Choosing an editor is not an easy task. The success of your novel depends on how well it’s written and how well it’s edited.

Finding an editor is much like finding a doctor or a caregiver. You want someone who will take care of you and/or your baby. Your novel is like a baby to you. You want it to be successful.

Much like when you are looking for a doctor or caregiver, you can research and find an editor. This will take a little time, but it’s worth it.

Gather a list of editors

People will say to “Google” for editors. Of course, you can do that, but who knows who will you find. One of the best ways to find an editor is to ask other writers.

I joined a writing group I found on Facebook and discovered my first editor. I asked a few questions and ended up using her. However, she didn’t edit as she said she would. For my next book, I searched for another one through the same group. She worked out much better.

Another good place to look for an editor is the Editorial Freelancers Association. This website helps you with all aspects of finding an editor, including helpful tips and a rate chart.

Even if you’re not done with your novel, keep your eyes open and start making a list of editors now. I still have some editors bookmarked now, but I will probably use the second editor I used before.

Check out their websites

Once you have a list of editors, look at their websites. Look at the genres they edit. Look for testimonials from other authors.

Depending upon how long your list is, narrow it down to two or three and send messages to each of them. Ask them any questions you have and make sure they answer your questions.

Know what kind of edit you need

Editors do different kinds of edits. As I explained in a previous blog post, you need to understand the different kinds of editing.

Ask yourself these questions. Do I need a developmental edit? Or do I need line editing or copyediting? Maybe all you need is someone to proofread.

If you don’t know the kind of edit you need, the editor may do more or less than you want.

Know your budget

One of your questions will be what the editor charges. As an editor and proofreader, I don’t post my rates on my website. Every job is different so what I charge for each client varies.

What an editor charges could be your deciding factor, especially if you have a budget, or an amount, you can afford in mind. That’s okay. This helps with that final decision about choosing an editor.

Ask for a sample edit

If you still not sure or if you think you have found the editor you want to use, ask them for a sample edit. The second editor I used allowed me to give her the first chapter of my novel. She did a great job with it so that sealed the deal for me.

An editor should always be willing to do a sample edit. I have done them occasionally, but not everyone asks for one. I wouldn’t refuse to do this because that person could be a potential client. And a client you could get again and again as she publishes more novels.

Understand the editor

Seeing your novel all marked up from an editor is tough. You have to understand it’s for the best. Editors, like myself, want to help you make your novel the best it can be. I want to see you be as successful as you want to be

You don’t want grammar and punctuation mistakes. Do you? You don’t want a huge plot hole. Do you? Of course, not. You want readers to buy your novel, and you want to be successful.

If you have a great tip to add or if you’ve a good experience finding a great editor, I would love to hear from you!

The post How to Choose an Editor for Your Novel appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

I had the honor of leading a chat for the 10 Minute Novelists group, and I shared those differences with the group. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge in the chat that I thought I would share the information here.

The kinds of editors

Believe it or not there are four kinds of editors. I only one or two of them for my own novels, but not my other writing. As an editor and proofreader, I don’t usually hire anyone to edit my blog posts, but for my novels, I do.

1. Developmental editor

Depending upon what you can afford and what you need for your book, you can use a developmental, or sometimes called a substantive, editor to help with plot structure.

This person helps you fix plot holes and other plotting problems as well as character descriptions. You could say this editor is a writing coach, cheering you on to publish a great manuscript.

2. Line editor

Like the name suggests, a line editor reads your manuscript line by line. Sometimes writers confuse this kind with a copyeditor. However, they each do different things.

A line editor looks for things like grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. This person also checks sentence structure as well as the transitions between paragraphs.

3. Copyeditor

A copyeditor is slightly different from a line editor. This person does similar thing, but isn’t as detailed as a line editor. This person looks at grammar, punctuation, and consistency issues.

Like for example, if a character has a birthday in May in one part of the book, but the character has a birthday party in December, the copyeditor would catch that kind of mistake. This person would look for changes in dates or names, too.

4. Proofreader

This is the last step in your manuscript’s editing process. Part of the word itself comes from a proof. The person would look at a proof one last time before the printer took it to be printed in a book, a newspaper, or other types of writing.

A proofreader will look for formatting issues, typos, repeated words, and spelling. This person won’t be making any big changes to your book, only small things. It’s a one last time read through making sure the novel is as perfect as can be.

If you self-publish your books, you will only see these four types of editors, if you choose to use all of them, because you will do the rest of the steps to publishing.

If you publish the traditional way, then you will have an acquisitions editor. This person works for a publisher and is in charge of getting the books. This editor is the person an author will contact as the novel goes through the process of publishing.

Hiring an editor

One of the the things I stress the most about self-publishing a book is to make sure you have it edited by another person. That person needs to be able to look at it objectively and give you good feedback.

If you have a poorly edited book, you won’t sell any copies. In fact, the reader may ask for a refund. I have read books with many errors and usually don’t finish them.

If your budget is tight, I would at least get a copyeditor or possibly a line editor to read through your manuscript.

And if that isn’t in the budget either, then find a writing friend who can give you honest, even brutal, feedback about your novel.

What kind of an editor have you used? If you haven’t used an editor, what kind do you think you will use?

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