How to Find an Editor

Any aspiring writer and novelist will be able to tell you the value and the importance of an editor in the entire process of content creation. It may not seem apparent at first, but an experienced reader will instantly be able to tell if the words have been edited and proofread or not. From the writer's point of view it is absolutely necessary to involve the services of an editor since there are many small mistakes and errors that someone else may be able to spot. If these errors persist in the text it certainly does not reflect well on the writer himself.

Finding a right editor is not a difficult task by any means, but it is important to settle for a suitable one who has enough experience in the domain, and who additionally has a good command over the language in which the text is written. Depending on the nature of the text that you have written and the platform on which it is to be published, you can scour several sources in order to get the best one possible.

Ways to Find an Editor

When it comes to picking the best sources, there are many different options for one to explore. These range from freelance editor pools over the Internet, right to professional organizations that provide them for hire, and it even involves legalized publishing houses who provide a team. As mentioned before, you must decide for yourself the level of professionalism that you require before you set out to search for an editor, and this will depend on what you have written and where it is going to be published.

A simple search online will throw up many freelancers who operate in your locality and you can make use of these services. It goes without saying that you must interact with them before you hire them. You must get an idea about their previous experience and their qualifications, and it will be even better if you can actually meet them face to face. The fees they charge will also depend upon these factors, and this will range between $15 - $100 an hour. You can even visit some writing conferences and events in order to interact with potential editors and you are sure to meet many worthy candidates at these sources.

If you are approaching a publishing house or a professional organization for the purpose of publishing your novel, then they will assign an editor to you from their payroll. In most cases these are qualified professionals who have had enough training and experience in the field, so there is very little chance of them letting you down.

Other Factors to Consider

There are many other important points to take into consideration as well, and these will all determine the accuracy of the words you have written and the grammar you have used. Remember these necessary pointers and also once you have found one, you will find the editor-writer relationship very fulfilling.

• Remember that the editor merely serves as a link between the writer and the reader to ensure that there are no glaring errors in the text. If he or she demands a change in the idea of the text then the writer must put his/her foot down.
• If you are paying him for his services then you must demand complete honesty and scrutiny. Ask the editor to give you feedback on grammar, dialog construction, passive voice, flow of events, point of view and other similar corrections.
• Do not judge them by their price. It is true that a more experienced editor will charge more, but just because one of them is charging less it does not mean that he is a bad or inefficient. Also remember that they all charge differently; some by the hour, some by the pages and some by the words.
• Maintain a good rapport and ensure that you are constantly communicating with each other. Many people feel that once the text is in the hands of the editor his/her work is over. This is not true since the writer has created the content and he has a right to know what is going on at each time, and the writer is also the individual with the ultimate authority over any major changes.

Once you have found an editor you must strive to achieve perfection by maintaining a constant flow of information between both parties. Since there are so many different sources from where you can get one, there are many differences in technique and output that you may witness. Remembering who you're writing for and how seriously you take your project will aid you immensely in this endeavor.