Become a Writer: Hiring a Book Editor: 10 Mistakes to Avoid 

I like the fact that even though you're definitely a person with a kind demeanor, when you're talking business, you're not sugar coating anything. This is extremely helpful. Thanks, your advice is clear and on point.

Great advice. An author friend insists he doesn't need an editor. It's so frustrating...

I talked about this exact thing in my podcast last week. Got scammed my first try. Found a lovely copy editor second attempt, but now I plan to self publish I've found the editor of my heart on reedsy. And 100% agree on the sample edits. I narrowed a potential list down to 5 then judged them on the sample edits. Huge difference in approach, style and therefore price.

Just discovered your site. It's the most useful I've found. I got burned last year by an editor who promised much and delivered very little. Sadder but wiser and all that.

From a freelance copyeditor's perspective, this is a very thoughtful and fair video. There's a trend online where writers looking to self-publish discourage the use of professional editors, or suggest that all editors should work at low prices. I appreciate what you had to say about sample edits. I saw a video with very well-known "influencer"-types who told viewers that writers are entitled to a free sample edit, and the editor is a scammer if they charge anything for a sample edit. Many very respectable editors who I know do charge for sample edits, but also do what you described and deduct the cost from the final bill. Since I've been freelancing for only a year and have less experience, I do offer free sample edits, and I know some other more experienced editors do as well. But just because an editor charges for a sample edit doesn't mean they're a scammer out to rip you off.

Good Info. I can vouch for Reedsy. Found a first class editor who did a superb job and didn't break the bank.

BRILLIANT! I have zero experience with writing. I am writing my one and only book and have no clue where to start, so it was refreshing to hear a video that spoke directly to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Thank you. I'm a brand new author and navigating how to self publish has been an adventure.

Thank you so much for this video. Very helpful! Regarding an editor asking for a percentage of the royalties: what about the reverse? I'm poor and really can't afford ANY editing. For the right editor, I would happily assign them a significant percentage of royalties.

Thank you so much for your frank and insightful advice! As a new, unpublished author looking to become a self-published author-to-be in the indie market, the information you shared is priceless.

Great video. Simple, direct and not too much personality. I'll be back.

I'm glad I came across your video! Out of the many I've watched, this has been THE most informative. Admittedly, I was scared to have someone other than as friend or grammerly edit my book, simply because of cost. But now, you've helped me understand what I'm looking for and I will save the money to have it done. Thank you🎉

New sub here! I derived value from this!

Because I self-edit my own novels multiple times with and without software, I typically only pay for a copy-edit.

hired a girl on Upwork to transcribe (print to text) and gave her a flat rate, then $200 more for the next book and $200 more on top of that and so on. I consider this employee appreciation

As a brand new author, this was very helpful! Never heard of you before I can across this video. Looked up ur books and I’m definitely gonna check out your work. Thanks again😁

I honestly was looking for a video on what sites may be the best to find an editor. But I was immediately drawn in to the content of your advice. I appreciate how detailed and blunt this was. Great video.

Wow thank you! You are the first person to recommend copy edit over developmental editing, Thank you!!

Hi. I have been going crazy about hiring an editor. I've seen many videos and none have been right. Watched 10 mistakes to avoid today and you are excellent. You answered all my questions, gave me major suggestions and your presentation is reassuring. Months of worry are gone. Thank you so much. I can't wait to comb through your page!

This was really good content. I’ve made so many writing mistakes before I found autortube. I’m glad I found videos like this before I got to the professional editing stage. Thanks, dude.

Wait hang on. I've not seen your videos before so I'm genuinely asking here. Why would you not recommend a developmental editor? Which video should I watch for elaboration?

Thank you this education is priceless.

Definitely helpful information I had not heard elsewhere. Your final point meshes with an earlier one regarding contracts. I'd like a contract which would call for full or at least partial refund should the editor not complete the project at all, or not on schedule.

I really like your way of communicating information. To the point and valuable. I’m getting ready to publish my first book.

Very helpful. Thank you. Direct and to the point 💯.

VERY sound advice on many points.

Mr. Micheal, you have "presence" my friend. Love your videos! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Thanks this was very useful. Got two novels ready to edit and i will use this information to pick an editor..great work you come through every time just when i need the info..

Very informative 👏 thanks a lot 🙏. Rarely can you find this much information about editors.

Thank you! Extremely helpful! I am just wondering why you are against developmental editing? I have always heard from others that I should look into it if self-publishing.

There’s so much I never even thought about in this video, thanks for sharing your experiences!

I really like this video. I felt it helped me understand a lot.

