimate” how long editing will take is to use an average of 1,500 words per hour. If the manuscript is 75,000 words, then editing it will take 50 hours. Editors also don’t work on a manuscript for eight hours straight. For many editors, four hours is generally the maximum before mental fatigue sets in. You want your editor to be mentally sharp, right? So, estimate four hours per day for a total estimated duration of 50 hours and you’ll get 12.5 days. Factor holidays and weekends into your calculation and expect editing that manuscript to take a minimum of two weeks, longer if the editor is obligated to spend time conducting research to verify facts.
6. Budget.
Money matters. Editing is professional work and commands appropriately calculated compensation. Editors in high demand charge more for their services. A demand for a fast turnaround incurs rush charges. Inexperienced editors new to the industry may charge less to entice clients and get paid while they learn on the job. An author’s budget often determines the quality of editing. A paltry budget gets responses from scammers and low-bid, low-skilled vendors who may do nothing more than run the manuscript through editing software—which is something an author can do on his or her own. Many editors won’t waste their time bidding on a project that doesn’t meet their revenue expectations.
That said, there is a way to estimate realistic fees for editing, so an author may understand and plan for the expense. The Editorial Freelancers Association (the-efa.org) offers a rates calculator that calculates fees based on the average fees charged by freelancers for specific services. Many editors align their fees with the EFA’s suggested guidelines. (I do, too.)
Should the estimated fee induce sticker shock in the author, an editor may make either of the following offers:
- A reduced level of service. For instance, an author who can’t or won’t pay for a full developmental edit may be willing to pay for a manuscript assessment or critique. The service won’t be as intensive or detailed, but it still provides good value for money. (I’m not a developmental editor, but I do offer manuscript critiques.)
- A payment plan. An editor may offer variations of a payment plan which spreads out the cost of editing over time, thus enabling the author’s manuscript to receive the full editing it deserves. I offer a payment plan that proceeds at the author’s discretion: I edit a certain quantity within a specific period to accommodate a budgeted amount. This may be something like X chapters per month or XX words per month until editing is completed.
The Hiring Process
When you’re ready to hire an editor for your manuscript, don’t hire the first person who responds. Consider those who submit proposals that address what you’re looking for and what you want done. Check out their qualifications, their client testimonials, and their project history. If experience in the topic or genre is important to you, then make sure to verify the editor has that experience. An editor without that specific subject matter expertise or intimate genre knowledge may be willing to reduce his or her rates to acquire that experience.
When you narrow the selection to a handful of likely candidates, request a sample edit. Many editors (especially developmental editors) charge for sample edits. This is a normal and accepted business practice, because editors don’t work for free. Many sentence-level editors will edit a sample of less than 1,000 words for free. A sample edit demonstrates the service the author may expect from that editor.
Evaluate each sample edit to determine whether it meets your needs. You may see that your manuscript needs more work than you thought it did, sending you to revise and rewrite before resuming your search for an editor. (Hint: To get the best value from your editor, be sure to rigorously self-edit your manuscript first.) You may discover that an editor’s sample edit meets what your manuscript needs, but the editor’s style doesn’t mesh well with your personality. If so, you have a decision to make: Can you make this business relationship work? Case in point: I once edited a manuscript, and the author hated what I did because she expected flattery and compliments, not candor or correction.
Once you have identified your top two or three choices for an editor, talk with that editor. Your gut feeling when interacting with the editor tells you a lot. Choose the editor who’s the best match for you, your manuscript, and your budget.
Your readers will thank you.