Hiring an editor is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your writing journey—but hiring the wrong editor, or hiring one too soon, can cost you both time and money.
Before you begin comparing editors or requesting quotes, take time to evaluate your manuscript and clarify your goals. Doing so will help you choose the right editing service, make the most of your investment, and build a productive relationship with your editor.
After more than 19 years of editing and coaching writers, I’ve found that the best editing relationships begin long before the manuscript is submitted. They begin when writers understand what they need, what they hope to accomplish, and how an editor can help them reach those goals.
Whether you’ve written a children’s book, cookbook, craft or how-to book, or another type of manuscript, asking the right questions before hiring an editor can save time, money, and frustration.
Who This Article Is For
Whether you’re writing a picture book, middle-grade novel, cookbook, craft or how-to book, or another nonfiction manuscript, these questions will help you decide when to hire an editor, what type of editing you need, and how to make the most of your investment.
Questions We’ll Answer
- Is my manuscript ready for professional editing?
- What type of editing do I actually need?
- Does the editor have experience with my type of book?
- Will I understand the feedback?
- Does the editor respect my voice?
- What happens after the edit is finished?
- What does the service include?
- What is the editor’s turnaround time?
- Will this help me become a better writer?
- Is My Manuscript Ready for Professional Editing?
The best time to hire an editor is after you’ve completed several rounds of thoughtful self-revision.
This is the first, and often the most overlooked, question.
Many writers finish their first draft and immediately begin looking for an editor.
Instead, ask yourself:
- Have I revised the manuscript several times?
- Have I read it aloud?
- Have I addressed obvious weaknesses?
- Have I received feedback from trusted readers?
The more revision you complete before hiring an editor, the more valuable professional feedback becomes.
If you’re unsure whether your manuscript is ready, a manuscript evaluation can help identify strengths, weaknesses, and the revisions that deserve your attention before moving to the next stage of editing.
- What Type of Editing Do I Actually Need?
Choosing the right type of editing depends on where your manuscript is in the writing process—not simply on if it’s finished.
Not every manuscript needs the same kind of editing.
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is paying for copyediting when the manuscript still has structural problems.
Ask yourself:
- Do I need feedback on story structure?
- Am I struggling with pacing?
- Does my organization make sense?
- Is my target audience clear?
If the answer is yes, developmental feedback or a manuscript evaluation may be a better investment than copyediting.
Grammar should usually be one of the last concerns, not the first.
- Does the Editor Have Experience With My Type of Book?
Editors who specialize in your genre understand the unique expectations of your readers.
Editing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Picture books, middle-grade novels, cookbooks, craft books, memoirs, and business books all present different challenges.
A picture book editor understands page turns, read-aloud rhythm, and age-appropriate language.
A cookbook editor looks for recipe consistency, organization, and clarity.
A craft or how-to editor evaluates whether readers can successfully follow instructions.
Ask prospective editors about their experience with manuscripts similar to yours.
- Will I Understand the Feedback?
Professional editing should teach as well as correct.
The purpose of editing isn’t simply finding mistakes.
It’s helping you improve your manuscript.
Ask yourself:
Will I receive comments that explain why changes are recommended?
Good editing should leave you with a stronger manuscript and a stronger understanding of your craft.
The goal isn’t simply correcting the manuscript.
It’s helping you write a better next manuscript, too.
- Does the Editor Respect My Voice?
A good editor strengthens your writing without changing your unique voice.
One concern I hear from writers is:
“I don’t want someone rewriting my book.”
Neither do I.
A good editor strengthens your writing without replacing your voice.
The best edits help readers experience your story clearly while preserving what makes your writing uniquely yours.
Not Sure Which Service Is Right for Your Manuscript?
If you’re uncertain whether your manuscript is ready for developmental editing, copyediting, or proofreading, a manuscript evaluation can help you determine the most effective next step.
Rather than making corrections alone, a manuscript evaluation provides an objective assessment of your manuscript’s strengths, identifies areas that need further development, and offers practical guidance for revision. Many writers find it saves both time and money by ensuring they invest in the right editing service at the right stage of the writing process.
- What Happens After the Edit Is Finished?
Professional editing should leave you with a clear plan for revision, not simply a marked-up manuscript.
Many writers focus only on receiving an edited manuscript.
Instead, ask:
- Will I know which revisions matter most?
- Will I understand why suggestions were made?
- Will I have a clear plan for revising?
Professional editing should give you direction, not just corrections.
- What Does the Service Include?
Editing services vary widely, so it’s important to understand exactly what you’ll receive.
Before hiring an editor, ask:
- Will I receive an editorial letter?
- Are comments included throughout the manuscript?
- Can I ask follow-up questions?
- What type of feedback should I expect?
Understanding exactly what you’ll receive helps ensure the service matches your expectations.
- What Is the Editor’s Turnaround Time?
Knowing an editor’s schedule helps you plan your revision and publishing timeline realistically.
Professional editors often book weeks, or even months. n advance.
Ask about:
- Current availability
- Estimated turnaround time
- Whether rush services are offered
- When you should reserve a place on the editor’s schedule
Be cautious of promises that seem unusually fast. Thorough editing takes time, and careful feedback is rarely rushed.
- Will This Help Me Become a Better Writer?
The best editors improve both your manuscript and your writing skills.
Perhaps the most important question isn’t about the manuscript at all.
It’s about you.
An effective editor doesn’t simply improve one book.
They help you recognize patterns, strengthen your writing skills, and approach future revisions with greater confidence.
That’s an investment that continues long after one project is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire an editor before beta readers?
Not necessarily. Beta readers can identify where they became confused or lost interest, while an editor explains why those problems occur and how to fix them. Many writers benefit from both at different stages of revision.
Is a manuscript evaluation the same as developmental editing?
Not exactly. A manuscript evaluation provides a detailed assessment and revision roadmap without editing every line. Developmental editing typically involves more in-depth, manuscript-wide editorial work.
Should I finish revising before hiring an editor?
Yes. Revise until you’ve addressed as many issues as possible on your own. Professional editing becomes more valuable after you’ve completed several rounds of self-revision.
How do I know if I’m hiring the right editor?
Look for an editor whose experience matches your type of manuscript, whose communication style fits your needs, and whose feedback helps you grow as a writer; not one who simply corrects a manuscript.
Related Articles
If you’re preparing your manuscript for editing, you may also find these articles helpful:
- What Is a Manuscript Evaluation? Why Writers Need One Before Editing
- Have You Revised Enough–Or Are You Stuck in a Revision Loop?
- What Are the Stages of a Manuscript? A Guide for Writers
- Why Understanding Your Audience Is the Key to Stronger Revision
- Beta Readers vs. Revision: What Beta Readers Can Tell You (and What They Can’t)
Final Thoughts
Hiring an editor isn’t simply about finding someone to correct mistakes.
It’s about finding the right guidance at the right stage of your writing journey.
The best editing relationships begin with thoughtful questions, realistic expectations, and a willingness to revise. By understanding your manuscript’s needs before investing in professional editing, you’ll be better prepared to make the most of the experience—and to produce the strongest book possible.
Great editing doesn’t simply produce a better manuscript. It helps writers understand their strengths, recognize recurring weaknesses, and approach future projects with greater confidence. That’s why I believe editing should strengthen the writer, not just the manuscript.
About the Author
Cassie Armstrong is the owner of MorningStar Editing LLC and has more than 19 years of professional editing experience. She specializes in manuscript evaluations, coaching, copyediting, and proofreading for children’s books, cookbooks, and craft/how-to books. Through her blog, she shares practical, experience-based editing advice that helps writers strengthen their manuscripts and grow as writers before publication.