How to Find an Editor Who's Perfect For Your Book

Finding the right editor for your book is actually quite straightforward as long as you clarify your priorities, do your research, and communicate your expectations clearly. Here’s how to find the perfect editor, complete with places to look and insights from our professionals.

1. Identify the type of editing you need

Authors usually hire editors when they have done their best at self-editing and can no longer improve their own work. You must understand the state of your manuscript to determine what type(s) of editing it needs.

These are the main types of editing:

Editorial assessment: Often the first professional feedback a manuscript receives, an editorial assessment provides broad insights on major strengths and weaknesses in your plot, characters, and structure. This high-level evaluation helps you ascertain what to do next.

Developmental editing: Also called content or substantive editing, this involves detailed feedback on “big-picture” issues. Your editor will refine your ideas, shape your narrative, and help fix any major plot or character inconsistencies to strengthen your story's foundation.

Copy editing: Once you've solved your book's big-picture issues, a copy editor improves readability by catching word repetition, dialogue inconsistencies, grammar issues, and other mechanical problems. This ensures your prose is polished and professional.

Proofreading: The final major stage of editing, proofreading catches any remaining spelling, grammar, or formatting errors before publication. Proofreaders are your last line of defense against typos and inconsistencies that could distract readers.

What if you need multiple types?

If your manuscript requires multiple types of editing, just make sure you go through them in the right order. There’s a natural progression to this process: editorial feedback shapes your story's development, developmental changes require fresh copy editing of revised sections, and proofreading catches anything that slipped through earlier rounds. Each stage builds on the work that came before it.

Of course, your book won’t necessarily need every type of editing. Many authors opt for a combination of developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Check out the following sample suggestions for an example of the “middle” stage, copy editing:

Do you really need an editor?

You might be thinking: I’m a strong writer. I’ve taken classes and even worked with beta readers. Do I really need a professional editor?

The answer is yes.

Coaches, courses, and beta readers are valuable — but they’re complements to professional editing, not substitutes. Beta readers can flag moments where a character feels flat or a scene is confusing, but they usually can’t pinpoint why something isn’t working or how to fix it. They’re not trained to identify structural weaknesses or refine prose at a professional level.

That’s where editors come in. Professional editors prepare your manuscript for publication. They understand what agents and publishers expect, what readers in your genre want, and how to make your book market-friendly

If you’re unsure what kind of support your manuscript needs, simply take the quiz below:

Once you know what your manuscript needs, it’s time to look for some candidates.

2. Browse directories of book editors

There are plenty of ways to find an editor. 

You might start by asking fellow authors in your genre (or others in your literary network) for recommendations. Another surprisingly useful tactic is to check the acknowledgements section of books whose prose you admire. Note which editors the author mentions, then reach out.

But while these approaches can be effective, most authors today find editors through online platforms — where they can browse profiles, compare experience, and choose someone who’s a great fit for their book.

Here are some of the most legitimate sites:

Reedsy’s marketplace

We may be biased, but in our humble opinion, we have built one of the best places to find professional editors online. The Reedsy Marketplace is easy to use and features some of the most experienced editors in the industry, including those who’ve worked with Big Five publishers and bestselling authors. Only the top 1% of applicants are accepted, and every editor’s work history is carefully vetted.

On each professional’s profile, you’ll find a clear overview of their experience and approach to editing. You can see past titles they’ve worked on, and check out reviews left by writers they’ve worked with recently.

Other legitimate sites

If you want to look beyond Reedsy, there are other reputable directories out there as well. Most of these also let you filter editors by service type and subject expertise (though note they’re more regionally specific than Reedsy):

Name	Market	Key Features
Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)	USA	Rate chart available; membership open to all levels
Editors Canada	Canada	Professional certification program; filter by language and subject
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)	UK	Professional levels (Entry to Advanced); reflects training hours
Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd)	Australia/New Zealand	"Accredited Editor" designation for qualified members
Editors of Color	Global	Focus on diverse editors; self-submitted, no formal vetting

There are also other general freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where you can find editors, but those are open marketplaces with minimal vetting. The list above sticks to industry-specific directories or trustworthy associations.

Now that you know where to find an editor, it’s time to sift through candidates and put a shortlist together.

3. Shortlist editors with the right experience

Beyond the type of editing service they provide, there are a few other important criteria you’ll need to consider when evaluating potential candidates.

Professional background

You want editors with enough industry experience to truly know the craft inside and out. That usually means several years working in the editorial departments of traditional publishers and/or experience as a literary agent handling acquisitions, backed up by a portfolio of published books with strong reviews. (All Reedsy editors meet these qualifications!)

Genre experience

Make sure your editor has worked in your genre, or at least shows genuine interest in your subject matter (they are readers too, after all!). More importantly, genre experience means they’ll have solid instincts about what works in your market and what doesn’t. A fantasy editor may be excellent at editing fantasy, but they’re less likely to (pardon the pun) be a wizard at editing memoirs or nonfiction books.

