Editors
I’m a passionate believer in the importance of editing and I frequently get asked for recommendations for editors.
Here’s why editing is important followed by my recommendations for editors I either know personally or have been recommended by readers of this blog/other authors.
Articles on the importance of editing
What happens after the first draft is finished – the editing process
Why you need a professional editor for your book
Editing your novel: High level story read through
How to improve your book: on getting feedback from an editor
How to make sure your book is the best it can be
How to vet an independent editor (from Writer Beware website)
Recommended editors
You should assess what you need against what each provide as well as the cost. Also consider your timings. You’ll need to book editing in advance as professionals are always busy.
BubbleCow – Professional editing, spelling & grammar check, self-publishing package. Please enter ‘PENN’ in the ‘Where did you hear about BubbleCow?’ box. Yes, this is an affiliate code but I do highly recommend Gary and his team. Click here for my interview with Gary on book proposals.
Cost: £7/ 1000 words for professional editing. £4/ 1000 words for spelling & grammar check. 21 day turnaround.
The Novel Doctor - Steve Parolini. Editorial review US$600. Red Pen of Life and Death US$1500
Here’s my interview with Steve – Editing a novel, with Steve Parolini, the Novel Doctor
Steve did the editorial review for my first novel, Pentecost and it was extremely helpful.
Victoria Mixon. Fiction and non-fiction editor handling all types of projects. Extensive information about what you can expect here.
Developmental Editing: $.04/word ($10/page) Copy and Line Editing: $.06/word ($15/page) Copy, Line, and Developmental Editing: $.10/word ($25/page)
Here’s my interview with Victoria on the art and craft of story
Roz Morris: Book doctor/ Manuscript consulting Full manuscript critique: GBP£8.50 per 1,000 words, minimum charge GBP£175. Copyediting rates available on request.
Here’s my interview with Roz on her latest novel, Memories of a Future Life.
Roz and I also have a multi-media mini-course available: How To Write A Novel which might give you a lot of things to improve before you get an edit. It includes over 4.5 hours of video, audio and accompanying transcripts with lots of actionable information for your book. US$99.
Liz at LibroEditing.com Liz does copy-editing for me and has done a great job. She also does transcription work. Proof-reading and copy-editing at £7.50 per 1,000 words or see here for more rates.
Independent Editor’s Group. These guys are seriously experienced and therefore seriously expensive. But if you want to kick your writing to the next level, definitely check them out. You’ll be looking at $1500 upwards for just a read through and line edits can be over $10-$15 per page.
Editcetera. Enabling freelance editors to meet the right authors.
Kirkus Editorial. Kirkus used to just do reviews, now they have an indie division and also an editing division. For collaborative editing/ developmental editing it will be $2000+ for a 70,000 word manuscript. For copyediting, around $1400. They have a word count calculator for the cost.
Winning Edits. Helping indie authors win the hearts and minds of readers. Pricing at 6c per word with $600 minimum.
Here’s an interview with Matt Gartland from Winning Edits on winning the hearts and minds of readers through editing.
Sarah Kolb-Williams : Editorial assessment, editing, proof-reading and back cover copy/bio. Prefers science-fiction.
The Literary Consultancy – Manuscript editing and assessment – £300 for 100 double spaced pages, and other prices for different projects, plus more tailored options.
The Writer’s Workshop – manuscript assessment and editing – £170 (base fee) then £3.75 per thousand words, plus a lot of other options for services
Organizations:
Society of Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP): http://www.sfep.org.uk/
Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers (AFEPI): http://www.afepi.ie/members.
Other Editors:
Deborah Bancroft. Editor and Writing Coach. DeborahBancroft.com. Between $3.50 – $8 per 250 word page, depending on requirements.
Sarah Kolb-Williams. Editing and other services for authors. KolbWilliams.com. $299 for editorial consultation. Various packages. Copyediting 2.5-3.5c per word.
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Do you have any suggestions for someone with an interest in BECOMING an editor for other writers?
Hi Alex, probably follow http://victoriamixon.com/ and have a look at her blog – but I don’t really know about this
Thanks so much for this list. I have been stuck with a finished manuscript for 2 years now for lack of wisdom on this point and today, I selected a editor and am on my way again. Thanks.
