Comments on: When to Hire a Freelance Editor

By: Laura Wilkinson

Laura Wilkinson — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:08:55 +0000

Interesting piece (as always on the site). I work as an editor as well as an author, and would like to second the point about joining a good writers group before working with a developmental editor(important, as groups can vary and, sadly, some are destructive rather than constructive). I work with a literary consultancy in the UK, Cornerstones, and many writers expect a developmental editor to also take on copyediting and proofing roles. I can see that this saves money but is far from ideal in my view. Anyway, yours is an important piece as more and more authors turn to self-publishing.

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:49:29 +0000

This is an excellent synopsis of the editing process, succinctly put. She must be a good editor.
Having done some editing myself, and relying on a good line editor recently, I agree it is often worth the time and expense.

By: Chantel Rhondeau

Chantel Rhondeau — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:00:14 +0000

Nice explanation of the different level of editors. Friends I’ve made in self-publishing circles seem to be unaware that there are different types of editing available for hire. I think it is important to hire the right type of editor for what you need done.

I also know people trying for traditional publishing, and they are hiring editors to give their manuscript the best chance possible after getting a few rejections. Editors are essential for all writers at some point in the process. Thanks for the explanation.

By: Kerry Holjes

Kerry Holjes — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:21:19 +0000

In reply to Suzanne Lieurance.

Hi Suzanne,

As a developmental editor, it would be my job to help you make your manuscript the very best it can be for its type. However, as I warned in my blog post, no editor can guarantee that an agent or a publisher will be interested in your book—no matter how fabulous the finished product. Let me add that before laying out the considerable cost of hiring a developmental editor, a writer should join a good writers’ group and/or submit some pages to a critique clinic for a reasonable fee. The more objective feedback a writer can get, the more aware that writer will be of their project’s shortcomings. Sometimes a reality check is essential prior to spending money on an editor. That’s one of the reasons I like to offer free editing for the first five pages of a manuscript. It lets me know whether or not the writer is in a position to engage an editor. A little honest feedback upfront can save a lot of financial hardship down the road. I think it’s unscrupulous for an editor to take on a writer before their project has had more informal review. I wish you the best with your writing and would enjoy helping you at any time in the future if you need assistance.

By: Suzanne Lieurance

Suzanne Lieurance — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:14:28 +0000

Hi, Kerry,

Great tips. As a developmental editor, it sounds like you can also help writers who are wanting to submit to traditional publishers – not just those who want to self-publish. You can help writers write a manuscript that is more marketable. That will save them so much time and money in the long run!