How to Find an Editor for Your Novel: A 5-step Guide

If you're looking for an editor or proofreader for your novel, hats off to you! This means that you've finished the core story and think you're ready to publish your manuscript. You're also smart enough to know that getting a manuscript edited professionally is very important. However, finding an experienced editor who will treat your manuscript with care is a tricky task. Follow these tips to find the right one for you.

1) How much should I pay for editing and proofreading?
The price can vary considerably, based on length of the project, quality of editing or experience of the editor. Don't expect to get off cheap and never look for a 'deal'. That said, a lot of proofreaders overcharge. Shop for the best, most qualified editor you can find who has handled similar projects before, and see if they fit in your 'budget'. Editing a novel could be between $500 to $1500, but it's an investment.

2) Should I get proofreading or copy editing?
Get both! some editors charge less for 'proofreading only' as opposed to copy editing. The difference is that proofreaders only fix mistakes, while copy editors make more substantial changes. I know, I know... you think your book is perfect and don't want someone else to muck it up; but believe me, a novel (especially one just finished, and doubly a first novel) needs a whole bunch of tender love and care. A good editor will check for plot inconsistencies, lack of character motivation, poorly written dialog, chapters that don't move the plot forward, unusual word choice and more. Paying for an editor who knows their stuff is like getting a private writing tutor; you'll get back a much stronger manuscript as well as a priceless education in writing.

3) Choose someone with a background in literature
Most professional editors didn't study editing or English. Find out what their credentials and background are. They may be brilliant at fixing mistakes, formatting, or grooming the writing - but can they recognize 'bad' writing and make it better? Are they good writers themselves?

4) Choose a native speaker, from the market you want your book to be successful. Proof of address is no guarantee of a native speaker. I recently had a client demand to talk to me on the phone - I thought it was unnecessary at the time, but I realize now he wanted to make sure I was a native speaker. There are a lot of people who are great at English, but not all English is the same. Dozens of countries speak blends of English which is very different from the US/Canadian English, which is also different from UK English. Generally, US English is international English.

5) Where to find an editor for your novel?
First of all, search 'novel editing/edit my novel' in Google and see what comes up. Remember that the websites on the first page of Google are probably more established (have been around longer) but there are plenty of small companies with less advertising budget if you look past the first page results.

Website design isn't everything; lots of editors are not technically gifted - however the site should be clean and orderly at least.

There are also lots of sites to post a project and get bids (elance.com, guru.com, freelancer.com) and you may be able to find a great proofreader this way; however these sites are often frequented by less established, proven editors - you may get a lower price but you're taking a risk with quality (not to say that you can't find a good one, but it's like fishing in a mud pool, you don't know what you catch until you pull it up).

Most importantly - don't rush! Your book is important, and you'll save money and be more successful by taking your time and doing your research. Focus primarily on improving the book, rather than just publishing.

Get professional editing help
Visit mypaperperfect.com for professional editing; fix your novel, dissertation or manuscript