The Editorial Process

By Marrissa Lawson

In this section: Author’s Chosen Editor • Editorial Expectations • Copyediting • Glossary

Before hiring an editor, it is essential to do research on the freelancer that you are interested in. An important thing to remember is that you have the right to choose an editor that matches you and your project. That being said, not every editor is the same nor are they open to similar topics, genres, or book lengths.

Author’s Chosen Editor

A developmental editor is one that assists the writer in developing the large aspects of their project: plot, characters/character development, and world-building. This editor is someone that focuses on whether your overall point and purpose is being served in your project. They give very little attention to grammar, but may point out issues regarding syntax, diction, or narrated details.

Just as you have a style and preference, so do developmental editors. So when looking for an editor, a few important things to know are:

  • What is on the editor’s manuscript wish list?

  • What is that editor interested in reading?

  •  What is their project history?

  • What is their editorial history and what are their credentials? (i.e. have they worked with self-published authors, have they worked with your genre of books, do they have an awareness of writing technique, etc.)

  • What have other writers and authors said about that editor?

Book Proposal

Developmental editors will know how to assist you best when you can present them with a book proposal. The point of the book proposal is to pitch your manuscript in an organized, accessible package. A developmental editor will not choose to work on a project that they feel no connection to, and you shouldn’t want them to. Very few people will love your project as you do, so you want to find someone that is going to adore the work and treat it as precious—someone to be its champion. You want an editor that has a respect and love for your project while still having a balanced view on how it can be improved. To make this process easier for you and the editor, a book proposal should include:

An Author Bio: A short description of the author that includes their hobbies and everyday interests, main writing interests, and accomplishments (writing or other). 

Book Description: A paragraph that sets up your project’s main premise well. Include basic information such as the project’s genre, target age group, and inspiration. It is also recommended that you include unique aspects of your project: What makes your project stand out within the genre or why is it important for your target group? You can talk about things that you would like the book to do as well. The point is to give the editor enough of an idea of the project and all that it offers.  

Reading Sample: Fifty pages or the first two chapters (based on your preference) for novels and the full manuscript for children’s books.

Meeting the Editor

Do not hesitate to ask for a meeting with the editor, especially if they show interest in your project. Although they can seem like a perfect fit through your research, they can still not be a fit for the project you want to release. This can be because they have a different vision for the project after reading your book proposal. It can also be because your styles and personalities are too different from each other’s. Meet with the editor to have all your questions answered and be reassured of your decision.

Things to Consider

Be sure to have questions ready for the editor. Examples include:

  1. What do you think of this character?

  2. Is there anything that you think is important to change? 

  3. What things would you change based on the sample I have sent you?

  4. What vision do you have for my project?

  5. Have you ever seen a work like this?

Pricing

To get a general idea of the cost of hiring an editor, take a look at the Editorial Rates chart on the Editorial Freelancers Association website.

Once you’ve found the right editor for your project, it’s always good to have an idea of the how the general process will go from here. We’ll dive into the most core portions of the editorial expectations next!