As I approach the end of my first book (that I really like), I’d like to hire a decent editor

[Guest]

I need any tips, tricks and recommendations. This will be my first time. (it’s feminist sci-fi, so I’m slightly concerned on finding an editor and publisher).

[Laura]

Go through a literary agent, they'll have all the connections and won't charge anything until you get paid.

[Rebekah]

There are a lot of great resources for authors on the Reedsy website. They have lists of editors. Get references and know what kind of editing you're looking for.

[Aria]

send a few pages of a "sample" from the middle or end of your book. (not the beginning) and see how they do. If they catch the things you want them to catch (maybe even add a typo or two as a test), then you're probably safe. If they miss obvious things, keep looking.

[Leila]

How to pick your editor: Choose a qualified, professional editor. Have the editor go through a sample of your writing and give you feedback. You and the editor must be compatible and can establish a working relationship.

Types of editors:
• Copy editing - Word-by-word editing addresses grammar, usage, and consistency issues. Copy editors will check for typos and spelling errors and correct grammar, language, syntax errors, and punctuation, such as commas, semicolons, and quotation marks.
• Line editing – Also known as structural editing. It focuses on the finer aspects of language – the flow of ideas, transition elements, tone, and style.
• Developmental editing – This comes early in the writing process. It addresses setting, timeline, characters, plot, story structure, pacing, and presentation.
• An editor makes suggestions. You, the author, get to decide whether to accept or not.
• An editor does NOT change the author’s voice. Does NOT change the story.

[Gary]

Before you sign the deal with any to help you with with writing, editing,, publishing or doing anything to a book, consult the long established idealistic nonprofit organizations.

Writers Beware. And: Predators and Editors. For decades they have worked tirelessly to stop writers from being ripped off by con men and incompetence.

They have lists of evil greedy practitioners who rip off writers and have files on many more who have doubtful practices. Like any people who care about something passionately and are deeply involved, writers are very emotional about their work and thus vulnerable to exploitation by con men.

[William]

vet them. make sure they have industry proven credentials. then pay them what they're worth - one of the biggest mistakes aspiring writers make is expecting editing to be cheap, trying to lowball good editors, or going with a cheap, less-skilled editor.

[Brownell]

First, I'd edit the heck out of it yourself first. That way you're getting the most out of your money. To do this, I use several editing programs, do a detailed scene analysis on every scene, and use the Read Aloud function to "hear" mistakes.

Good luck!