Editing portfolio

Look for editors who’ve worked on books with a similar audience, tone, and style to your own. A debut novelist will likely need more guidance than an established author; commercial fiction has different demands than literary work; and narrative nonfiction isn’t the same as academic writing. It all depends on what your book requires.

Client reviews

This is where you learn more about the human side of the collaboration. Is this editor very responsive? How do they deliver feedback? Some editors are blunt and direct, while others take a gentler, more encouraging approach. If you read a few reviews, you should be able to get a good sense of the person “behind the pen”.

Language specifications

This is easy to overlook, but it’s worth consideration. Many editors specify the dialect in which they’re most proficient (American vs British English, for example), and whether they’re comfortable with mixed-language dialogue, translated material, or localization. Make sure their language expertise aligns with your needs.

Certifications

While not required, certifications can be a helpful indicator of expertise, especially for copyediting and proofreading. A degree in English Literature or professional editing certifications show commitment to the craft. Still, don’t place too much stock in these — just treat them as helpful supporting evidence, rather than the deciding factor.

Once you’ve shortlisted a few editors who could be a good fit, it's time to reach out, share your book details, and figure out the logistics of working together.

4. Brief them on your book project

Whether you’re using a mediated platform or emailing directly, your goal is to make a great first impression while giving editors enough information to provide an accurate quote.

Introduce yourself and your book

Start with a brief, enthusiastic overview of your project. Share your main character’s journey, the central conflict, and anything that makes your book unique. Keep it concise but engaging; you want to give editors a compelling taste of what they'd be working on.

Highlight your connection to the material

If you have a personal or professional connection to your story, mention it. A lawyer writing a courtroom thriller or a marine biologist crafting an ocean-based sci-fi brings credibility that editors will notice.

If nothing biographical stands out, emphasize your deep knowledge of the genre and explain what gap in the market your book fills.

Show you understand your category

If you can, mention a few comparable titles that share your book’s tone, audience, or themes. This signals that you’ve done your homework and understand where your work fits in the market — something editors appreciate!

Include the practical details & a sample

Be clear about your genre, manuscript word count, the specific editing services you need, your budget range, and your ideal timeline. The more specific you are upfront, the more accurate the quotes you'll receive. 

Finally, attach your first chapter (or an excerpt of max 3,000 words) so editors can assess your writing style and see how their expertise aligns.

One of the advantages of using Reedsy over other platforms is that you can send one project brief to up to five editors at the same time, and compare quotes all in the same place. With most directories, you’ll need to contact editors individually, manage multiple email threads, and keep your own record of responses.

A note on sample edits

Some authors request sample edits to assess an editor’s style, but many experienced editors are too busy to provide them. More importantly, a small sample doesn't always reveal what it’s like to work with someone over the course of a full manuscript.

You’re better off evaluating editors through the criteria we’ve discussed (especially their reviews and portfolio). Do your research, then trust your judgment.

After several editors respond with their offers, you can compare and choose the best fit for your book.

5. Sign the contract and start the collaboration

Finally, it’s time to finally narrow down your options and select the perfect match. Here are a few more factors you should consider:

📝 Thoroughness: You can assess how thorough an editor is by the depth and scope of their reply. A response packed with thoughtful comments usually signals strong knowledge and enthusiasm for your project.

🗓️ Availability: Some editors may not be able to devote all of their time to your book right now. If your project is time-sensitive, try to find an editor ahead of finishing your manuscript.

💰 Cost: You’ll likely receive similar quotes, but if you have a limited budget, you may have to factor in small price differences. That said, if you’re really eager to work with a particular editor, talk to them about alternatives. 

🎯 Pro tip from Reedsy co-founder Ricardo Fayet: “Ask if you can make the payments in installments, or if there’s room to adjust the scope of work to lower the price. Someone you really want to work with usually really wants to work with you too.”

With everything lined up, you’re ready to hire your editor and kick off the collaboration.

Review the contract and payment system

In practical terms, this step usually involves signing a contract and arranging payment. Most professional editors will provide their own contract, but if they don’t, ask for one or supply your own to make sure you’re legally protected.

For bigger projects, paying in installments is standard practice. A common setup is 50% upfront and the remaining 50% on completion, which helps keep both parties accountable. But hiring directly remains a risk: you’re responsible for contracts, payment terms, and trust — there's no safety net if things go sideways. 

On platforms like Reedsy, you get an automatically generated contract (drafted by legal professionals), secure payment escrow, and built-in dispute resolution if anything goes wrong. Your payment is held until the work is delivered, protecting both sides.

The trade-off is that Reedsy charges a small commission (split between you and the editor), which adds about 10% to your cost compared to hiring directly. Think of it this way: Reedsy adds a bit of overhead for the convenience and safety it provides, whereas hiring directly might be slightly cheaper but requires a lot more due diligence.

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Remember, editors are incredibly valuable collaborators for both experienced and new writers, so choose yours carefully. To learn more about how much editing will cost you based on your genre and word count, head to the next post in this guide.