How To Find The Right Editor For Your Book

Oct 24

Finding the right editor for your book isn’t just about getting someone who can pick out the typos (even if that’s really fun to do)

Finding the right editor for your book is about finding a partner who understands your story, your voice, and your goals.

Self-editing is a good first step, but honestly… If you’re looking for a masterpiece, a page turner, a best seller, it can’t be the only step. Editors are trained to know exactly what to look for to make what you’ve created even better. They’re not emotionally attached to the work, so they’ll be able to give straightforward and unbiased feedback because let’s be real… As authors, everything feels important, and it’s so hard to know what to cut ourselves.

I will always recommend getting an editor. Editors hire editors if they’re publishing a book. Trust me on this.

But if you’re a first-time author, the process of finding the right editor can be very overwhelming. What do you even look for in a professional editor? Do only credentials matter? What if they’re new? Should I only hire bigger companies? So many questions.

But on top of that… Where do you even find book editors?

You know they exist, but it seems like they’re all hiding. Honestly, I went to teach a music clinic this weekend, and when I told someone I was a book editor, he said, “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever actually met a book editor. I know they exist because books exist, but I have never met one in real life.”

So, where do you find a book editor, and how do you choose the right one?

Understand the different stages of editing (and why you need someone who does it all)

Before you dive into finding an editor, it can be helpful to know what editing really includes. I worked with one author, who was surprised when I delivered her edits, and I did more than just proofread her book. But trust me, editing is more than just zapping the typos and adding in missing commas. You should look for an editor who offers the full meal deal when it comes to editing.

Developmental Editing: This is your big-picture edit. It’s about shaping your story, pacing, narrative arc, character development (if applicable), and your overall message. The overall goal is to ensure your foundation is solid before the real polishing begins. And yes, you do need this for both fiction books and non-fiction books.
Line Editing: This focuses on the flow and overall readability of your writing. It looks at tone, rhythm, transitions and voice consistency throughout your book. It’s where your story or message really begins to shine; ensure every part is well structured and cohesive.
Copy Editing: This is your grammar, punctuation, spelling and word choice checker. It’s looking at accuracy and consistency throughout your manuscript. An editor won’t run every typo through you. Grammar has a distinct set of rules, so no discussion is needed.
Proofreading: This is the final polishing before you hit publish! Last-minute typos, formatting issues and any details that slipped through in the other stages. This is a last-ditch effort to make sure it’s as perfect as it can be.

I don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion, but I think every book needs every stage of editing. I don’t think you can (or should) opt out of any of the stages. Some people think that they don’t really need a copy edit because they can run it through ChatGPT or another AI program… No! Do not do this. Just let your editor do their thing.

2. Understand what kind of editor your need personality-wise

Technical skills are definitely important, but they’re not the only thing that’s important. A working and personality match can be just as important as their editing skills. You need someone that jives with your style. Think about it, if you hire the very best editor, but they’re very strict and “by the book” while you’re a little more collaborative and loosy goosy, that’s going to make for a tough working relationship.

Most editors should be pretty open to working with you. They should be asking you what you working style is, how much collaboration you want, and how you want feedback presented. But if they don’t, you should definitely ask them about this. Many of my book editing clients are good with my virtual style. I use Google Docs editing feature and leave comments. I also take notes in a document for the developmental editing. But some people like more engagement. They want their editing to be providing regular, weekly reports, etc.

It is also good to figure out if the editor is a gentle encourager or more of a tough-love editor. Some people like the very straightforward style of feedback, no beating around the bush, while others like a softer suggestion style. Here’s the tip… If you dread opening their comments or start to feel nervous when you see anythng from them… They’re not your person. If you feel uncomfortable during your meeting with them or speaking with them, they’re probably no the right fit.

3. Look in the right places

But where do you even find editors? Especially if you are choosing to not go the traditional publishing route. There are lots of different places by try starting somewhere easy… Social media.

You can search keywords and hashtags. Keep it simple, things like book editor, Canadian book editor, book editing services, freelance book editor, etc. You’ll get lots of search results from these general hashtags and that can be confusing. But do some exploring from there. Go check out their posts and stories, head to their website and review their testimonials, etc. Before you even think to reach out to them, do a little classic social media “stalking.”

