How hard can editing a book be? And how much does experience really factor into it? These are both fair questions that should be asked of any profession.

First of all, your manuscript is your work and you’re spending your money, so budget what you can afford and get the most bang for your buck that you can. That goes for almost anything in life, and it’s the same with finding an editor.

But I want to get very honest with you right now, and this probably isn’t something other editors will come out and tell you, even though it’s blatantly obvious.

The Fact

When I first started editing…I was terrible.

Of course, I was better than your average fella off the street, but looking back on some of those early works, I just cringe with embarrassment. It’s not that I made the books worse, or that I didn’t try my best to provide the author the cleanest work possible. I just didn’t have the thousands of hours of editing experience that I have today. I didn’t have over one-hundred books of Developmental, Line, and Copy Editing work under my belt, and I sure as heck didn’t have the tools or know-how to consider myself a professional. That took time, and it takes time for all editors to reach their full potential, just like it takes authors thousands of hours and words to write a book that is worthy of their vision and legacy.

Editors aren’t born fully loaded with the tools to take your book from good to great. Of course, many editors take proofreading and editing courses to fast-track their skills, and hire mentors to guide them through best practices in the industry (you’re looking at one!). But nothing replaces experience and the knowledge therein gained. I’m proof of that. It took me five years to truly feel like I was delivering “publishing house quality editing” for my clients, and another three years to admit to myself that I wasn’t born for this. I became this.

Now, at this point, you might be asking yourself: How do I know an editor is coming to my book with a full toolkit? How can I be sure that the money I’m spending will pay dividends in the future? How do I know this person is a professional?

These are all loaded questions that I don’t have an easy answer to. But I will provide you a few key tips to watch out for.

1) Editing Rates

If your potential editor is charging under $0.015 USD per word for any editing service (ie: Developmental, Line or Copy Editing), it should set off a red flag. I know it’s tempting to try and get good work on the cheap, but you always get what you pay for in this business.

So how much is $0.015 (1.5 cents) per word? Here’s a quick math breakdown just to give you an idea:

50,000 word book X $0.015/word = $750.00

These rates are incredibly low, so you either have an amateur editor working his or her way into the business, or you may have a non-native English speaker from another country where the US Dollar goes a lot further (and they can justify the low rates).

$0.02/word is a livable wage for editors. Anything less than that and (at best) you’re looking at someone working a side gig, hoping to land a few clients to provide them some additional income. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but like I said: you’ll get what you pay for.

2) Request a Sample Edit, Testimonials, and Proof of Past Work

This is very important. Before you hire anyone, ensure they have a portfolio of clients, can hand over testimonials, and are willing to provide you a sample edit. Sometimes editors will ask for payment for sample work. That’s 100% normal and should not dissuade you from pursuing their services.

However, if an editor is hesitant or unwilling to provide you any of these, consider the reasons why. Do they not have a portfolio of clients? Can they not provide positive references? Are they not willing to put in the effort to retain you as a client?

3) Request a Video Call or Phone Call

While most business between you and your freelance editor will likely be done over email, before you pay a dime, ask to schedule a video call with your potential editor.

Your relationship with your editor is an important one. You should be able to communicate well with each other, and your editor should be able to field any and all questions you have about the process, their rates, and anything else you wish to know about editing. If they can’t, then they don’t know what the heck they’re doing, and it’s time to move on. It’s as simple as that.

Not all editors are equal. Many are on different stages of their professional journey, and their rates, client base, as well as their willingness to collaborate and answer questions will reflect the quality of work you can expect.

So is cheaper better?

No, and if your budget can’t accommodate an editing professional, then either wait until it can, or contact me for possible options. I have deals on for new clients during the slower months of the year when I have gaps in my schedule. You may have to wait a few months for one of those gaps, but it’s whole heck of a lot better than throwing your money away.

—This was a part of the Editor Myth Series. For more, check out my previous posts:

Editor Myths: A Good Writer Doesn’t Need an Editor

Editor Myths: All Editors Do the Same Work

Editor Myths: An Editor Will Ruin my Book

Editor Myths: All Authors Require a Developmental, Line, and Copy Edit