I appreciate the gold, friend.

Great video. Easy to understand and extremely helpful in my search for an editor

A note on UPwork...any business relationship begun on UPwork MUST pay the UPwork fees for 24 months from the start of the relationship. You can pay an exit fee to get around this.

My advice: learn how to edit. The craft of writing is a continuous learning experience. The writer's job is to write well. Any short-cut you take to get your book out will detract from the final product. There is no substitute for a proper edit, you should care enough to edit your own manuscript as best you can, before even considering hiring an editor. You can provide a good edit if you apply yourself. Is it even possible to hire someone who cares about the quality of your work more than you do?

Your well spoken thank you for the info

You say don't give an editor credit on the cover, but should you give them acknowledgement in "acknowledgement section," or is that giving them more credit than they should have? Looking to self-publish since it seems like the traditional route has been quite a struggle. Thanks for your informative video!

god bless you , i needed this

Michael, do you have suggestions for finding genre specific editors? Rather than sorting through all, as in historical fiction over 500 pages.

This was a huge help

I am seventy years old and I have written my first book It is my autobiography. I am so out of my comfort zone. Please, do I copyright my book first or edit it first?

Hi Michael! I got a question as a newbie author: Should I have a copyright of my book prior to sending a manuscript to an editor? I’ve been researching and getting mixed responses. Maybe it’s a paranoia, but I just want to make sure. I’m going to be using Reedsy to hire an editor.

Great information I appreciate it! I'm on my first book which isn't too long in length but i want to make sure it flows good, i will use these tips moving forward. 👍

So informative. Subscribing

Do you have an idea of how long it takes to edit a book of 400 pages? I mean in terms of months, do you have an idea?

Thank you for all this info-it confirmed a lot for me

Thank you very much for your most informative video, I found it very useful and I am subscribed now. I just came across your channel now, so, I am not sure if you've already covered this, but, one thing I concerned about is, is it safe to give your novel to an editor before copyrighting it? I am very nervous about this and I'm sure I don't need to be, but this being my first story, I want to get this perfectly right the first time. Thank you once again!

Love your video and your speaking style - thanks for your effort! It sounds like you are saying a copy editor should cost in the hundreds. I saw on the Reedsy cost calculator you mention, based on the 2022 "marketplace data" they collected, it costs between $2,400 and $3,400 to hire an editor for a 60,000-word book. That took me aback. You think this figure is a bit inflated?

I released my latest book. The reviews are good but almost everyone says the book needs a better edit. Punctuation, comma's and spelling are some of the problems. Should I use a program or a physical person?? Story is strong, grammar is weak...

I believe each of you have Stephen King talent!!!! After you said that I subscribed immediately.. It actually made me tear up lol I just felt like I found this video for a reason and Stephen King is one of my favorite authors and I feel like even without you knowing who you're helping, you're definitely trying to help someone so, thank you!! I subscribed

Thanks , that happened to me before with them raising rates but it was with the illustrator on a series in a pen name. It wasn't too high. It was the principal though. Don't start on the book then tell me after you start the prices are going up. It was right before Xmas. So maybe she was trying to buy Xmas gifts. Her quality of work really dropped on this third book. She was rushing and the characters didn't even look the same age or the same as they did in the other books. We would normally work on one or two images at a time and be in agreement. Oh she used to show me the sketch first before she even got too far so it wouldn't be completely finished and she have to start over.I would give her instructions. We normally had good communication. This time She created the whole book and like one night. It was a children's book, so it was lots of pictures. She didn't like them and didn't want to redo them. When she went up on the prices and did worst quality of work and make sure to change my password because she had been uploading them to create space for me. she was mad about both and blocked me. I originally met her on Fiverr. It broke my heart when she blocked me and didn't finish the project. I ended up not publishing that book for over a year. The new lady I found seemed nice . She did a decent job. However as time went on she started being late on projects a lot and eventually quite communicating on the freelance site. This was also discouraging. It felt like it kept getting worse from there with each new person. So I feel like I should have more than one option since I'm normally working on different genres and sometimes two projects at a time. I don't like depending on one person. The last one I worked with on a couple books,I lived in Africa. He was always having bad phone reception issues or Internet cutting out and the stuff would be weeks to months late on Fiverr. Not to mention those that were in my budget didn't always understand English well.

Dear Michael, I just watched your video and subscribed. I am writing my first book which is a Memoir. Sub Genre is self help, and Christian. Can you recommend editors that I can use? I know the red flags, but I would like your professional recommendation. Thank you kindly! Warm regards, Mark

SUBSCRIBED IMMEDIATELY 😊

I do have a question! I hope to be traditionally published. I have written three chapter books intended as a series. I am currently working with an editor on the first one. Should I have all three professionally edited before querying and hold books two and three for an agent or publishing house editor to do? Thank you.

very helpful thanks man! ...also when do i give my copyright to an editor?

