How to Find the Right Copyeditor for Your Nonfiction Book

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If you’re wrapping up the writing portion of publishing your book, you’re probably wondering how to find the right copyeditor for your nonfiction book. Selecting the right copyeditor for your nonfiction book is a crucial step in the publishing process because you want to work with someone who has the appropriate skills, experience, personality, and price point for your project so that it runs smoothly. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process and find the perfect match for your needs.

Table of Contents

What Is Copyediting?

First you need to understand what copyediting is. What do copyeditors look for? Many new authors may think that copyediting and proofreading are interchangeable, but there is a difference. A copyeditor reviews your manuscript for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. They also focus on ensuring consistency in style and tone, improving sentence structure so that your message is clear, and checking for factual accuracy. Copyeditors look for issues such as redundancy, clarity, coherence, and overall readability. They ensure that your text adheres to a specific style guide like The Chicago Manual of Style, New Hart’s Rules, or The Associated Press Stylebook, for example.

Define What Service You Think You Need

Before you start looking for a copyeditor, it’s important to understand what level of service you require.

Has your manuscript been through any levels of editing yet? If your manuscript has not undergone any form of editing, you might need a developmental edit before you get your manuscript copyedited. If you’re worried that the writing is a little flat or wordy, you may want to work with a line editor first before you hire a copyeditor. Some editors offer line and copy editing together, and some treat it as two separate services. I break down the different levels of editing in this blog post if you’re not sure what the difference is.
Have you worked with a professional editor or just friends and family so far? You may be wondering whether you even need to work with an editor if you’ve already had friends and family read your manuscript. Feedback from friends and family is valuable, but professional editors bring a trained eye to your manuscript. If your previous feedback sources were not professional editors, consider hiring a professional copyeditor who will go through your manuscript with a fine-toothed comb and apply their up-to-date grammar and punctuation knowledge to weed out errors.

Start Your Search Early

Finding the right copyeditor can take time, so it’s wise to start your search well before you need the manuscript to be completed. Many copyeditors are booked out several months in advance, so if you have someone in particular in mind, it’s a good idea to reach out to them as early as you can.

Starting your search early gives you ample opportunity to research, compare options, and ensure you find a copyeditor who’s a good fit for your project and who can fit you in their schedule.

Search Online Directories

Online directories are a great resource for finding qualified copyeditors. Here are some reputable directories to consider:

Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA): The EFA is a well-known editing society where you can find experienced freelance editors. Its directory allows you to search by specific criteria, including type of editing and subject matter expertise.
Find a Proofreader: This directory offers a wide range of professional proofreaders and copyeditors. You can filter your search based on qualifications, location, and specialization.
ACES: The Society for Editing: ACES is a professional organization for editors. Its member directory is a good place to find editors with verified credentials.
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP): The CIEP is a UK-based organization with a global membership. Its directory includes editors who have met rigorous professional standards.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a valuable platform to search for copyeditors. You can check their professional backgrounds, endorsements, and recommendations from past clients.

Ask for Referrals

Have any of your author friends worked with a copyeditor before? Referrals from fellow authors can be incredibly helpful in your search. Personal recommendations from authors who have had positive experiences with copyeditors can point you toward reliable and skilled professionals.

Assess Their Qualifications

Evaluating the qualifications of potential copyeditors is essential. When researching potential copyeditors, look for the following information on their website, social media, or directory profiles.

Have they completed any training courses? Training courses from reputable institutions can indicate a solid foundation in editing principles and techniques. Editors who have invested in their editing education have shown that they take their profession seriously, and they know how to do the job to a high standard. I provide a list of my qualifications on my about page.
Are they a member of any editing societies? Membership in professional societies such as the EFA, ACES, Editors Canada, IPEd, AFEPI, or CIEP can indicate a commitment to ongoing professional development.
How many years have they been in business? Experience often correlates with expertise. Editors with several years of experience are likely to have refined their skills through working on numerous projects. That’s not to say you should discount newer editors. Newer editors may be a good fit if you have a small budget. They are also likely to take their time with your project because they want to impress.

