4 Things Writers Should Consider When Asking for Developmental Editor Recommendations
Asking for recommendations from trusted authors is not a foolproof way to hire a developmental editor.
In most cases, it could work out for you and your manuscript.
However, every writer has priorities and expectations that could impact the experience.
This means it's critical to analyze the editor’s style and expertise.
Here are four things to consider when getting those personal recommendations.
Do You Mesh with the Developmental Editor?
Focus on how a fiction editor communicates with you before you hire them.
Their communication and editing style might have meshed with other writers, but it might not resonate with you.
Gauge your comfort level by analyzing their responses and feedback.
With each email or chat exchange, you might ask yourself:
Do you feel comfortable asking your editor questions?
How thoroughly do they explain things or answer your questions?
If you’re not meshing with your editor’s communication style, you might not feel comfortable asking them pertinent questions.
You risk spending more money on another round of editing when you aren’t satisfied with the results.
Not every editor provides sample edits for developmental edits. Finding one who does can help you analyze their editing style.
If they do, you might also consider these questions:
Are they encouraging? If so, does their encouragement meet your expectations?
Are they collaborative or trying to convert your story into their image?
Do they edit with empathy?
Do they only provide praise?
An editor who strongly encourages you might be a higher priority for you than your friend.
This is why it's imperative you receive at least three sample edits.
It'll allow you to compare which editor has the ideal balance of encouragement and empathy for your story.
The Fiction Editor Might Not Be Familiar with Your Genre
An editor specializing in your genre will be more familiar with the genre conventions.
They might also be more engaged in your story.
For instance, if you're writing dark romance, consider hiring an editor specializing in it. They're more likely to resonate and empathize with your story.
If they don’t specialize in the genre you’re writing, their feedback might reflect that.
You could risk hiring a fiction editor who doesn’t understand what you’re trying to accomplish.
Will Their Feedback Help You Revise
Your author friends might hire editors who identify areas that require improvement.
But if you’re a new writer, you might need more than an editor to pinpoint those problem areas.
A solution-focused editor gives you one or more potential solutions to big-picture issues. This feedback can help new writers brainstorm and revise their manuscripts.
What is the editor’s reputation?
You might think getting a good recommendation from an author friend is all you need to know about an editor’s reputation.
However, remaining cautious is the key to investing in the right editor.
It can help prevent wasting money on an editor with a negative reputation.
Use resources like Writer's Beware, online reviews, and social media to learn more about experiences from previous clients.
It's also essential to gather updated author recommendations. Finding out how those relationships evolved might influence your decision to hire them.
Conclusion
Save time and money by doing your due diligence even when you ask for developmental editor recommendations. Always get as much detail as your author friends are comfortable sharing, and don’t be afraid to ask the editors if they’re solution-focused.