Why hire a professional?
Because you want to give your story the best chance of being a strong, high-quality experience for your readers!
But hiring a professional editor can be a daunting task, not to mention a considerable investment. It can be difficult to find someone who is honest, caring, and qualified.
I want to help you get the service you need and want most.
Here are my top ten tips for writers looking to hire a professional editor:
1) Check their credentials – Make sure they are knowledgeable and experienced. Also look for great testimonials.
2) Find someone within your genre – An editor needs to understand what your readers want and expect. Genres are fluid, and some conventions can be bent or even broken. A good editor will be able to guide you in the right direction.
3) Get a free sample edit – This is the best way to see if both you and your manuscript are a good fit. DO NOT hire anyone who is not willing to provide this professional courtesy!
4) Contracts – Read them thoroughly! These should be signed by both parties before any work is exchanged and should protect your work.
5) Get an upfront quote – Pricing should be established during the contract phase, so there are no surprises at the end.
6) Know their timeline – Also established during the contract phase, you want to know when you can expect the work to be completed.
7) Set expectations – Every editor has a unique process to the services they offer, so make sure you understand exactly what the tangible results will be, which should be included in your contract.
8) Find someone who focuses on you as the writer – A harmonious author-editor relationship is super important. They should understand your goals and be working to help you achieve them.
9) Find someone who focuses on your readers – An editor should work as the readers’ advocate. Both writer and editor are teammates working towards the same goal: providing readers’ with the best experience possible.
10) Good vibes – You will know in your gut if it is the right fit for both you and your manuscript!
Bonus Tip:
* Find an editor who inspires you to be a better writer! An editor should never be condescending, but rather give inspiration and motivation to each author who is on a unique part of their journey. After all, writing is a life-long craft.
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