Should You Hire a Professional Editor for Your Manuscript?

New writers who have had little or no publishing history often seek the guidance of professional editors in their quest for publication. Sometimes this works out for the better, while it can also be detrimental to your manuscript. Before you hand your prized work over to a stranger, make sure to research his or her background and to make sure that the editor is as professional as he or she claims to be.

First of all, hiring a professional editor for your manuscript can be expensive. Most editors charge between $0.02 and $0.08 per word for line editing, adding a couple of extra cents for more substantive editing. For an 80,000-word manuscript, you're looking at spending between $1,600 and $6,400 for the editor to work on your book, which can certainly take a chunk out of your bank account.

However, if you feel that your grammar or storytelling abilities are lacking, then you might benefit from the counsel of a professional editor. He or she can clean up the areas that might be awkward or incoherent, which will greatly improve your chances for publication. Some editors will even offer a detailed critique of your work along with the edits so you can understand what was done.

Another thing you need to consider when deciding whether or not to hire a professional editor for a manuscript is your own personal style and voice. Each writer composes sentences a little bit differently, and if the editor decides to make copious changes, it could interfere with the rhythm of your writing. Some professional editors are experienced enough that they can adapt to your voice and style, but most are not quite that savvy.

I would also recommend examining your reasons for wanting a professional editor to review your manuscript. Are you uncomfortable with your abilities as a writer? Have you received numerous rejections from a publisher or agent? Are you capable of writing professionally?