How to find decent editor?

[Reisinling]

So, I made a decision that if I hit 300 readers (which as of now seems surprisingly likely to happen?) I will rewrite my story and hire an editor. The question is.. how the hell do you find a decent editor?

I found some people on fiver, but it was relatively expensive, and I was wondering if there are people who specialize in serialized fiction etc.

 

[TheMangaGod]

I had a reader of mine volunteer so... maybe that will work? I personally wouldn't hire someone until you are actually making money on your novel honestly. Also nice! My novel has a snek too! Although she's a lamia technically, but it still counts!

 

[LordAstrea]

Yeah some people are willing to just beta read without payment. Agree with post above me. Not sure of your circumstances, but I can say from experience that just going through my story again like you're planning on works wonders for quality.

 

[Draecath]

Yeah some people are willing to just beta read without payment. Agree with post above me. Not sure of your circumstances, but I can say from experience that just going through my story again like you're planning on works wonders for quality.

So, I made a decision that if I hit 300 readers (which as of now seems surprisingly likely to happen?) I will rewrite my story and hire an editor. The question is.. how the hell do you find a decent editor?

I found some people on fiver, but it was relatively expensive, and I was wondering if there are people who specialize in serialized fiction etc.

I've found I improve much more by going back to the beginning of my story after writing maybe 10 ish chapters and rereading/ editing it. Editing a chapter right after writing it won't help much but if you give your brain time to reset you will catch a ton of issues and improve your writing for future chapters at the same time. Sure it can be time-consuming but it definitely makes you a better writer in the long run.

 

[Tim_Saian]

I'm probably one of those editors on fiverr you found with an expensive price. But if you think about it, it's a precise calculation of the cost of editing a manuscript- which most editors on there do.
If you're looking for someone to edit 1500/chap then I can give you a quote on what that'll cost. If you're interested hop into my discord https://discord.gg/YbxrtrU and yell.

Goodluck.

 

[Localforeigner]

A proper editor isn't cheap because it is a skill and a time-consuming activity. Rereads and beta readers willing to provide feedback can be great in lieu of a professional editor. However, they won't be as good as a professional, typically.

 

[Reisinling]

I do understand that, my problem is not necessarily with the price, but that as a complete layman I will have no idea if they are doing good job or not

A proper editor isn't cheap because it is a skill and a time-consuming activity. Rereads and beta readers willing to provide feedback can be great in lieu of a professional editor. However, they won't be as good as a professional, typically.

 

[DarkGodEM]

So, I made a decision that if I hit 300 readers (which as of now seems surprisingly likely to happen?) I will rewrite my story and hire an editor. The question is.. how the hell do you find a decent editor?

I found some people on fiver, but it was relatively expensive, and I was wondering if there are people who specialize in serialized fiction etc.

I'm the editor for:
Lust Knight (Rest in Pieces) - You can find it on Amazon and WN
System: World’s Collapse
The fox atop the mountain (Only grammar/advice)
and am currently proofreading/reviewing Puranae

My rates roam around $2.5/ ~1K Word chapter.
If you want, send me a PM or contact me on Discord @ MasterEu - EuclidesGBM#6786 or through ScribbleHub's discord server.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Home - Editorial Freelancers Association - EFA Freelancers, Rates & More

The EFA is a national not-for-profit organization, headquartered in New York City, run almost entirely by member volunteers, all of whom are also freelancers. The EFA’s members, experienced in a wide range of professional skills, live and work all across the United States and in other countries.

www.the-efa.org

 

[Jemini]

My suggestion, get another author who is also looking for an editor. You can edit each other's work.

I would be willing to do this with someone, but I would need to see the level of your work first. I don't want there to be a huge skill gap between us. I feel it's likely the less skilled of the two simply won't see the problems in the more skilled writer's work. So, having someone of similar skill is important in order to make it a fair exchange.

This makes things difficult because it is the truly skilled authors who are going to be able to serve as the best stand-ins for editors.

 

[HanYang]

Home | fadingstreet

publishing18.wixsite.com

Good editor with published work. good rates. Cheers.

 

[Reisinling]

I'm the editor for:
Lust Knight (Rest in Pieces) - You can find it on Amazon and WN
System: World’s Collapse
The fox atop the mountain (Only grammar/advice)
and am currently proofreading/reviewing Puranae

My rates roam around $2.5/ ~1K Word chapter.
If you want, send me a PM or contact me on Discord @ MasterEu - EuclidesGBM#6786 or through ScribbleHub's discord server.

very useful, I will read their guide over the weekend I guess

 

[Reisinling]

My suggestion, get another author who is also looking for an editor. You can edit each other's work.

