Booking the Perfect Editor

Aspiring authors often ask, “Is an editor necessary?” The short answer is yes. There’s a negative stigma that independently published books are low quality. Many of us are working to correct this perception. It’s the responsibility of the entire indie publishing community to raise the standard. Getting your book professionally edited is part of that responsibility.

Cost of Editing

Professional editing is an investment—but your manuscript and your audience deserve quality. When budgeting for editing, you’ll need to consider the type of service you need, the length of your manuscript, and the editor’s experience.

If you’ve ever submitted work to be edited and didn’t notice much improvement, it likely had more to do with the editor’s experience than the quality of your writing. A general pricing estimate ranges from $0.005 to $0.05 per word. Prices will vary depending on the editor, the services requested, and your word count.

Services

Editors offer a variety of services. Some may go beyond the standard types listed here. Before reaching out for pricing, have a clear idea of what kind of editing you need.

Copy Editing

In my professional opinion, every aspiring author needs copy editing. This form of editing brings clarity to your writing. As the writer, you may be too close to your manuscript to recognize certain habits or see the bigger picture.

Copy editors bring much-needed clarity to your words. Sometimes a section doesn’t land the way it should because it lacks clarity or proper execution. A good copy edit can turn a 2-star book into a 4-star one.

Line Editing

This type of editing focuses on the structure of your paragraphs, lines, and sentences. Line editing ensures your writing isn’t heavy in one area and thin in another. If you struggle with sentence structure, organizing dialogue, or placing scene or chapter breaks, this is your go-to service.

Developmental Editing

If your story has plot holes, too much plot armor, weak character development, or underdeveloped world-building, you need developmental editing. It’s one of the most expensive services because it takes more time and deep involvement in your story.

Some editors will make the changes for you. Others may provide detailed feedback for you to implement. Some offer a mix of both. Be prepared for the cost. This type of editing can also take your story from 2 stars to 4 stars.

Proofreading

If spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are a struggle for you, proofreading is essential. I personally recommend always including proofreading in every editing package.

A professional editor will skip over spelling and grammar issues if proofreading isn’t included in the contract—and rightfully so. Editors deserve to be paid for the hard work they do.

Where to Look

Where can you find a qualified editor? Great question. It can be tempting to ask a friend or family member to edit your book for free or cheap. But based on the services we’ve outlined, know that the most an untrained friend or relative can offer is proofreading, with some general feedback.

Think of it like this: having your friend edit your manuscript is like your mom touching your forehead and saying you have a fever—versus going to a trained doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Your mom might be right, but chances are you’ll still need to see the doctor.

Here are a few platforms to help you find the right editor:

   •   Upwork

   •   Reedsy

   •   Fiverr

   •   Christian Book Editors

Setting Up Contracts

Before hiring an editor, set up an interview process. Request a Google Meet or Zoom call to avoid being scammed or ghosted.

Prepare 3–5 specific questions to help you vet them. Here are a few recommendations:

   •   Which genres are you most familiar with?

   •   Is there a genre you prefer or find easiest to work with?

   •   What services do you offer?

   •   How long would it take you to fully edit a manuscript of this size?

   •   How many revisions do you offer?

   •   What is your rate for a manuscript of this size?

   •   Can you provide the titles and authors of 3 books you’ve edited in this genre?

We also recommend asking for a sample edit. Send a short excerpt (no more than 1,500 words). Some editors may request a small fee—no more than $15 is reasonable. Only request this from editors you’re seriously considering.

Once you choose an editor, send them a contract. You can use a free template from Google Docs or a platform like PandaDoc. Your contract should include:

   •   A nondisclosure agreement protecting your work

   •   Payment terms and schedule

   •   The editor’s legal name and mailing address (in case legal action is needed)

   •   A breakdown of services and manuscript word count

   •   Professional expectations

   •   Deliverables and due dates (e.g., final copy, tracked changes, Word doc, PDF, formatting for print)

Give the editor 3–5 business days to review the contract. They may request additional time to review it in detail—use your discretion. Do not send payment or your manuscript until the contract is signed.

If you follow this process, you’ll save money, find the right editor, and walk away with a beautifully edited manuscript. You’ll also have legal grounds to protect yourself if things go wrong.

If this post helped you, make sure to subscribe. Stay tuned for our upcoming Authors Booking Contracts course!