You can also check out:

Professional associations (e.g., Editors Canada, EFA, ACES, CIEP). This will give you a great list of professional and highly respected editors.
Writing communities and critique groups. Do a quick Google search or Facebook groups search and see what you can find. It can be helpful to have them come pre-vetted.
Recommendations from authors or writing coaches. Referrals can always ensure you find people you can trust. Referrals mean that someone you already know and trust, trusts this editor.
Reputable freelance marketplaces (Reedsy, Fiver, Upwork—with caution). There are lots of different sites you can check out. Some sites like Upwork may get you a cheaper option (just remember, the cheapest editor may not be the best bargain).

Be cautious of things such as “rock-bottom prices” or “guaranteed publication.” No one can guarantee any level of success for your book. A catch phrase is different than a solid guarantee. For example, I often say “Let’s turn your manuscript into a best seller” or “Let’s turn your manuscript into a masterpiece.” This is not the same as saying, “My services will guarantee you a spot on the best seller list.” We can just make sure your book has all of the elements it needs to be a best seller. These buzzwords are simply there to entice you, but they are probably not your best option. They’re a walking red flag.

4. Vet their experience and specialty

Once you find someone you think you like and might get along with, start vetting their experience and specialty. Now one thing to keep in mind… Just because someone is new, does not mean they won’t do a good job. Everyone starts somewhere, and if everyone only chooses people who have edited a lot of books, the new people will never build their list up.

You can find some fantastic new book editors who will do a wonderful job with your book..

But I am a big proponent of working on education and skill set. If someone doesn’t have any sort of education (whether that’s an actual degree, a certification, or course, etc.) then I might start questioning things. Is this just an impulse service? Are they just trying to make money? I am all for cheering on the underdog and giving opportunities to beginners, but I also want to ensure that they are actively working on increasing their knowledge and skillset.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you start vetting a potential editor:

Genre expertise (fiction, memoir, business, etc.). Do they have the right expertise for your book? What is their main genre they edit? Why do they edit those types of books? You don’t want to hire a memoir editor for your fantasy romance book unless you know they can edit that.
Portfolio or sample projects. As an editor, this one is actually quite difficult because authors aren’t extremely willing to let you show the before and after of their book. But you can still ask and they might be able to share something with you. Some editors are willing to do a sample edit of one chapter, but not all of them. If they don’t have an example of their work, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are out of the game.
Client testimonials or case studies. Client testimonials can be super helpful, especially if they don’t have a portfolio. This can also complement a portfolio.
Editing certifications or memberships. These show that someone is working on increasing their knowledge and skills. They can also show a certain level of expertise and authority in the field. Not everyone will have one, but it can be nice to look for.

Many editors also offer a short consultation call or discovery call to chat about your goals, genre, and manuscript needs, as well as, to get a good idea of whether or not you jive as people. You can use this call to gauge whether the editors communication style and expertise feel like a good fit for you. Go with your gut here!

5. Ask the right questions before you hire

Whether you do a consultation call or simply chat in the DMs, asking the right questions to get the information you’re looking for is key. But what even are the questions you should be asking the potential editor?

What type of editing do you recommend for my manuscript? If they answer with only proofreading or they don’t know the different types of editing… run.
How many rounds of edits are included? You need to be realistic with this. Unlimited edits can end up with you never getting to publish your book, especially if you’re a perfectionist. It’s normal to get 2 or 3 rounds.
What’s your turnaround time and pricing model? Remember to be realistic here too. It’s up to you, as the author, to plan ahead. Asking for a 2 week turnaround for what could end up being an 800 page book is not realistic. Give the editor all of the information (or let them take a look at your book), and give them time to create a proposal. Every book is different so they may not be able to answer that on the call.
How do you give feedback? It’s good to know what to expect before you dive in. There is no right or wrong when it comes to an editors feedback style. But it’s important for you to know the expectations ahead of time so you don’t end up feeling lost.
Do you use AI in your editing practice? I am not anti-AI. In fact, I use Grammarly to help me with day-to-day typo zapping. But AI is not a human. Things like developmental editing really do need a human. If someone says they use AI extensively, run. I get that whole businesses are being run by AI, but your book should not be edited by AI. Editing can be highly subjective, therefore, it needs a human brain thinking on it’s own.

6. Know the signs of a good (and no-so-good) editor

As I mentioned, it’s not always about finding the person who has edited the most books or has the highest level of education. A new editor can be a great editor who is just working their way up. So, how can you tell if someone is a good editor or a (not-so-good editor)?

