After teaching at a writer’s conference several years ago, an attendee spoke in frustration, “It sounds like you’re saying everyone needs an editor, but some of us can’t afford one. What are we supposed to do?”
I loved her comment, because it’s a common misconception that all writers need editors. So how do you know if you need to hire an editor? Ask yourself two questions:
- Do I want to see my book/article published quickly, or am I willing to wait months (or years)?
- Can I afford to hire an experienced professional?
What many writers fail to understand is that getting published requires a large investment of either their time or their money. Neither approach is wrong, but they do each come with pros and cons. The trick is to find out which type of investment you want to make.
Time
Authors wanting and willing to invest time often spend years waiting to get published. During that time, they develop strong writing skills. They tend to take critiques and suggestions well because they’ve been exposed to them over the years. And they’re more likely to get a contract with a larger publisher because they’ve already spent years learning to write and getting an agent—what’s another year (or two)?
Waiting, however, is a con for many people. Those years spent learning, submitting, being rejected, learning more, etc. can be brutal—it’s heartbreaking to work so hard for so long and still not get the contract. (Though it’s incredibly rewarding when it finally happens!)
Money
For some authors, getting their message out quickly is a high priority. Whether it’s an illness that hinders their writing, the timeliness of the topic, other responsibilities that eat into their writing time, or simply a passion to get their projects out to readers, they don’t have years to spend developing their skills … right now.
I’m not saying that these writers don’t understand the value of developing writing skills or a well-written manuscript. (If they didn’t value those things, they’d self-publish their first drafts and move on.) They know their manuscripts need work, but they want to see them published sooner rather than later.
That’s when a freelance editor can help.
Writers still need to edit and revise their manuscripts to the best of their abilities, but after you’ve done all that you can, you hire an editor. A good professional editor will not simply change a manuscript and return it; a good professional editor will work with the author to strengthen the writing, which often results in the author learning more about writing and the process so that the next manuscript is better than the last. (See? Still developing their skills but in a different way.)
Next Steps
If you’ve decided you’d like to work with and learn from an editor, your work is just beginning (sorry!). Not all editors are the same, and it’s crucial that you research and vet potential editors so you get the most out of your investment.
If you’d like to learn more about hiring and working with a freelance editor, join me at The Well for a weekend of learning and fellowship with the creative community!
Award-winning author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery also owns Write Now Editing, helping authors turn good manuscripts into great books. She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, her aunt, and four dogs. When she’s not writing, editing, or teaching, she and her husband drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord.
