improve your editing experience

When looking for an editor, there is a lot to consider such as who is the right fit, experience level, style manual, time availability and expectations, and what the editor will need to be able to meet your needs.

First, make sure you talk to the editor. The following are some details you need to ask about before hiring!

• Experience and background in editing

• Available edited works

• References (if available, sometimes they are not due to confidentiality)

• Style Manual used by the editor (this should always be Chicago)

• Literary history (ask about their reading preference)

• Get a sample from the best and worst parts of your manuscript
  The best is usually within the first five chapters, and the worst (least revised) is toward the middle or three-quarters to the end.

• Request a phone or video call with the editor to discuss the sample and expectations

• Request to review the contract and NDA before signing
  Always take your time to thoroughly read and understand the entire contract before signing, even if it requires days, weeks, or more. Do not sign anything you have not fully read and understand. Do not agree to verbal interpretations of the contract without it being written into the contract before signing. Contracts are a negotiation!

• Availability to edit your work
  Make sure you know where your work falls in priority and that it matches your expectations for publishing.

Second, after you decide on your editor, you will begin the process, but this can be stressful for some. However, you can do a lot to reduce the ‘unknown’ aspects by providing the editor with what can feel like a lot of information, but for the editor, it is better to have too much than not enough!

These are a few items to provide:

• Manuscript (complete, incomplete, or serial work)

• A detailed and complete summary of the submission
  A maximum of 3,000 words for manuscripts with ‘spoilers’

• Character Sheet & Style Guide
  This should include the correct spellings and pronunciations for all characters, locations, and unique words. Character sheets should be a concise list of the character, physical traits (height, weight, sex/gender, hair, eyes, race, ethnicity, etc), and a short description of any unique details (magic, social status, etc). If you are unsure, ask your editor for a blank sample of a Character Sheet & Style Guide.

• World Building Notes
  Include the details of the magic system, magical realism, science fantasy, or real-world functions or locations that are relevant to the story that may or may not appear in the story (Example from Fantasy: Chicatgo [Chicago], 1977, businesses are all cat puns) that deviates from common knowledge or otherwise easily accessed information.

• Story Outline
  A chapter-by-chapter story outline of the entire manuscript (as applicable), with key plot points from each chapter. These short summaries should be approx 20-100 words per 1,000 words.

Third, make sure your editor has the best means of contact with you. This will, however, include a set of DO NOTs.

DO

• Provide your legal name, preferred name, and publishing/pen name

• Your best contact phone number, email, and/or social media point of contact

• Your legal mailing address

• A copy of the final signed PDF in print or by email

• Ensure your editor provides all of the same (above) to you

DO NOT

• Give out your Social Security number

• Passwords or otherwise login information

• Copyright registration number or login information

• Copies of Birth Certificate, Passport, or Banking Information

• Picture of copies of Debit or Credit Cards

• Detailed family information or information about your minor children
  Remember you are hiring a professional, not a friend.

• Ask your editor to write a review
  Your editor is not your audience.