How to Hire a Book Editor: The Indie Author's Complete Guide
Your editor is the most important professional you'll hire for your book. This guide covers every type of editing, where to find vetted editors, what to pay, and how to work with feedback effectively.
The 4 Types of Book Editing Explained
These are distinct services that address different problems. They must be done in sequence — never out of order. Don't proofread a book that still needs developmental work.
Developmental Editing
Also called: structural editing, story editingAddresses the big-picture elements: story structure, character arcs, pacing, plot holes, point of view consistency, and whether the premise is working. The editor may suggest cutting or adding entire scenes, restructuring act breaks, or rethinking character motivations.
Line Editing
Also called: stylistic editing, substantive editingWorks at the sentence and paragraph level. Improves clarity, flow, rhythm, word choice, and the overall quality of your prose. A line editor strengthens your voice rather than replacing it. Not to be confused with copy editing.
Copy Editing
Also called: copyediting, manuscript editingFixes grammar, punctuation, spelling, continuity errors, and factual inconsistencies (character eye colour changing, timeline errors). Enforces your chosen style guide (Chicago Manual of Style is standard for fiction). Creates a style sheet tracking names, places, and terms.
Proofreading
Also called: proof, final readCatches any errors introduced during formatting and any typos that slipped through copy editing. Proofreaders work from a formatted PDF or EPUB, not a Word document. This is not a substitute for copy editing.
Where to Find a Professional Book Editor
The best editors are usually booked 2–4 months in advance. Start your search earlier than you think you need to.
Reedsy
Vetted marketplacereedsy.com
Pros
All editors are manually screened. Easy to compare proposals. Fixed-price quotes. Dispute resolution. Genre filters.
Cons
Higher prices than direct hire. Reedsy takes a commission (~10%). Less flexibility for negotiation.
Best for: First-time authors who want security and easy comparison
EFA Directory
Professional associationthe-efa.org
Pros
Editorial Freelancers Association directory. Members self-report rates. Long track records. Genre specialists.
Cons
Manual outreach required. Quality varies. No platform protections.
Best for: Authors who want a direct professional relationship
Author referrals
Community recommendationFacebook groups, Discord, Reddit
Pros
Real-world proof from authors in your genre. Often find editors before they're fully booked. Warm introductions.
Cons
Only as good as the network. Hard to scale the search.
Best for: Any author active in genre communities — this is the best source
Upwork / Freelancer
General freelance platformupwork.com
Pros
Wide price range. Escrow payment protection. Easy to review portfolios.
Cons
Quality is highly variable. Must vet carefully. Many "editors" have no publishing credentials.
Best for: Authors on tight budgets who can verify credentials independently
Red Flags When Hiring a Book Editor
The editing industry has no official licensing requirements. Anyone can call themselves an editor. Use these red flags to filter out unqualified candidates.
✕No sample edit offered
Every professional editor should be willing to edit 10–20 sample pages, sometimes for a nominal fee. If they refuse, move on.
✕Turnaround under 2 weeks for a full manuscript
A thorough edit of an 80k-word novel takes 3–6 weeks minimum. A 1-week turnaround means a surface-level read, not a proper edit.
✕No publishing or editorial credits
Ask for their CV or LinkedIn. Look for: previous in-house publishing roles, editorial departments, writing center experience, or ACES/EFA membership.
✕Rewrites your voice without asking
In a sample edit, note if their changes sound like you or like someone else. A good editor strengthens your voice; a bad one replaces it.
✕Quotes only on total project before seeing your manuscript
Any editor quoting a flat fee without reading at least your synopsis and sample pages cannot accurately price the job.
✕No contract or payment terms
Verbal agreements leave you unprotected. Require a written contract covering scope, timeline, deliverables, and payment milestones.
✕Guarantees publication or sales success
No editor can guarantee your book gets published or sells well. This is a sign of inexperience or dishonesty.
✕Only one revision round with no follow-up
Standard practice is to include at least one round of follow-up questions after you've reviewed their edits.
How to Evaluate a Sample Edit
Send the same 10–15 pages to your top 2–3 candidates. Here's what to look for when you compare the results.
Depth of commentary
Tone and rapport
Genre knowledge
Voice preservation
Actionability
Always Edit Before Sending ARCs
ARC reviews posted on Amazon are permanent. A reader who mentions typos, inconsistencies, or plot holes in their review will affect every future reader who sees it — potentially for years.
The correct workflow is: write → self-edit → beta readers → developmental edit → line/copy edit → proofread → then send ARCs. Never reverse this order to save time. The short-term gain of a faster launch is not worth a permanent negative public record on your book.
When your book is fully edited and polished, iWrity makes it easy to get it in front of matched ARC readers who will post honest, high-quality reviews on Amazon.
Set Up Your ARC Campaign on iWrityAfter the Editor: Get the Reviews Your Polished Book Deserves
A professionally edited book with zero reviews still won't sell. iWrity connects self-published authors with matched genre readers who receive your ARC and post honest Amazon reviews — turning your editorial investment into real launch momentum.
Start Your ARC Campaign — Free