What is the Typical Process for Hiring a Developmental Editor for a Romance Novel?
Do you have a romance manuscript that’s ready for a developmental edit?
The process for hiring a developmental editor might feel overwhelming for first-time writers.
I’m here to walk you through the process of hiring a developmental editor specializing in romance.
Identify Your Romance Sub-genre
Identifying your romance sub-genre before you start the developmental editor search can be ideal, because you can narrow down your search to editors who are more experienced in a specific romance sub-genre.
For example, I’m a developmental editor specializing in dark fantasy romance and MM romances.
If you have a dark MM fantasy romance, then I might be on your list of potential developmental editors. This is because I’m familiar with working on other dark MM fantasy romances.
I know the romance conventions of dark and MM romances, which is why I provide valuable feedback as a professionally trained developmental editor and reader.
But what if you don’t know your romance sub-genre?
Whether you’re uncertain about what sub-genre your romance manuscript falls under, or you’re overwhelmed with too many options, that’s okay too. This is why having an honest conversation with potential developmental editors can beneficial.
They can help identify those sub-genres in a developmental edit, or they could help refer you to someone who might be a more suitable fit. For example, if an editor doesn’t work with sexually explicit material, they might refer you to other reputable editors they know who accept that type of content.
Identify Your Top 3 Priorities in a Developmental Editor
Before you officially start your editor search, write down top 3 priorities in a developmental editor.
Does the developmental editor’s specialization matter to you? Hiring an editor specializing in romance can help identify genre convention issues. For example, if you hire an editor specializing in mystery, they might not be familiar with the romance genre conventions and their intuition might be off on what your vision of the story is meant to be.
Therefore, hiring an editor specializing in romance can help prevent publishing a romance story with no compatibility between the romantic interests.
Should your budget be a major priority? If you’ve calculated you only have $700 to invest in the developmental editing stage of your first book, searching for an editor who offers payment installment plans might be one of your main priorities.
Therefore, your top three editors you get a sample edit or discovery call from should offer this option.
Or you might prioritize editors who offer light developmental editing or manuscript evaluations since those can help you get more affordable big-picture feedback that works for you and the editor.
Should your editor specialize in gentle editing? Some editors are experienced with working with writers who need more encouragement. The writers might be dealing with severe self-doubt or have had other negative experiences with writing or editing. Therefore, finding an editor who provides gentle editing feedback might be another factor that helps you determine who to hire.
Sample Edits or Discovery Calls
Sample edits or discovery calls can be great ways to test out how an editor will approach working with you and your project.
Developmental editing can be challenging to get accurate feedback from an editor since the sample edit is often on 1,000 - 1,500 words. It can be difficult to get a clear understanding on how that small section impacts the overall story. Therefore, most editors resort to free discovery calls or a short overview of what their feedback might look like.
With my paid sample edits, I go a little deeper into the analysis by reading the first two chapters.
For example, here are a few things I might analyze in a sample edit:
✔ Does the story start in a compelling way?
✔ Is there a strong hook?
✔ Are there any drifting-off moments?
✔ Does the audience get a sense of the main characters?
✔ Insight on why the prologue isn’t working (if your story has one).
Learn more about my sample edits in my editorial services section.
Comparing & Interviewing Developmental Editors
After you receive the sample edit, you can compare two or three to figure out which one resonates with your vision of the story, your budget (if a priority), and their communication and editorial style.
The editor’s communication style is very important to consider since an editor who is patient and eager to answer interview questions can be the collaborator you’re searching for. This is where receiving or investing a sample edit and interviewing your editor can help you determine how you mesh with one another.
Here are a few questions to consider asking a developmental editor:
What deliverables will I receive with this developmental edit?
In my proposal, I always highlight the specific deliverables and scope of work each package will cover. Therefore, always ensure you get clarity on what you receive from each editor you interview.
Every developmental editor will have their own scope of work, deliverables, and support for the revision process.
For example, my unlimited communication for one month and free manuscript reviews (after the writer implements developmental editing feedback) are two of my most popular revision services after the developmental edit is sent back to the client.
Do you have a Letter of Agreement (contract) with every client?
One of the most important things to consider before hiring a developmental editor is to ask how they work with other clients in the past. If they don’t use contracts with other clients, this could be a sign of a red flag since most editors use contracts for every service (even for pro bono services).
I also suggest you read the contract carefully since most of my contracts will stipulate how rescheduling works or how I add projects to my portfolio section. Every editor will arrange things in their contract differently, so reading the fine print can allow you to get to know your editor and how your relationship going forward might be like.
For example, in my contract, I always highlight how the final invoice works. Unless stipulated otherwise, the deliverables are sent to the client until the final invoice is paid. However, I always provide proof of completion with screen shots of the completed work to show that the work is finished.
I also have an AI clause in my contract.
Do you use AI in any of your editing?
This is another question that a lot of writers will be more concerned about as scammers use AI in editing writer’s precious manuscripts. NO! This won’t happen at Midnight Devotion Editing since I never use AI to provide manuscript markups, write the editorial letter, or create a basic or elaborate book scene map.
Always ask to see how your potential editor responds with this question.
Do you provide payment installment plans?
Editors need to eat, pay their rent/mortgage, and invest in retirement and expensive healthcare. Therefore, not every editor offers various payment installment plans.
Fortunately, I offer unique and customizable payment installment plans for clients on a specific budget. Asking about an editor’s installment plans before you hire them is ideal since one editor might be more flexible with payments than another one. Find out how their plans work to see which ones fit your budget and project needs.
Other questions you might consider when you’re still stuck on which editor to choose:
Were they patient with answering your questions?
Did they provide ample examples of identifying potential big-picture issues in the sample? Did they provide potential solutions?
Did they display understanding in any or all of your concerns?
How did they explain their specialization and/or editing experience?
Letter of Agreements & First Invoices
Once you’ve locked on an editor, make sure you’re officially booked into their schedule.
For example, after a client signs the contract and sends me the first invoice payment, they’re locked in.
I use HoneyBook to arrange and organize my contracts, so all my clients have to do is review the contract, fill in author 1 - 3 author goals (if they haven’t told me beforehand), and sign the contract.
Once I sign the HoneyBook contract, I send the first invoice (unless it’s sent via HoneyBook).
Consider reaching out to a developmental editor specializing in romance today to learn more about their developmental editing hiring process. You can check my editing and hiring process on my Process page, but you can also reach out for a free discovery email chat!
While my sample edits are now paid, I’m always available for short and sweet questions about my process, editorial services, or payment plans.