Choosing an Editor
—Choosing an Editor—
Be picky. If you’re reading this post looking for advice: Be picky. Also check out this site. I found my first editor, Editor John, here. Editor Amy, as well. More on them later.
In 2020, when I completed the first iteration of Nightlighter, I figured I’d need someone to help polish the manuscript and elevate it to the next level. I had never worked with an editor before; the idea was exciting to me. Manuscript complete, (working title at the time was A Tale of Dimension, and approximately 228,000 words) I contacted my uncle (a published author in nonfiction) hoping he’d be able to connect me with, though different genres, his editor. After a brief phone call, we decided his contacts wouldn’t be the best fit for my project. This was a learning experience: hire an editor that works in your genre.
Also, hire an editor with a purpose. I learned there exist many different types of editing:
Developmental
Copy
Assessment
Line
Proof
I soon discovered I was in the market for a developmental editor, i.e., an editor who specializes in world-building and macro plot structure and character development. I also discovered this is typically the more costly as it’s the most involved and time intensive. After about of week of painstakingly pious research, I narrowed my list of potential developmental editors to 11. I scheduled phone calls with each and had a few of them do a sample edit of the first chapter of the book. Three stood out; two of which were Editor John and Editor Amy.
Editor John (John Rak of Montag Press) particularly enjoyed the immersive feel of the opening few pages (I’ll need to include the original draft and in-line comments in a later post, or perhaps in another one of my secret webpages...), but identified too much head-hopping (more on this later). He asserted that, with some work, the book would and could be commercially ready—which he assured me wasn’t a comment just to fuel my ego and subsequently hire him. This was exciting. This was the first time someone else demonstrated faith interest in my writing. (Another time was back in college—my 2013 Freshman year at Azusa Pacific University when my Writing 101 professor appreciated my sometimes off-putting esoteric literary tone. There was also my Senior year Creative Writing for Fiction professor...)
Editor Amy (Amy Joscelyn of Amy Joscelyn Story Editing) was impressive, to say the least. Like Editor John, she enjoyed the world-building and was detailed in her comments, but she also argued (suggested?) that the story was beginning at the wrong time. Essentially, she suggested I cut the first 5,000 words of the book. She was incisive and thorough. Creative and to-the-point.
After much thought, I decided to hire John. (Don’t worry, Amy still played an integral role.) He was cheaper and worked for an indie book publisher, which I thought could be an asset later down the road. John and I worked together for nearly two years. He was just as much a book coach as he was an editor. I was a fish out of water and he was the steady fisherman weathering the storm that is writing an epic speculative fiction novel. With John, I realized I didn’t really know what I was doing: I had characters, yes; a plot, sure; but it was messy, disjointed, and self-flattering. John helped glue things together; he laid a foundation. He streamlined my shit-show of POV, adding that 3rd person omniscient is no longer “of the time”.
There’s more I need to say on this subject and I’ve drifted a bit. In short: hire an editor that A) Works and/or specializes in your genre (yes, there are editors out there for every genre). B) Digs your work. You’ll feel much better about yourself. C) Hire an editor that has skill. They should have a list of credits, clients, and/or testimonials. If they don’t, find somebody else. Give them some of your work to edit—typically they’ll do this pro bono. You’ll be able to discern whether they’ll be a good fit for you. And D) Negotiate a contract. AND BE SURE THERE IS A CONTRACT. Most editors are willing to meet your needs (within reason).
That’s it for now. I’ll say more later, I promise.
TJH -- 10.27.2023