The right editor for your book is someone with real experience in your genre or type of writing, a clear sample edit that shows their style matches what you need, and transparent terms about scope, timeline, and price before you commit. Credentials and price both matter less than whether the editor is actually a good fit for this manuscript.
This is part of the Complete Guide to Book Editing.
Before you start comparing editors, know which type of editing you need: developmental, line, copy, or proofreading. See Types of Editing Explained. An editor who specializes in line editing isn't the right choice for a manuscript that needs structural work, and vice versa. If you're not sure, ask a prospective editor to weigh in after reading a sample; many will tell you honestly if a different type of editing would serve you better.
Genre or category experience. An editor who regularly works in your genre understands its conventions and what readers expect. A romance editor and a technical nonfiction editor bring different instincts.
A sample edit. Most reputable editors will edit a short sample, often a few pages, so you can see their style and approach before committing to the full manuscript. This is the single best way to evaluate fit.
References or past work. Testimonials, a portfolio, or examples of books they've worked on (with permission to share) give you a sense of their track record.
Clear communication about scope. A good editor tells you upfront what's included: how many passes, whether they'll answer follow-up questions, whether a second look after revisions is included.
A realistic timeline. Be wary of promises that seem too fast for the amount of work involved, especially for developmental editing on a long manuscript.
Don't compare editors on price alone. A lower rate might reflect less experience, a narrower scope (one pass instead of two), or a faster, less thorough process. Ask exactly what each quote includes, and weigh that against the sample edit each editor provides. See How Much Does Book Editing Cost? for typical industry ranges to sense-check any quote against.
An editing service, like Entrada Publishing, typically has a team covering multiple types of editing, which can simplify things if your manuscript needs more than one pass. An independent freelancer may specialize more narrowly and can offer a more personal, ongoing relationship if you're working on a series or multiple books. Neither is inherently better; it depends on what you need and how you prefer to work.
Once you've picked an editor, agree in writing on scope, price, timeline, and what happens if revisions are needed. A little clarity upfront avoids most disagreements later.
Talk to Our Editing Team
Entrada Publishing's editors work across developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Email us with your manuscript's genre and length, and we'll help you figure out the right fit and next steps.
Yes. A sample edit, usually a few pages, is the clearest way to see whether an editor's style and approach fit your manuscript, before you commit to the full project.
Not necessarily. Price reflects experience, specialization, and scope, but a higher price doesn't guarantee a better fit for your specific manuscript. Compare what's included, not just the number.
Ask directly, and look for examples of books they've edited in your category. An editor without direct genre experience isn't automatically wrong for you, but it's worth factoring in.
Scope of work, price, timeline, what's included (number of passes, follow-up questions), and what happens if you need revisions afterward.