How to Choose a Book Editor (and What to Watch Out For)
Choosing an editor for your book is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an author. A good editor makes your book significantly better. A bad one wastes your money and might actually make things worse. After twelve years in this industry, I've heard plenty of horror stories from authors who chose poorly, so here's what I'd tell a friend who was looking for an editor for the first time.
Always Ask for a Sample Edit
This is the single most important piece of advice I can give you. A reputable editor will edit a sample of your manuscript (usually around 1,000 words) so you can see their style, their level of attention, and whether their feedback makes sense to you.
If an editor won't do a sample edit, walk away. There's no good reason to refuse. Some editors charge a small fee for samples, which is reasonable. But "we don't offer sample edits" is a red flag that suggests they either don't want you comparing their work to other editors, or they're not confident in what they'll deliver.
When you get the sample back, ask yourself: do the edits make my writing better? Do I understand why they've made each change? Does the feedback feel specific to my book, or is it generic? A good sample edit should make you think "yes, this person gets what I'm trying to do."
Check Their Track Record
Look for testimonials from real authors, ideally with names and book titles you can verify. An editor with dozens of specific, named testimonials has earned that trust over time. Vague praise from unnamed sources tells you nothing.
Check whether they've worked in your genre. Editing a romance novel requires different skills and sensitivities than editing a hard science fiction book or a children's picture book. Ask what genres they specialise in, and if they say "everything," be cautious. Most experienced editors have areas of strength.
Published credentials help but aren't essential. I've written and published over ten books myself, which means I understand the author's perspective. But plenty of excellent editors haven't published their own work. What matters is their editing ability, not their author CV.
Understand What You're Paying For
Editing isn't one thing. It's a spectrum from big-picture structural feedback to fine-detail proofreading, and the pricing should reflect what level of work you're getting.
Developmental editing looks at the big picture: plot, character arcs, pacing, structure. This is the most intensive (and expensive) type of editing because it requires the editor to understand your entire book and provide strategic guidance on how to improve it.
Copyediting (or line editing) works at the sentence and paragraph level: clarity, flow, grammar, consistency, word choice. This is what most authors need and what I do most often in my in-depth editing service.
Proofreading is the final pass, catching typos, formatting errors, and anything that slipped through earlier edits.
Be wary of editors who bundle everything into one vague "editing" service without explaining what's included. You should know exactly what level of editing you're getting and what the deliverables are (edited manuscript, editorial letter, follow-up call, etc.).
Red Flags to Watch For
No sample edit available. As I said, this is the biggest one. There is no reason for a competent editor to refuse.
Guaranteed results. "We'll make your book a bestseller." "Publication guaranteed." No editor can promise that. Editing improves your manuscript. What happens after that depends on a hundred other factors. Anyone making guarantees about sales or publication is either lying or doesn't understand the industry.
Unclear pricing. If you can't get a straightforward answer about what the edit will cost before you commit, something is wrong. Good editors will give you a quote based on your word count and the type of editing you need. That quote should be in writing.
No contract or terms. A professional editor will have clear terms covering what's included, the turnaround time, payment terms, and what happens if either party needs to cancel. This protects both of you.
They want to rewrite your book. An editor's job is to help you write the best version of your book, not to impose their own style. If a sample edit comes back with your voice completely changed, that editor isn't right for you, no matter how technically skilled they are.
What a Good Editor-Author Relationship Looks Like
The best editing relationships are collaborative. Your editor should explain their reasoning so you can learn from the process, not just accept or reject changes blindly. You should feel comfortable pushing back on suggestions you disagree with. A good editor won't take that personally.
Communication should be easy and direct. If you email a question, you should get a clear answer within a reasonable time. If something isn't working mid-project, you should be able to say so.
Many of my clients come back for their next book, and the editing gets better each time because I already know their voice and style. That's the kind of long-term relationship worth looking for. Your first project together is essentially a trial, and if it works well, you've found someone you can rely on for years.
Questions to Ask Before You Commit
Here's a quick checklist. Can I see a sample edit of my manuscript? What type of editing is included and what will I receive? What's the turnaround time? What's the total cost, and is that fixed? Have you worked on books in my genre before? Can I see testimonials from previous clients? What happens if I need revisions on the edit itself?
Any editor worth hiring will answer all of these without hesitation.
If you'd like to see how I approach editing, I'm happy to do a free sample edit of your manuscript. Take a look at my services and pricing or drop me a message and tell me about your book. No commitment, just a conversation.