If you’re self-publishing your novel, it’s likely that your editor will be one of the first members of your book publishing team. They also have a huge influence on the creative direction and marketability of your book. So, it’s important to pick a good one.
One great way to make sure that you’re working with an editor who will meet your needs is by having an idea of what you want in the first place. These seven questions will help you achieve a baseline of considerations to make for yourself and help you inquire about your editorial relationship moving forward:
How Did You Start Editing?
Get a sense of your prospective editor’s background. What is their degree in? What is their experience? Take this information and consider it against what you’re looking for in an editorial experience. Are you wanting (and can you pay for) someone with 20 years of experience at a major publishing house, or are you wanting an enthusiastic newcomer to breathe new life into your book? Should they have more experience in technical editing (like proofreading and copyediting) or content editing? Though this isn’t the most important question on the batch, it gives you a good baseline of what to expect when working with an editor.
What is Your Editorial Style?
Editors fall on a spectrum from kind support to cut and dry. They also range from slash and burn to reserved changes. Some will give you explanations for their changes. Others keep cross talk to a minimum. And then there’s the question of whether you’re looking to make your book more marketable or stand out from the crowd.
What do you need to respond well to constructive criticism? Maybe you need someone blunt and straight forward in order to feel motivated. Maybe you need a little hand holding to keep from feeling deflated. An editor’s goal is always to make your work better rather than cut it down. You just need to know (and ask for) what will help you achieve that!
What Should I Expect to Receive?
Some levels of editing, like line edits and proofreading, can be handed back piece by piece as you can pay for them or in one large chunk. But that can be more difficult with other edits, like developmental editing that have a single deliverable: the editorial letter. That said, some editors manage to break this down into a few pieces in case you want a glimpse into what you’re paying for. No matter the type of editing you’re working on, you should get a sense of what to expect back.
This can be a great time to request a free sample edit particularly if you’re trying to decide between line edits and proofreading. Most editors will send you 250 words of each free of charge to give you a better sense of the difference between the two.
What is Your Editorial Process?
Some editors want you to stick to their tried-and-true course for editing: developmental edit, line edit, and then proofread. Others offer a la carte services and can help you determine the best editorial strategy for your time, goals, and money. The questions to consider for yourself are how flexible do you want an editor to be and how much guidance do you want on how to edit your novel? The answer will be different for every author, but you should come to the table with an idea of what you want in mind.
How Much is This Going to Cost?
Working with an editor who uses an hourly rate can be complicated, but they should be able to still give you an estimate at first glance of your project. However, the most concrete way to price out editorial costs for your book is by working with an editor who uses a per word rate, which is very common.
Now is also the time to bring up flexible payment options. Editors who work with self-funded authors are used to the fact that you’re financing a passion project, and that doesn’t always come with immediate cash on hand. A great editor will also have tips to help you cut costs along the way as well.
What is a Feasible Timeline?
Some editors work in the here and now. Others take on new clients a month or three in advance. How long are you willing to wait for an edited manuscript? Do you have any self-edits to make before handing your copy over? Knowing your own timeline and theirs will help you negotiate and can give you an opportunity to adjust pricing and payments to meet your needs, but more on that in a bit.
Will You Be Available for Follow-Up Questions?
The answer to this one should be a resounding yes. Obviously. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to weigh in on other projects you’re working on, but if you have questions about what they have already edited, it’s their duty to make sure you fully understand both what changes were made and why they have made that suggestion.
This is especially important for big projects like a developmental edit with large structural changes. For us, we always schedule an opening and closing project meeting to help put things in context that don’t work as well via textual communication. (If it did work, you probably wouldn’t have the question!)
The important thing to keep in perspective when you’re selecting a book editor is that they work for you. It’s their job to make you happy and push your story to be more successful. These questions are a great place to start to make sure you’ll get good work and communicate in a way that helps you on your publishing journey.
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