Ten questions to consider when hiring a freelance editor

 

by Alison Janssen

(wait, I'm Alison Dasho now!)

 

Are you considering working with a freelance editor on your manuscript?

 

1. What kind of editor are you hiring? Developmental and/or line editor? Copy editor?

 

2. Is the fee flat, or based on an hourly or per word rate?

 

3. Will the editor be available for questions/brainstorming/help after delivering her feedback? Will that kind of availability be an additional fee?

 

4. What's the turnaround time for an edit?

 

5. Have you communicated your goals for your work?

 

6. Has the editor worked in your genre before?

 

7. Do you have a style sheet you can include with your manuscript to aid the editor? (Especially if you're writing a big, multi-book epic?)

 

8. After corresponding with the editor, do you feel you can trust her? Have you comparison-shopped a few different freelancers, or did you get a great recommendation for the editor you'd like to use?

 

9. Did you consider hiring me? ;)

 

10. Have you already gone through several rounds of self-editing, and are you ready for an honest and professional opinion of your work, which may sting a little but will ultimately help you see your story in a new light?