A good editor:

Respects your voice. Lots of changes should be made to ensure your book is as good as it can be before being published… But dramatic changes to your voice should not be one of them. Your voice is what makes you unique and what builds recognition with your readers. Your voice is sacred. Don’t let them take it away.
Explains their changes and reasoning. It’s not just about demanding changes be made. I take notes in an Evernote document and connect them with comments in the Google doc. I make my suggestion and give a specific reason for why I think that change should be made and what it will do to the section and the overall quality of the book. If an author decides no, that’s ultimately up to them, but it’s important for an author to see why the change was suggested so they can make an informed decision.
Offers constructive feedback, not personal criticism. I’ve never been a big tough-love kind of editor. It’s important your editor sticks to giving feedback to help enhance your book overall. The way feedback is given is incredibly important to keep a strong working relationship. I don’t think personal criticism is relevant to book editing as it does nothing to enhance the overall readability and storytelling of your book.
Meets deadlines and communicates clearly. Lots can happen as you go through the editing process. Meeting deadlines is important, but staying flexible is also important. Clear communication is the responsibility of both parties. I do know, that when I work, I am a head down and power through kind of editor. That being said, if I know I won’t be making a deadline because something came up or something took longer than I anticipated, it’s up to me to communicate that to the author. This creates trust and accountability.

A red flag editor:

Promises perfection or publication. As an editor, you cannot make any kind of guarantees. It’s not your book and you are not in charge of the marketing. If someone is promising you that your book will be perfect, that it will be accepted for publishing, that it will make a certain amount of money, etc. chances are, they’re a scam.
Changes your voice entirely. I cannot stand when editors do this. Any suggestions I make for additional information, transition changes or sentence changes, I always ensure I have a good grasp of the authors voices before I write them. Just because you don’t like the way an author is speaking does not give you the right to completely change their voice. If you editor is making these suggestions, fire them and find someone different.
Avoids contracts or clear pricing. Getting things in writing protects the author and the editor, so if someone doesn’t want to have a contract, that feels really slimy. Professionals should always have contracts and a good pricing structure. Don’t expect them to be able to give you an estimate on a call, but they should be able to explain how their pricing works. They may need to see your book first. But then they should either send you a proposal or a clear quote later.

7. Build a collaborative relationship

At the end of the day, the best editor-author relationship is a collaborative one. Editing and getting your book ready for publishing is a partnership. You need to trust that your editor has your best interests at heart. Now, this collaboration can look different for everyone. The level of interaction doesn’t have to look the same, but it’s about building a strong relationship.

To build a long-term relationship with your editor build on mutual trust and respect make sure:

You’re open to feedback–It’s really hard to work with authors who reject all of your feedback. It kind of defeats the purpose of hiring a professional editor. The way to create the best flow and collaboration is being open to accepting feedback on your book. Just remember, your editor isn’t trying to slash all of your ideas away; they’re trying to make sure your ideas or your story are presented in the best way possible for the most amount of success.
You communicate your goals clearly–The more information your editor has regarding your goals and your vision for your book, the better your collaboration will be. You can emphasize certain areas you’d like them to focus on or ask them to give their opinion on certain concepts. The more open you are to sharing your ideas, the easier it’ll be to work effectively with them.
You respect deadlines and revision timelines–While it’s important for the editor to respect deadlines, it is also important for you to respect them. Both your and your editors time are valuable. If you don’t think you can make a deadline, reach out to your editor and chat it through. Set a new deadline and go from there.

Having this relationship is really important. Most authors keep the same editor for each of their books once they find the right one, so that their books are cohesive. Once you find the right one, it’s easy to keep returning. You won’t have to get to know them and their working style again. So, work to create great collaboration the first time around.

It’s critical to find “your person” in the editing world. If you’re writing a book, your editor can make or break things.

Finding the right editor is about clarity, compatibility and communication. If you don’t jive with your editor chances are they won’t see the vision for your book. You want an editor-author relationship that is easy, enjoyable and leaves you feeling seen. If there’s a lot of friction, chances are your book won’t turn out how you want. The likelihood of having to find a new editor for your next book will be higher, causing your books to potentially feel like they’re written by two different people.

Just remember, the right editor will elevate your voice, not erase it. It’s your book, your voice should shine through!

Have you written a book and it’s time to get it edited?

Get your baby professionally edited. You worked hard, and you don’t want all of that hard work to go down the drain because you tried to take a short cut with editing. Let’s make your manuscript a masterpiece!

I have one spot remaining in 2025 for a full book edit (proofreading, copy editing, developmental editing, etc.). Let’s see if we’re a good fit, and get your book publish ready!

Apply here!