Book coaches
Book coaches help you get out of your own way. They stand beside you through every twist and turn, from first draft to polished manuscript ready for publication. Some coaches, like myself, also walk authors through the many steps of self-publication and offer marketing strategies.
They help you overcome imposter syndrome, set goals, teach writing and revision techniques, and more. Think of them as your personal MFA professor.
Developmental editors
Developmental editors are like architects; they look at the big picture, helping with a story's overall structure and addressing any issues with plot holes, character arcs, the timeline, and story flow from start to finish.
They don't mark up the document itself; instead, they usually send you a 2-page letter with notes highlighting your story’s biggest issues. Never underestimate the value of a developmental editor.
Beta readers
Some authors on a tighter budget prefer to use beta reads instead. If you go this route, make sure your beta readers are very familiar with your genre. Why? Because doctors don’t ask electricians for advice when in the operating room. You don’t want the primary advice for your fantasy novel to come from someone who reads only thrillers.
With beta readers, also watch out for opinion-based feedback, such as “I didn’t like this scene” or “I wanted X to happen instead.” A developmental editor might notice an issue with the same scene, but their feedback would explain why it doesn’t align with your original goal or why the character’s reaction doesn’t match their established personality and how you might fix both.
Line editors
Line editors and copyeditors are the carpenters; we help you build stronger walls by making sentence-level edits within the document using Track Changes. Overall, we look for flow, consistency, grammar, and word choice. We also ask questions to help writers clarify their ideas.
Unlike copyeditors, a line editor should also identify the goal or purpose for each chapter and note which paragraphs support that goal. We might offer suggestions on ways the author can expand upon that idea and go deeper. Likewise, line editors note which paragraphs might distract from the chapter's goal and suggest cutting, reducing, or saving that portion for another time.
Proofreaders
The proofreader is the judge and your last line of defense. Right before you hit publish, they check your final manuscript for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Resist the urge to rewrite sentences after your proofreader returns your document; doing so increases the likelihood of introducing new errors to your published book.
Cost and safety
Your next question is probably how much does an editor or coach cost? For fiction, the Editorial Freelancers Association recommends a general rate of 3–4¢ per word for developmental edits, 2.5–4¢ per word for line edits, and 1.2–2¢ per word for proofreading. Keep in mind, these rates vary based on levels of experience and educational background.
Also, don’t assume your editor or coach will do everything listed in this article. When you speak with them before agreeing to a contract, ask them questions like:
- What type of feedback do you provide?
- How do you mark up changes? When do you leave comments in the document?
- Do you make suggestions about what to cut or expand? How do you make those decisions?
- Do you include in your fee a follow-up virtual meeting in case I have questions about your suggestions?
Last, don’t be afraid to ask for a sample edit. Hiring professionals is an investment, so make sure you’re getting a great one who meshes with you and understands your goals.