I would be willing to do this with someone, but I would need to see the level of your work first. I don't want there to be a huge skill gap between us. I feel it's likely the less skilled of the two simply won't see the problems in the more skilled writer's work. So, having someone of similar skill is important in order to make it a fair exchange.

This makes things difficult because it is the truly skilled authors who are going to be able to serve as the best stand-ins for editors.

I would like to believe that editors have a bit more skill than average author in giving useful feedback, what I mean is that as an author you might reply with how YOU would write it, while editor might help you find how to write

 

[mousekun]

A

 

[mousekun]

A

How to add image as links in the footnote of a comment.

 

[Jemini]

I would like to believe that editors have a bit more skill than average author in giving useful feedback, what I mean is that as an author you might reply with how YOU would write it, while editor might help you find how to write

I've personally interacted with enough editors to know how to edit properly actually. You don't tell a person what to write, you just point out the problem areas and then give some suggestions on various techniques you are aware of that could serve as an example of how to do this better. That's what editors typically do.

Another suggestion is to look up some professional literary agents on Youtube. They typically were all editors before they became agents, and as agents they are now seeing a LOT more of other people's works than they did when they were editors. So, they have a LOT of ideas on how anyone's writing can be improved. I used to consume a lot of that kind of stuff, and it's typically from my library of that knowledge that I give my tips for improving writing from.

Thanks for giving me another layer on which to screen potential editing partners though.

Also, I agree on the point that a professional editor would be better. I thought the idea here was to find a way to get a decent editor without the ridiculous price tag. This one has exchange of labor as the price tag. This is a game where you get what you pay for though. And, as such, you are mostly limited to getting someone close to your own skill level at best with this method. Up to you whether or not you consider that price worth it.

 

[Valmond]

Hiring an editor might not be cheap. Honestly, if you cannot do it yourself. Joining a discord might be useful. From time to time, they catch a slipup of mine, and I am grateful. While also developing writing, I have also developed my skill in editing. Even then, catching all mistakes is not easy. Even the best editors may miss one or two mistakes. It happened with a friend of mine already. An easy fix, but goes to show, it is quite a process.

1. Cheapest Option - Learn to edit yourself, and learn it real good. This is what I did.

2. Hire an editor - Probably not cheap.

3. Join a discord - Can be useful - helped me out with finding very specific errors that I easily missed. Also helped me to improve my writing as well as editing skill.

4. You can put out a request in the forum. Don’t think money transfer is allowed, though not sure about this site. However, you might be able to find users willing to do so from exchanges.

 

[Reisinling]

I've personally interacted with enough editors to know how to edit properly actually. You don't tell a person what to write, you just point out the problem areas and then give some suggestions on various techniques you are aware of that could serve as an example of how to do this better. That's what editors typically do.

Another suggestion is to look up some professional literary agents on Youtube. They typically were all editors before they became agents, and as agents they are now seeing a LOT more of other people's works than they did when they were editors. So, they have a LOT of ideas on how anyone's writing can be improved. I used to consume a lot of that kind of stuff, and it's typically from my library of that knowledge that I give my tips for improving writing from.

Thanks for giving me another layer on which to screen potential editing partners though.

Also, I agree on the point that a professional editor would be better. I thought the idea here was to find a way to get a decent editor without the ridiculous price tag. This one has exchange of labor as the price tag. This is a game where you get what you pay for though. And, as such, you are mostly limited to getting someone close to your own skill level at best with this method. Up to you whether or not you consider that price worth it.

thank you it was very helpful, will look into youtube videos (i seem to remember watching some a few years back?)

Also, after listening to everyone's feedback, and looking at everything more calmly, the price indeed makes sense. Especially when someone has qualifications that even I can understand are impressive.

 

[DarkGodEM]

Just as a side note.
Don't expect an editor to be omnipotent.
We'll de the best we can to find and fix all the mistakes but one or two might still slip, especially if you have very tight schedules.
Like, say: "Can you edit 5 thousand words for me now? I need to post it in 4 hours."
As an editor I would never refuse the work if I find it possible (I just picked smth like this up) but such a tight schedule will make me rush the job a bit and increase the chances that I overlook something.

As a writer, you should always give it a second go after hiring an editor because, different from a proofreader who only fixes typos and grammar, they actually change whole sentences to make the text flow better.

 

[DarkGodEM]

How to add image as links in the footnote of a comment.

Click your profile pic on the top pf the screen and "Signature". You can edit it to have pictures.