How to Find the Best Professional Book Editing Companies for Your Manuscript

So, you've completed your manuscript. You've fought with plot turns, polished character development, and buffed your writing until your hands cramped. You've read it aloud, forced friends to read it, and perhaps even talked your pet goldfish into hearing it out. Now, gazing upon the completed manuscript, a worrying question arises: Is it really ready? Ready for agents? Ready for publishers? Ready for the discerning eyes of readers?

This is where professional book editing companies play magic. Imagine them as the literary world's unannounced heroes, the skilled artisans who take your rough-cut gem of a tale and cut it into a glittering, inescapable diamond. But with so many to choose from, how do you steer through the landscape to discover the perfect one for your singular manuscript?

Don't panic, you're not alone on this journey. This handbook is designed to help you select a professional book editing company confidently from the vast array of options, ensuring your manuscript receives the focus and professionalism it deserves.

Why Even Bother with Professional Book Editing Companies?

Before we get into the "how," let's take care of the "why" first, quickly. You may be thinking, "Can't I just proofread it myself? Or ask a friend?" Yes, a fresh set of eyes is always welcome, but professional book editing firms provide something whole different. They provide:

Objective Expertise: An editor is not emotionally attached to your tale the way you are. They are able to recognize weaknesses, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement that you, as the author, may be unaware of.

Specialized Skills: There are various forms of editing. Each demands a specific set of skills, ranging from large-scale structural changes to infinitesimal grammar fixes. Professional book editing services hire specialists in each of these fields.

Industry Expertise: Effective editors know about publishing conventions, reader needs, and what makes a manuscript stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Time-Efficient: Editing your own work may be extremely frustrating and time-consuming. Giving it to professional book editing services gives you the freedom to do what you're best at doing: writing!

In a way, spending on professional book editing services is not a cost; it's an investment in your career as an author and the success of your book.

Understanding the Different Types of Editing: A Key First Step

Before you begin even considering hiring professional book editing services, you must know what type of editing your manuscript requires. This is entirely vital because submitting a manuscript that requires a drastic structure rewrite to a proofreader is like requesting that a chef repair your car, they are both professionals, but in very different fields!

Here is a brief overview of the primary types of editing:

Developmental Editing (or Structural Editing): This is big-picture editing. A developmental editor is concerned with the overall story, plot, characterization, pacing, world-building, and theme.

Content Editing (or Line Editing): Once everything is set up, the next type of editor involved with content or line style digs into the actual prose from paragraph to paragraph, sentence by sentence, working on clarity, flow, tone, style, and word choice; for showing vs telling. They want to make sure your words engage, hit, and flow together.

Copyediting: Here, this phase is given to accuracy. A copyeditor scrutinizes for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, capitalization, consistent formatting (for instance, numbers, hyphenation), and facts. They ensure that your manuscript conforms to a particular style guide (for example, the Chicago Manual of Style).

Proofreading: Final quality check on a manuscript-the first proof-is usually in the final PDF stage of publication. A proofreader picks up any last typos, formatting errors, nasty little line breaks, or other unforeseen aberrations that got through the different editorial stages. The writing itself is not altered, rather ensuring that the published item would be as faultless as possible.

Your Action Step: Review your manuscript critically. Do you find overarching plot holes? Is your dialogue awkward? Or are you relatively sure of the story but concerned about those dreaded commas? Honesty about your manuscript's requirements will lead you to the proper type of editor and the best of the professional book editing firms.

Where to Start Your Search for Professional Book Editing Companies

Alright, you know what you need. Now, where do you begin searching?

Author Suggestions: Sign up for author forums, Facebook groups, or writing groups near you and inquire about suggestions. Other authors who have had success in publishing are a great resource for discovering reputable professional book editing businesses.

Professional Associations: Most editorial societies have lists of members. These societies are usually guided by codes of ethics and professional practices, which might provide a layer of screening. Check societies such as the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) in the US, Editors Canada, or the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SEP) in the UK.

Literary Publishers and Agents: Occasionally, an agent or publisher may suggest certain editors or professional book editing firms that they are familiar with. Although you may not have them at this point, it's helpful to have them on hand for future reference.

Online Search Engines: A simple Google search for "professional book editing companies + [your genre]" or "freelance book editor + [your genre]" can yield many results. However, proceed with caution and thorough vetting.

Freelance Platforms: Upwork or Fiverr sites also post editors, but it's important to be particularly careful with your research here. Good quality is available, but the quantity is so high that it's highly unlikely you'll find someone who is truly book-oriented.

Vetting Professional Book Editing Companies

Once you have a shortlist of possible professional book editing agencies or freelance editors, it's time to become a detective. It's not a hasty decision to make!