Would you say that "line editing" and "copy editing" is redundant? Sounds like only copy editing is unnecessary. Would you agree?

Your videos are gems!

I got a sample edit on my book before too.

Yes, VERY helpful, thank you.

Those are what I was looking for. Thanks!

Good video brother. Thanks for the insight.

This is the best video yet on the subject. Thank you! My problem is that I write plays and script books. Everyone I have contacted sends me back a Screen Write format proving they have no idea how to format a skit book and just googled it. Google only pulls up Hollywood style formats. Any suggestions? I've tried many search engines without success. You are very well spoken, great work!

What would be a sub-genre of "memoir"?

Great thoughts! Appreciate it.

Very helpful video, thanks!!

Very helpful. Thank you!

Yes, very helpful...meeting an editor who is in my writers group re my first 80,000 self publish draft...problem tho...I have a crush on her brewing. What about trading editing for cabin repairs. Foolish question Im sure. Rescue me..

What should i expect with book covers? I have a book cover designed in mind. Do I provide my book cover ideas to the publisher or do i get the book size then provide to a book cover designer? Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Thank you very much for this insightful and informative video! I appreciate all of your expertise and incredible details!

Newby question: if there's no contract, what prevents an editor to take over your manuscript and publish it at his/her own book? I'm working on my first book and paranoia is settling in, help! :D

Thank you so much, this is great advice!

Thank you for this information ☺️👍

Thank you for this.

Great video, Michael

Very helpful, as always. Thanks!

THis information was very helpful. This my first book and i am coming close to the end. Do need an editor if you use an editor software like Grammarly?

Thank you, a thorough and excellent effort.

Thanks for your channel.

Very clear and helpful advice, thank you 😊

Thank you very much😊

So valuable!

Stylistic editing which seems to be comparable to Copy editing, you said to expect to spend a couple of hundreds (its a script not a novel, shorter form) but if you’re quoted over a grand, and over two hundred to do a test of edit of 17 pages, is it a red flag?

Good Morning, I am a bit overwhelmed with the process. I purchased Grammarly premium and it made some great suggestions; however, i am reviewing my work. i am finding myself changing or switching the paragraphs. Should I just let the publishing company assist me to ensure my plotting is on point? please help

Excellent video, I was wondering the most about editors stealing work and making it their own. Has this ever happened? would a contract solve it? any other strategies? Thanks

Great content, thanks

This was beneficial!

Any thoughts on when to pay, such as paying in chunks based on milestones?

Great video!

Excellent: My challenge is I have twins books dealing with the same subject matter. One is non-fiction, the other is fiction.

So, so helpful. Are there unscrupulous writers who would steal what you have written and make it there own. How do you protect yourself? Also some parts of my book could make me liable because of the nature of the stories. So it is not a memoir, I want it to be a fiction memoir with the "This does not include anything that relates to blah blah etc.I do change the names and my name. I write under a pseudonym.

Should Authors on the Traditional Path Pay an Editor? Or do authors need to hire editors when they are going to publish traditionally or the publishers hire editors to edit authors book?

One point I'd like to add to your list of warning signs, if the editor is way too complentative and doesnt really highlight anything you need help on or your weakness be really wary. No one's work is perfect

Hi dear. I am writing a book which will be finished soon. But my friend proposed to edit it for me ($800 for 50k words). Do u think I should ask her to do a sample? She’s in the writing business, but it makes me nervous since it’s my first book. How can I make sure that she’s the right person to edit my book? Thanks in advance for answering.

Hi thank you for this video.

Developmental ,Copyediting is flow consistency, proofreading....

If I'm in the US and I find an editor in England via Reedsy, is that OK? Or is it best to keep it within the US?

what measures should one take to prevent an editor from stealing the manuscript and claiming to be there

Hey Michael, as to #1 here, I've been writing my whole career but only as a book editor since last year (I was the editor of a lifestyle magazine and a business journal since 2007, but for purposes of book publishing, that's a more recent development). I am also a 4-time author (soon to be 5). I've got a substantial 4-year-old blog and am working on several editing projects right now. But if authors adhere to #1 as a rule of thumb, they'd be missing out on somebody skilled, reasonable and really easy to work with. How would I combat that, especially if I'm reaching out to authors to help them with editing? How best to pitch them to put their minds at ease that they're going to get a quality product?