What to Look for in a Freelance Editor

If you're a writer who intends to publish, either independently or traditionally, then you know how important it is to hire an editor. But you may be wondering where to start. We'll talk about where to find an editor and the process of hiring one in the next couple posts, but for now let's focus on what qualities to look for in an editor.

Experience
You'll want to hire an editor who has experience. Simply put, you want to make sure that they know what they're doing. Experience comes in many forms. If they've been operating for a significant number of years, they'll likely say so on their website or social media profiles. They might also highlight their educational background, any professional editing organizations they belong to, or a portfolio of previous work. Some editors offer sample edits so you can see their editing style in practice. All of these things give credibility to their skills.
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Genre
While some editors are generalists and claim to edit anything and everything, you'll usually want to find an editor who specializes in a specific genre or type of writing. If you write fantasy novels, you don't want to hire an editor who primarily works on business marketing copy. And if you write reference manuals, an editor whose niche is psychological thrillers is probably not the best fit for you. Often, an editor will advertise their specialties on their website or social media pages. When you reach out, make sure to specify what kind of writing you are seeking an editor for, and ask if they have experience in that area.

Service
We've talked before about the different kinds of editing. Some editors provide a whole host of editorial services, from developmental editing all the way to proofreading. Others specialize in only one or two levels of editing. If you're not sure what type of editing you need, make sure to talk with your potential editor and figure it out together.

Budget
With editing, you usually get what you pay for. While there are some common rate ranges (check out the EFA's rate chart to get an idea), freelance editors have the right to set whatever rates they deem appropriate for their business. Because prices usually depend on a project's particular needs, many editors don't post their rates publicly, so you'll need to contact them to ask for a quote.

Remember that you're also paying for their expertise, not just their time. That said, you need to find an editor that fits in your budget. If you think you've found the perfect editor for you, but you legitimately can't afford them, be honest. They may or may not be willing or able to offer you some sort of discount or promotional price, especially if you become a long-term client or refer other writers to them.

Availability 
An important aspect of hiring an editor is finding one who is available when you need them. By that, I don't mean that they answer all your emails instantly. I'm talking about project availability. Do they have enough time in their schedule to work according to any deadlines you might have? Or if they're currently booked and you have no hard deadlines, are you able and willing to wait until they have an opening? A lot of editors book weeks to months in advance, so keep that in mind when you go looking for one.

Personality 
The editor-writer relationship can be an intimate one, especially if you end up working together for an extended period of time. That's why it's important to find an editor whose personality meshes with yours and who you'll get along with. Personality can be difficult to determine if they correspond primarily or exclusively through email. But you can often tell what kind of person someone is through their written tone and communication style. When you contact a potential editor, ask yourself these questions: Are they professional yet approachable? Do they respond in a timely manner? Do they seem to know what they're talking about? Do they communicate clearly and do their best to resolve any misunderstandings? Do they seem to care about you and your project and do their best to address any concerns you might have?

Finding the right freelance editor can be challenging, but hopefully now you have a better idea of what to look for as you start that journey. And if you think that I might be the right editor for you, I'd love to hear from you!