Professionalism: Does their site appear professional and tidy? Is the content understandable and concise?

Services Offered: Do they make it clear what kinds of editing they offer? Do those match your requirements?

Experience & Expertise: Search for bios mentioning their experience, especially in your genre. Editing a science fiction epic is quite different from editing a cozy mystery! Most professional book editing businesses will have editors with specializations in different genres.

Testimonials/Client Reviews: What do other writers say about them? Check for specific feedback regarding their editing style, communication, and effect on the manuscript.

Request a Sample Edit: This is perhaps the single most important step. Any reputable editor or professional book editing company will offer a free or low-cost sample edit of a short section of your manuscript (usually 1,000-2,000 words).

What to Look For

Clarity of Feedback: Is their feedback easy to understand? Do they explain why they suggest changes, not just what to change?

Editing Style: Did their style speak to you? Some editors are blunt, some soft. You need someone whose style will mesh with yours.

Quality: Did they find errors you'd overlooked? Were their changes an improvement on your writing without altering your voice?

Communication: Did they get back to you in a timely fashion? Were they transparent about the process?

Request References (Optional but Highly Recommended): Feel free to request references from previous clients, particularly for developmental or major line editing. A good editor should be more than willing to supply them.

Request Pricing and Turnaround Time

Transparent Pricing: Do they have transparent pricing structures (word, hour, or project-based)? Watch out for editors who cannot be transparent about their costs.

Quotes: Request a breakdown of the quote based on your manuscript word count and the work needed.

Turnaround Time: How long will editing take? Does it fit your publication schedule? Keep in mind that quality editing doesn't happen overnight. Very quick turnaround times can sometimes be a warning sign. Plan on several weeks for a good edit of a novel-sized manuscript.

Understand the Contract: When you choose to proceed, make sure you get and read carefully the contract. This should specifically state:

• Services to be performed (type of editing, scope)
• Cost and payment structure
• Turnaround time
• What happens if either of you wants to end the agreement
• Confidentiality clauses
• Revision policies (e.g., will they do a second pass after you've made revisions?)

What to Discuss During Your Initial Consultation

Once you've narrowed down your options to a couple of promising professional book editing companies or solo editors, arrange a call or video meeting. This is your opportunity to sense their personality and style.

Your Vision for the Book: Describe your intentions for the manuscript, who your intended audience is, and anything you're concerned about.

Their Process: Request that they outline their editing process from beginning to end.

Communication Style: How do they like to communicate with clients? (Email, phone, particular software?)

Genre Expertise: State your genre again and inquire about their experience working on similar books. Look for the services according to your genre.

Questions for Them: Prepare a list of questions. Don't hesitate to ask about something that is bothering you!

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Though most professional book editing companies are legitimate, some warning signs can assist you in avoiding trouble:

Unrealistic Promises: "We guarantee your book will be a bestseller!" No editor can make this promise.

Extremely Low Prices: Quality editing is a professional job. If something appears too cheap to be true, then it likely is.

No Sample Edit Provided: An enormous red flag. Always request a sample.

Communication Issues: Delayed replies, evasive responses, or professional jargon prior to your even hiring them.

Aggressive Sales Methods: An editor must advise and teach, not try to push you around.

Requesting Full Payment Upfront: Legitimate professional book editing businesses will request a deposit, but be wary if they insist on 100% of the payment upfront before commencing work.

Developing a Partnership and Collaboration with Your Editor

Selecting an editor is merely the first step. The editing process is a partnership, a collaboration between you and your selected professional book editing businesses.

Be Open to Feedback: This can be one of the most challenging things to do! Remember: the editor is on your team, and any suggestions will ultimately serve to better your work rather than to criticize you. Doubts? Questions! If you ever don't understand a comment or a suggestion for change, ask for clarification.

Do Not Be Afraid to Disagree Politely: Be open to comments, but in the end, you have the ultimate voice regarding your manuscript. If there is an idea you really hate that an editor suggests, explain why it is not a fit for your intent. Good editors know how to respect the author's voice.

Keep Them in the Loop: let your editor know about changes to your timeline or a shift in your thinking about a certain aspect.

Bottom Line

You have done ample research up to the time of actually selecting an appropriate professional book editing company for your manuscript's publication. An edited book is a confident book. It is a book that respects its readers, is noticed by agents and publishers alike, and stands a much greater chance of success, ultimately fulfilling your dreams.

Remember, the target here is not only to eradicate errors; instead, it's to elevate your story to a new level, make your voice resonate, and convey your point clearly and effectively. Thanks to the right professional book editing companies, your dream of becoming an author is just a step away.