Look for Testimonials and Portfolio

Reviews and past work can provide insight into an editor’s capabilities. When looking at endorsements from past clients, consider the following:

Does the copyeditor have experience working with the genre you write in? Experience with your specific genre ensures the editor understands the conventions and expectations of your target audience. If you write fiction novels, and the editor only edits nonfiction, it may be a waste of your time to contact them. Some editors may include a list of the genres they enjoy working with, and some also include a list of the genres they do not wish to edit, which can help you narrow down your search.
What kind of things do their previous clients say about them? Testimonials can reveal an editor’s strengths and weaknesses. Look for comments on their communication skills, thoroughness, and reliability.

Email Editors to Ask Questions

Initiating contact with potential editors helps you gauge their suitability. You can ask questions to see whether they’re a good fit for your project. Keep in mind that they will also want to ask you questions to see whether your project is a good fit for them as well. It works both ways!

Here are some questions you could ask a potential editor:

What types of projects/genres have you edited before? Use their response to determine whether they’re familiar with your genre.
How long have you been a professional editor? While you shouldn’t completely discount newer editors, the more experience the editor has, the more likely the process will run smoothly and professionally (usually).
Can you complete a short sample edit? Use the edited sample to assess their editing style and determine whether you’re a good fit for working together.
How soon could you return the edited document? Determine whether their estimated turnaround time fits in with your planned publication date.
How much will editing cost? Provide them with the word count (and preferably a copy of the manuscript) so they can assess how much editing will cost.
How many rounds of editing are included? Do you provide a style sheet? Make sure you’re clear on what’s included in the price.
How do you prefer to communicate with your clients? Make sure your communication styles match up (e.g., if you want phone calls, but they don’t offer them, you might not be a good fit for working together).

Asking your editor some questions before you hire them is wise for these reasons:

You can determine whether they’re a good fit personality-wise. Having a good working relationship with your editor is crucial. Try to gauge from your correspondence whether their personality and working style complement your own. For example, if you feel the need to have a phone call before you hire them or at the end of the project, ask them whether this is something they accommodate. Many editors don’t offer phone calls because they prefer to have a written record of everything or because phone calls give them anxiety. This doesn’t mean they’re not a good editor; it just means they may wish to communicate differently than you do. It’s important for both parties to communicate in the manner they feel comfortable.
You can see whether they respond promptly and answer your questions in detail. Prompt, clear communication is a good indicator of a professional editor. It also suggests they will be responsive and reliable throughout the editing process. While you can’t expect an editor to drop everything to answer your email within minutes, it’s reasonable to expect a response within twenty-four hours on a working day or longer over the weekend.

Request a Sample Edit

Some editors offer to do sample edits on a small portion of your manuscript so you can get a feel for their work. The sample edit may be free or cost a small fee, depending on the editor. The sample edit will help you assess their editing style and how well they understand your author voice and objectives. It also helps the editor assess how much work is needed so they can provide a quote and turnaround time. I’m happy to offer potential clients a free sample edit of up to 1,000 words from their book.

Be aware that many editors prefer to see the entire manuscript before they commit to editing your book as authors tend to self-edit the introduction and conclusion chapters really well, but they lose steam in the middle of the book. Looking at a chapter in the middle of the book gives the editor a better idea of the level of editing required.

Make Sure You’re Clear on the Terms of the Project

Before committing, ensure all terms are clearly defined in a contract or by email. This should include the scope of work, deadlines, payment terms, and any other relevant details. A clear contract or proposal protects both you and the editor and ensures a smooth working relationship.

If you’re not sure how the copyediting process usually goes, I wrote a blog post covering my tips for working with a copyeditor and laying out each step: before, during, and after the copyedit.

By following these steps, you can find a skilled copyeditor who will help elevate your nonfiction book, making it the best it can be. If you’d like to contact me for a quote and to make sure we’re a good fit for working together, reach out via my contact form.