Okay, you have completed your novel. Or a nonfiction book. Have read and reread your book what feels like hundreds of times. Clarified things. Cross-checked character descriptions like eye colors, personal style, and personality quirks. Looked for plot holes. Looked for your crutch words. Did a find and replace for extra spaces. You feel confident that your work is ready… for another set of eyes.
If you are at this point, and you feel that you are ready to hire a freelance editor for your writing project to get it ready for publication, like a copy editor or proofreader, there are a few ways to find one for your needs.
Google is Your Friend
You can google, of course, using search terms like “freelance copy editor” or “freelance line editor website,” but if you look for an editor in this way, you’ll find such a wide array of, well, just anyone who claims to be an editor. However, it’s done, and quickly.
You can find different types of editors this way, through their websites, mostly. But these sites can be unmonitored and the editor may not get back in touch with you if you use it to reach out to them. Social media accounts do come up in searches. And, of course, as with any Google search, there will be YouTube videos by freelance editors who have channels. ;)
Breathe
In fact, you’ll probably find such a wide variety of possible contacts that it will seem overwhelming. And, to be honest, anyone can claim to be an editor, as (unfortunately) there are no absolute qualifications necessary to be an editor.
It is actually a good idea to use websites to do the research for you. There are sites with listings of freelancers that are actively looking for clients.
Some commonly used freelancing sites are:
Unfortunately, the quality of editors in these types of spaces is all over the place. In fact, so many of them don’t charge much at all because they are very new at it, do a very quick job so they aren’t very thorough, or both. So, you have to ask yourself: is that really what you want?
Editing Organizations
Many experienced editing professionals become members of organizations for editors. Such organizations assist both editors and you, the author, in making connections.
Such editing organizations are:
ACES (Originally called the American Copyeditor’s Society, now called The Society for Editing)
The EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association)
CiEP (The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading)
Editors Canada (formerly called the Editors’ Association of Canada)
All of these organizations’ websites have editor profile listings. You can find more qualified editors in these types of spaces.
Just Ask
Keep in mind that you are just putting out feelers to see if your personalities mesh. It doesn’t have to be intimidating. You are reaching out to communicate with a few editors to ask for samples, to get an idea of how some editors might communicate with you.
For example, you could check these sites for freelance editors that do the kind of editing that you want. Then, compile a short list of about 10 contacts, and send them an email or message to request a sample. That’s it, really.
Initially, I had the idea for this post a few weeks ago, when I joined the EFA. In fact, I am currently working on my profile for my listing. As soon as that’s ready, I will be editing this post to include it. In the meantime, I will put my Linktree in here so that you can get in touch with me if you need anything, or have further questions for me.
Thank you, everyone, for reading this post.
Heather