Do you have a similar list of recommendations for book marketers as after I am published, I will be looking to possibly outsource marketing as I still have a day job?
Hi Craig, I generally recommend that people do their own marketing – after all, no one knows your book better than you (or cares more!)
Here’s a stack of stuff on book marketing for you:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/
Hi Ms. Penn, if you’re still reading this section — To quote from the musical von Trapp family, I am sixteen going on seventeen… and going for broke. I don’t have that kind of money to spend on a worthwhile editing service. Do you know if editors are willing to work on a sliding scale or with payment plans for poor folks like me, or am I out of luck because the up-front cost needs to be paid in full?
Please don’t say “get a day job.” Writing is my job, and it’s a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling than the stress I’d have to endure at Mickey Dee’s or going to high school. I of course plan on doing edits of my own, but it’s not likely that at any point in time I’m just going to have three grand to bandy about. Is there any hope for people like me (aka “the ninety-nine percent”) who just can’t afford the pros but nonetheless want to aim high?
There are lots of options for young writers – grants, competitions and organizations that aim to encourage and help you in the process. Here’s a post that points to some of them:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/07/20/resources-for-young-writers/
I hope that helps!
Joanna, After enjoying & exhausting all your podcasts on a long road trip, I’ve taken to exploring your site. Yours is the most relevant site for indie authors. You are the BEST!
Hope this comment is somewhat relevant at this late date: Agreed, all indies should hire a pro.
To help me determine the best one, I emailed five authors from each prospective group to ask how they viewed their experience. (I had not run across your friend at WinningEdits.com at that time.) I went with, TheEditorialDepartment.com, because they had 20+ years experience and all of their published authors said it was worth twice what they paid-no reservations or hesitations. To me, referrals and testimonials are the best way to determine value over price.
Thanks for creating such a great site.
Very valuable information here! Thanks for providing this. I’m working my way through the links and videos (love your accent, by the way). I’ve bookmarked this page for when I’m ready to begin vetting editors (hopefully, early next year).
Hi Jo,
Thanks so much for the list it’s really helpful adn has saved us so much time. You’re right about booking them in advance Steve Parolini, who I was very impressed with, is booked up until next April. Yikes, think we might need to re-think the timeline for Mikes first book launch if others are equally busy (note to self, plan a bit further ahead, Doh!).
Did chuckle at the irony…checked out Bubble Cow and found 3 typos in their paragraph on detailed line editing and not sure if it’s intentional. I sent them some email feedback so hopefully they’ll change it, but thought you might want to know if you’re recommending them. I know it’s not always easy to be squeaky clean and things get missed, but if they don’t proof read their own website, not sure i’d trust them with a manuscript.
Thanks so much again for all the great value add on the pro-writers course. Mike and I would be scuba diving the murky depths without a reg if it weren’t for you
Hi Jo and anyone else reading this worried about BubbleCow by my last comment.
Since sending my email feedback to them, I got a reply almost instantly and they’ve already corrected the typos on their site, so hurrah for good customer service
p.s I had to chuckle at myself as re-read my comment above and noticed two typos so i’m not that squeaky clean either
Hi all,
I am a freelance editor looking for work–preferably new fiction writers. Please contact me for more information and/or a quote.
alliejflowers@gmail.com
A very useful list. I have finished and won the NaNoWriMo of this year and i’m entering the editing process. I have an alpha and a beta readers, I’ve already taken some notes for my futur edit jot down more idea. I want to make it professionnal and i can’t seem to find any good local (Québec) ressources. Do you know any (french)canadian editor?
Joanna, what would I do without you?
Thank you so much for this! : )
I’m working with Bubblecow myself on my latest book so I’ll let you all know how it goes. Early days but the return copy of my manuscript just came back so I’m interested to see what they made of it.
I will keep you all posted.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time studying much more or working out more. Thank you for excellent information I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.|
Silly question really. I write romance – sensual – not erotic. But I’m a bit wary of sending a MS “out there”. Preferably, I would like an editor/proof-reader who writes/edits romances as well. Do you, or your fellow bloggers, know of any? Many thanks – Caroline
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