Yikes! I really need an editor. But where in the world can I find one?”

Ever been in that situation?

Here you were thinking that the writing would be the hardest part of any project. After all, writing requires determination, commitment and time, lots of time.

You spent months, maybe even years, writing your manuscript or dissertation. And at long last, you’ve finished it. Woo hoo! Time to celebrate. Except….

…Except now you need an editor and you don’t know where to turn. You Google the word “editor” and you get links to all sorts of editing programs, most of them related to photo and video editing. Nope. Not remotely what you were looking for.

Then, after hours of searching, when you eventually find a real live editor who works with words, she uses all sorts of terms that mean nothing to you. Do you need a developmental edit? Or a line edit? Or a copy edit? And she wants to charge by the hour. Is that even safe?

How much is an editor going to cost?

You feel trapped and confused. You’re beginning to think you should just close your eyes and say, “go ahead, no matter what the cost.” Or maybe you’re considering giving up because you think it’s just not worth the effort and expense of hiring an editor.

There’s another way

Fortunately, there’s a way out of the “this-is-way-too-confusing” trap.

A way that makes it easy to find the right editor and get a better deal from them.

The secret lies in knowing how editors think.

Editors are not nuclear physicists and it’s pretty easy to figure them out — if you know what you’re looking for.

Once you learn how editors actually work, and where to find them, your whole attitude towards professional editing will change.

You’ll be able to find multiple editors who can help you. You’ll be able to ask them knowledgeable questions that will mark you as an authority. And from there you’ll be able to choose the best of the bunch.

The best part, once you start working with your best editor, you’ll understand how to read and respond to their comments in a way that will allow you to form a valuable partnership with them. And, as everyone knows, you get way more value from partners than you do from contractors.

Over the next few weeks I would love to teach you, step by step, how to set up this process.

I’m talking about detailed, nuts-and-bolts and “how-to” information. Best of all, you’ll get what you need quickly (I realize you’re already short on time!),  in nine, easy-to-digest lessons.

I’m going to tell you more about this new opportunity in a minute. But first, here’s what it takes to hire a good editor…

What you need in an editor

First, don’t start with their qualifications. Start by finding someone you like and respect. Yes, they must be professionals, but they also must be people you enjoy spending time with. After all, you’re going to be sharing your writing with them and inviting criticism. If you don’t like the person, it’s going to be very hard to accept what they want you to do.

Next, understand the type of editing you’re seeking. Did you know there are five different kinds? And they all come with different price points. Understanding exactly what kind of editing you need is critical.

Then, check references. Hiring an editor is awfully similar to hiring a home contractor or someone to fix your car. You don’t want to choose any old person. You want to pick someone with a good track record. I cover all this and much more in my new program, How to Hire an Editor.

How this program will help you

You’re going to learn how to find — and hire — the best editor for your project, getting the highest possible value for your budget. Sure, you could spend several hours on the internet researching how to hire an editor. But how would you know if what you found was trustworthy? The tips and recommended steps might come from someone who’s simply trying to sell their own services to you.

How do I know this? I’ve been a professional editor since 1984. I no longer edit books or manuscripts myself — so I have no skin in the game — but I understand from years of practice how the process works.

I’ve already reviewed what the internet has to say about hiring editors. And here’s what I can tell you: most of the search results will point you to the low-cost editors rather than the best-value editors.

And you know what they say about low-cost work: You get what you pay for…

This program isn’t for anyone looking for the cheapest way out. Instead, it’s a good fit for anyone with a finished piece of writing — a book, thesis, dissertation or report — who wants to save money, and get good value for it.

Here’s a quick overview of what this fast-track course involves

This course is presented in three forms: video, audio and print. I strongly encourage you to use all three so that you get the maximum value. There are nine lessons, covering every aspect of what you need to learn to hire a good editor. And, because I understand you may be under deadline when you see this, I’ve designed it in a way that enables you to get what you need, quickly. The whole course can be completed in less than two hours. Here’s a rundown:

Lesson 1

Why you should use beta readers. This lesson discusses who they are, how you can use them and why you should let them help you save some money on editing.

Lesson 2

How to know when you’re ready for editing. Think about it – it doesn’t make sense to hire an editor before you’ve done the groundwork, first.

Lesson 3

The five different types of editors. Many people think of editing as just one type of work – kind of like being a cake decorator. Instead, being an editor is much more like being a doctor – not just because editors fix things, but also because there are different types for different kinds of problems or needs. This lesson also comes with a flow chart, spelling out the type of editing five different categories of writers will need.

Lesson 4

Where to find an editor. There are hundreds if not thousands of editors in every major city but they can be surprisingly hard to find. Let me give you the tricks, techniques and — most importantly — some specific URLs you can use to seek them out. I don’t recommend Fivrr or Upwork. People listed there don’t always have the right qualifications.

Lesson 5

How to choose an editor. OK so you have a list of editors. How do you go about picking the best one? Lesson 5 will give you a list of specific questions to ask.

Lesson 6

The cost of hiring an editor. Everything eventually comes down to dollars, doesn’t it? I’ll be telling you how much you should expect to pay for each of the different types of editing.

Lesson 7

How to tolerate editing. I won’t lie – getting edited can be difficult for some people. Let me give you the best advice possible on to how to reduce the pain.

Lesson 8

Why you should insist on a contract with an editor. I know contracts are scary but this lesson features an interview with a lawyer who talks you through the dos and don’ts of having a contract.

Lesson 9

An interview with my own editor. I’ve been a writer and editor for more than 40 years and I’ve had the same editor for the last 15. (Yes, all professional writers also have an editor!) I wrap up this course in a discussion with her so you can get a better sense of how editors really think.

doug

Doug Hedlund

Santa Monica, CA
Here's my take on three especially helpful recommendations from Daphne’s course about how to hire an editor: (1) Editorial competence is of course a must—but so is a good fit with your sensibilities and personality. (2) Developmental editors, in particular, are expensive so make sure you’re ready to eat reality sandwiches. (3) Be sure to follow the basic steps of "hiring-anybody 101.
kaat

Kaat Vrancken

Bree, Belgium
This webinar really opened my eyes: I learned that you can hire different professionals for different types of editing. I also got much more information than just about editing. For example: the pros & cons of beta readers, what to do before hiring an editor and how to deal with negative comments. I don't think I've ever seen so much knowledge and experience condensed into one webinar. An absolute must for writers who want to publish and even for writers who have already published.
sue

Sue Dvorak

Vancouver, B.C.
When searching for information on editing your work, you will quickly discover what I did: the more you dig, the more confused you become! Terms which seem interchangeable are not, words appearing distinct mean the same thing, and ‘what comes first’ becomes muddier by the article. But Daphne’s ‘How To Hire An Editor’ course sorts it all out. The lessons methodically illuminate not only the terms themselves, but the processes they require, and when those processes are needed. The editing flow chart alone is worth the price of the course.

Regardless of which version you buy, you get:

Daphne’s 100% money-back guarantee
If, after getting your purchase, you feel you have not received your money’s worth, simply return the materials to Daphne and you’ll get your money back, no questions asked. This guarantee is valid for one full year from your date of purchase.

How to hire an editor

$69

Here’s what you get:

Canadians will be charged in CDN dollars if their ISP is in Canada

I’ve seen how hiring the wrong editor can lead to heartache, wasted effort and huge expense. Don’t fall victim to this type of mistake. Learn NOW to learn how to find the right editor. Use this highly focused, practical course to help save you money and make your writing more successful. 

Scroll to Top