Everyone needs an editor. It might seem like an unaffordable expense in the production of a book compared to a cover design, but it's equally as important - arguably even more important. A beautiful cover design isn't going to save you from harsh reviews because your story had major errors you were too blind to see in your writing flow.
Here is what I have learnt about the editing process:
1. You can find a great editor on Reedsy, but you need to search for fit. The right genre, the right type of editing, and a style that aligns with how you work and how you want your book to feel.
- Don't be afraid to ask for samples of their work. Some will even offer to do a small sample of your piece.
- Always get at least three quotes to compare. Sometimes it's worth it to spend a little more if you really like the way someone has engaged with you. Or sometimes you just need to meet a budget and junior with less experience is the route you need to go.
2. There are different types of editing, with different price tags:
- Developmental editing is where you typically start when your book is finished but early draft and you need big, sweeping perspectives on how the story is coming together. They aren't going to comment on the nitty gritty of your grammar and punctuation, but they'll point out plot gaps, tropes, character flaws, storyline consistency issues, and an overall opinion on the merits/shortcomings of your story. You can expect a report of notes and comments throughout your book indicating ideas for changes, re-arranging paragraphs and sometimes praise. Rates can be quoted by the word or page and vary from $0.02 - $0.10CAD per word depending on the volume of the work and genre (non-fiction vs. fiction).
- Copy editing is done after developmental. This is when someone goes line by line through your story to fix the nitty gritty. It's expensive because your story is long and they have to read it with a fine-tooth comb. For example, did you spell the character's name as Talos in chapter 2 but then said Taros in chapter 12. Or did you switch from past to present tense by accident? This is the kind of work that gives your story polish and professionalism, but you can expect it to take two rounds at least to get to finished state for press. Keep in mind, a line editor is not going to give you their opinion on your work. They are going to deal with the black and white track changes of your manuscript and stop there. Rates can be quoted by the word or page and vary from $0.02 - $0.10CAD per word.
- Editorial assessment is a route you can take when you have an early state story and you're not sure if it's viable or "ready". It's far less expensive than a developmental review because it's less thorough, but it will help you understand the direction of your work before you're so far into writing it, that the revisions feel overwhelming or heaven forbid it's not viable and you have to start again. Rates for this kind of review will vary based on the editor's experience and reputation. Expect anywhere from $200 to $1,500 CAD depending on the length of your book.
- Beta reading is another option to consider. You can ask your social followers if they are willing to read it for free or some editors will do a light touch beta read for a small fee.
- Agent assessment is when you pay an editor to review your work for readiness for agent submission. Usually this is an editor that has a track record working in big publishing firms and knows what agents/publishers are looking for. You might only bother with this if you're wanting to shoot your shot at traditional publishing. Keep in mind, just because they may think it's viable, doesn't mean your story will actually be picked up. This is just to help you get a gauge of readiness. This is typically charged on a flat fee and will varying greatly based on the experience, reputation, and network of the editor.
3. Good editors take time. They have existing projects they are working on and this is work that shouldn't be rushed. Particularly copy editing because you won't be pleased if you've paid $2,000CAD for a thorough edit and things are missed.
4. I have said it before and I'll say it again, because this is a very common understanding amongst authors - you will likely spend more time editing and revising your story than you did to originally write it. The revision process is lengthy if you want to hit a certain level of coherence, polish, and captivation for your readers.
5. Take a break from your story. It's ok to leave it for long periods of time. Stephen King in his book On Writing shared his approach which is to write the full first draft, and then walk away from the book for a 6-8 weeks, even starting another story in the meantime. You need time and space to "fall out of love with your book" as he put it, in order to have the fresh eyes and open-mind necessary for editing and revision.
With the above in mind, you can potentially see how a relationship with your editor becomes quite personal and why many authors recognize their work in the acknowledgements of their books. You are both pouring significant energy into bringing a story to life, over a long period of time, and it requires a certain level of camaraderie to get through.
So yes, you need an editor and it's worth it for you to find one that fits.