FINDING THE RIGHT COPYEDITOR
By Nicky Hackett
So you’ve written your manuscript, revised it with a developmental editor and a few trusted readers (and then revised it again), and you feel ready to move forward. What is your next step?
Well, if you are self-publishing, now is the time to connect with a professional copyeditor to give your manuscript that final polish.
THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL STEP!
We’ve all had the experience of skimming some already published material, only to find a typo that wriggled its way through our many rereads.
So who do you look for and how do you find them?
You are looking for COMPETENCE. I bet it’s true that your mom, your best friend and your English teacher are good at spelling and grammar, but copyediting is a honed skill that takes practice and experience. For example, it was copy editors who taught me that in the book world “copyeditor” is one word, but in journalism it’s two. Who knew!?! Not my mom...
You are looking for CONNECTION. Are they a good fit with you, your process, your timeline, and your writing? Not every writing relationship is a good match, and that’s ok! Tell them the length of your book and give a brief description. Reveal your genre and anything controversial that might be uncomfortable for them, like violence or distinct political and religious views. Many copyeditors will do a small sample edit, some for free. Take advantage of this! Do you agree with their suggestions and appreciate how they communicate them?
Start your SEARCH. The best place to get trustworthy referrals is from trusted friends and colleagues in your existing network. If they’ve used a copyeditor, ask who they used and about their experience. Ask in author circles, particularly of your genre, who they’ve used and what their experience was like. As always, internet research is tricky. Ranking high in a Google search means the source is good at marketing, but not necessarily a good match for you.
VET the best candidates. Ask about past work. Ask to see samples. Do they have experience with your genre? What is their process? How long does it take? What software do they use? How many times will they review your draft? (this should be at least 2 or 3 times) How do they communicate and what will they expect from you? Understand their pricing model (per hour, per word, flat fee) and compare total cost.
Finding the right copyeditor may feel overwhelming at first, but take your time and break it down. A rushed relationship often leads to regret, but a careful match can lead to an enriching, rewarding and lasting relationship.
Other helpful posts:
Copy Editing: 100+ Copy Editors for Hire in 2021
How do I find a proofreader, copyeditor or developmental editor? (written for the UK, but has valuable general information)
Critical-thinking copyediting (written by a copyeditor to other copyeditors, but gives anyone good insight into the role)
One who has unreliable friends often comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
