10 questions to ask a potential editor

In need of a book editor?

If you’ve finished writing your novel, edited it several times yourself, and let your beta readers catch your plot holes and typos, you may be ready to hire a professional editor to take you over the finish line. If hiring out for a professional edit fits within your schedule and budget, the 10 questions to ask a potential editor below will help you narrow down your search for someone who is a perfect fit for both you and your book.

Let’s Get Into the Flow…

  1. Do they have a website or a spot on the web where you can learn more about their service offerings.
  2. How many books have they edited OR how long have they been in business?
  3. What’s their editing style like? Blunt tough-love or a do they take a softer approach? Also let them know what type of feedback you respond to best and/or the style of feedback you want. If you’re a newer author and you’re not sure yet, ask for a sample edit from them. You’ll know after reading their edits/comments if they jive with your needs.
  4. What types of editing do they specialize in and/or what is their favorite type of editing to do? If they are unfamiliar with the types (developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, etc.), that should be a red flag. Note: every editor excels at some but not all types of editing. So choose the editor who is best at what you need. You may even need to hire more than one editor if you want / need multiple editing passes on your manuscript.
  5. Ask if they offer a free sample edit. This is incredibly useful information for them to figure out whether you’re far enough along in your journey to even need a professional edit yet. It will also help you decide if their editing style matches your needs.
  6. Ask if they have edited books in your nonfiction field or your fiction genre.
  7. Ask if they always have clients sign a contract. Ask to look it over and make sure there is a clause that will let you out of the contract if an issue arises where they are unable to finish the editing by the agreed upon deadline or in cases of emergency (hurricanes, etc.), illness, etc. In addition, ask how their payment process works as well as the payment platforms they use.
  8. Let them know that if anything comes up (scheduling snafu, illness, or they discover during the editing process that you really aren’t ready for a professional edit yet), that they relay that ASAP.
  9. Ask how often they tend to communicate with clients, and ask them if they would agree to emailing you an update on their progress at intervals.
  10. Ask what program they edit in. Typically you’d want an editor who is familiar with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes. It is still the most universally used method for editing and tracking edits. And if you aren’t familiar with how to use Track Changes, now would be the time to learn. It is valuable knowledge you’ll make use of throughout your career.
  11. Don’t forget to ask around among your author friends for editor recommendations and referrals as well. Often word of mouth is the very best way to find a great fit.

With these 10 questions to ask a potential editor before hiring, you’ll hopefully set yourself up for success when it comes to polishing your manuscript and preparing for publication. For more articles on publishing, check out the ScribeFlow Hub!

Author Cheri Lasota

Cheri Lasota

WayFlow Hub Founder
The Hub’s curator, editor, and writer has an insatiable curiosity about the world at large and the tech/design worlds in particular. Cheri Lasota is a longtime fiction editor; USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of Scifi and Fantasy novels; cover designer; 3D stock art designer, book formatter; web designer, and small business owner. Above all, Cheri loves to learn and share what she’s learned with others. Cheri is particularly passionate about the topics of focus here at the Hub.

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