How to Hire the Right Editor: A Comprehensive Guide for Authors

How to Hire the Right Editor: A Comprehensive Guide for Authors

Need to hire an editor but don’t know where to start? This elaborate guide takes authors through the paces of diagnosing your draft, choosing between developmental vs line editing, penning an effective brief, spotting red flags, and testing candidates with sample edits. Learn how to find an editor who preserves your voice and elevates your craft……...  

Bravo for your well-deserved achievement of completing an entire draft! Now, it’s time for the utterly transformative but less glamorous part – finding an editor who will see to it your book sings (not screams). Hiring a competent editor isn’t all about selecting the most colorful résumé; it entails matching expertise, temperament, and needs. 

To assist in identifying a credible and capable editor, understand developmental editing vs line editing, and craft a brief that gets great work back fast, here is an editor hiring guide that shoots straight from the hip; 

Step 1 – Know Exactly What You Need  

Before your search officially begins, conduct an honest diagnosis of your draft; 

• Big-picture issues? Weak character arcs, structure, pacing, plot holes – indicate you need developmental editing 
• Language-level polish? Consistency, clarity, sentence flow, syntax – calls for line editing, or for mechanics, copy editing 
• Both of the above? Set aside resources for a two-stage process: Developmental editing first, followed by line editing 

Quick fact: Developmental editing vs Line editing – developmental fixes the bones, while line editing dresses them in perfect-fitting fabric. 

Step 2 – Places to Seek an Editor 

• Referrals from fellow authors, like mentors and those you respect 
• Author communities and forums
• Reputable platforms and vetted services – UWLs Freelancer Network falls under this category and hosts editors we really trust 
• Sample pages listed on editors’ sites – always read the samples displayed 

Step 3 – The 5 Crucial Must-Ask Questions 

1. What genres do you edit – and some of the titles you have worked on?
2. Do you offer developmental editing, line editing, or both? (Request for a brief rundown of the process)
3. Can I see a short before/after sample – 500 to 1,000 words?
4. What’s your average turnaround time and typical revision rounds?
5. Do you provide a written editorial letter, or only inline comments? 

If a prospective editor attempts to dodge reference, pricing, and sample queries – run for the hills! 

Step 4 – Potential Red Flags to Spot

• Lack of samples or ‘client confidentiality’ excuses
• Vague deliverables with no specific rounds or timelines (“I’ll edit” or “I’ll work on it.”) 
• Asks for upfront payment without a milestone structure in place 
• Pushy guarantees, like “I’ll get you a bestseller,” – editing polishes and improves your craft – it doesn’t buy an audience

Step 5 – Creating a Brief that Delivers Results 

Use the following template as a sample brief; 

• Title/genre + word count: 
• Short hook (single sentence): 
• Manuscript stage: First draft/Revised draft/ Beta-edited 
• Top 3 main concerns: Examples; inconsistent POV, character motivation, pacing 
• Desired service: Developmental edit/ Line edit/Copyedit/Proofread
• Deadlines & Deliverables: Preferred turnaround time, number of revision rounds included 
• Budget range: Although optional, it helps you match the right editor 

Step 6 – Test with a Paid Sample Edit

Before committing fully, pay for a 1,000-2,000-word sample to test the waters. This approach should reveal sensitivity to voice, tone, and whether the editor’s suggestions land with you. 

Step 7 – Contracts, Rights, and Payment

Ensure scope, timelines, rounds, fees, and rights, are all in writing. As the author, you retain copyright, and milestone payments protect both parties. 

Good editing is an investment in confidence, craft, and clarity. In need of a vetted professional? Look no further; UWLs Freelance Network connects authors to developmental, line editors, proofreaders, and entrepreneurial editing services exclusively designed for indie authors. 

Submit a sample today for a mini-audit, and we’ll hook you up with the right editor.