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Choosing an Editor

You will work closely with your editor. You'll want to consider several things when you choose them.

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You'll get the best editing from someone you work well with, and the more you work together, the more you'll "get" each other. If you have narrowed down your possible editors to a few finalists, assuming all are qualified, it's okay to go with a gut feeling that you'll like working the most with one.

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Does your editor offer all the services you want them to?

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Some editors offer editing at all stages of your project, others form teams. Others specialize in one of the steps. It's fine if you have different editors for each step (and I would argue that by the time you get to the copyedit step, you need fresh eyes, so a new editor whether it's an independent editor or a member of your editing team who has not read your current work yet). You need to ask yourself if you want a team or to find each step's editor yourself.

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Photo of book open with a left and a right page both curved so together they form a heart; fairy lights out of focus in the background. 

Image by Benjamin Raffetseder

Photo of some of Penni Askew's resource books standing with spines facing viewer. Chicago Manual of Style, a dictionary, several writing, editing and grammar books.

ReferenceInclu17thEd_101_0182_edited.jpg

Do you communicate well with each other?

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Depending on which stage of editing we're talking about, the amount of communication back and forth will differ. When you're working with a developmental editor, once they have returned your project, you should be able to ask them questions and have some discussion of pros and cons for if you do this or that. If it's not clear in the contract how much communication is included in the fee you paid, ask. By the copyedit stage, communication should be pretty minimal--updates that your project is going well or questions the CE has. But once they've returned it to you, you shouldn't have very many questions and can accept or reject each change based on your preference.

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How will you know if you and your ed make a good team?

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You can hire an editor for a small project to see how well you work together. If you only have a full-length story, you can request a sample edit.​

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For more information on hiring an editor, click on this link to the Editorial Freelancers Assocation page that offers their take on hiring an editor.

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