It’s sage advice, but a lot of writers aren’t sure how to find an editor, what to ask for, or what to expect. Many are also not clear about the different levels of editing: structural/substantive editing, copyediting and proofreading, and what they may need. I cover this in my blog on Copyediting v Structural editing .
It is a big thing to hand your precious manuscript over to someone else to read, so choose your editor with care. Some specialise in a genre, most are generalists. Shop around, but don’t only choose on price. Look for testimonials. Look for information about their professional experience on their website. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on their website. Call them and ask. Ask what you will receive for your money. Make sure the business arrangements are clear and ask for them in writing. The editor or agency should be more than happy to answer questions you have about the process.
While anyone can call themselves an editor, there is a professional body in most countries for text-based editors. In Australia it is the Institute of Professional Editors. They keep a register of members searchable online, and have other useful information such as how to brief an editor. They also have a code of ethics members have to comply with. It’s a good starting place, but be mindful that it captures only a proportion of editors working in the industry. I, for example, am not a member of the Institute, and of the six excellent editors on my team, only one is.
Finding a manuscript assessor
If you are looking for feedback on your work and assistance in improving it, the first step I often advocate is a manuscript assessment. While some assessors identify as editors, not all do, and not all editors offer assessment services.
An independent, professional assessor or editor is experienced in critically engaging with manuscripts and in giving feedback. You don’t have to send your work to an assessor before submitting it to an agent of publisher, but it is widely recommended in the industry. And assessors are sometimes listed on agent and publisher websites. An assessment is a health check, or a reality check. Assessors provide you with a report about your manuscript looking at elements relevant to your work such as structure, character development, plotlines, setting, point of view, style and language usage. Some also annotate the hardcopy or a digital version, others don’t. The role of an assessment is to help the writer understand the strengths and weaknesses of the latest draft, what is working well and what requires further work to take the manuscript to the next stage.
Most government-funded Writers Centres in Australia have assessment services, as does the Australian Society of Authors. Some of these list the assessors on their site, and this allows you to check them out independently. See the Useful Links on my website. You can also find private businesses (such as mine) and individuals who offer editing and assessing services by searching online.
Clearly there is an element of subjectivity in an assessment, just as there is in a publisher’s decision to publish, or an agent’s decision to represent an author. You are wanting a professional service that is able to consider the manuscript on its own terms, assessing whether you have succeeded in writing the book you want to write.
An assessor cannot ‘fix’ a manuscript, and, I believe, cannot tell a writer whether the work is ‘worth’ pursuing or not, despite this being one of the most common things writers want to know: should they keep going with the work? My response is that you are the only person who can answer that. Assessors can, and should, point out what is working well and what further work is required to take the manuscript to the next level of development, but it is up to the writer to decide whether it is ‘worth’ continuing. An assessment can provide you with detailed information to help you make a well-informed decision.
Finding a copyeditor
Copyediting, also known as line editing, is detailed and meticulous work, requiring extensive knowledge not only of language usage, but also the conventions of book publishing. Sometimes, for non-fiction books, expertise is required in the topic of the manuscript.
I often hear from writers who say they’ve had their work edited by a friend, colleague or family member who is an English teacher, an avid reader, an academic, or great with language. That’s a good start, but I wouldn’t rely on someone who isn’t professionally skilled in the area of copyediting books if you are looking to prepare a publication-ready manuscript.
While there are conventions and rules regarding language usage, there is wriggle room in some areas. Copyeditors will compile a style sheet specific to your project to make sure there is consistency in usage of, for example, measurements, expression of time and date, terminology and names. There may be a little to-ing and fro-ing between you and the copyeditor to establish the style sheet.
Be aware there are different conventions of spelling and word usage in different countries. Australia and UK are aligned, but different to US. Keep this in mind if you are choosing an editor from outside your country.
Aside from the Institute of Professional Editors mentioned above, there are a host of businesses who offer copyediting services. The same advice applies as noted earlier in terms of shopping around, reading testimonials, asking questions. Some copyeditors provide fees on their websites, with a per page or per word rate. Others will provide a quote, as I do, because some work requires higher levels of intervention than others.
Most copyeditors will work on digital files where changes can be tracked and comments can be added. You need to be able to see suggested changes and agree or disagree with them. Make sure you are comfortable and cognisant of the editing and reviewing options in the program used.
If you are unsure about whether the editor is the right fit or skilled enough, you can ask for a sample edit, such as on a certain number of pages or chapters. However, it is unreasonable to expect an editor to do this for free, so be prepared to invest in the process.
What to expect
Good editors are on your side. They will make suggestions that enhance your work, clarify meaning, and help you deliver your intentions on the page. While you don’t have to agree with everything an editor suggests, be open to what they have to offer, and if you’re not sure why they have suggested something, ask.
You may be surprised with what you discover about your own work, and about yourself as a writer.
See also my blog The Role of an Editor