A free sample edit is essential for evaluating an editor’s skills, expertise and style. It provides a chance for the client to understand the editor’s approach and assess whether they are the right fit for the manuscript, publishing timeline, and budget. Additionally, it helps to determine the appropriate level of editing required for the manuscript, thus saving time and money.
Finding the right editor for your manuscript might seem like a hurdled marathon, but asking the shortlisted candidates for a sample edit will bring the finish line closer. Most editors provide a 500 to 1,000–word sample edit for free, which is essential for numerous reasons. It will allow the editor to understand your manuscript, assess the level of editorial intervention required, and provide an accurate time and cost quote based on the sample edit. This is a perfect opportunity for you, the client, to get to know the editor’s approach and evaluate if their expertise, experience and skill set is the right mix for your manuscript, publishing timeline and budget. Thus, this post will discuss using the free sample edit as an evaluation tool to help you find the right editor.
How can the free sample edit be used to evaluate the editor’s skills and style?
A free sample edit is vital in the process of hiring an editor. It showcases the editor’s skills and expertise and demonstrates the value they will contribute to the project. For the sample edit to be a successful evaluation tool in this process, you should remember the following points.
Provide a brief
The editing brief should define what you think the manuscript needs and why you are looking for an editor. For instance, this could be very specific, like flagging issues with missing segues or inconsistent point of view. You could also state more broadly that you need an editing service, such as developmental editing or copyediting.
Developmental editing
Developmental editing focuses on the manuscript’s overall structure, including plot, character development, pacing and tone. The editor will provide feedback on how to improve the manuscript’s content and organisation. This type of editing is suitable for authors who have completed a first draft but require assistance refining their manuscript.
Line editing
Line editing focuses on the language and style of the manuscript, including sentence structure, word choice, and flow. The editor will enhance the manuscript’s clarity and readability while preserving the author’s voice. This type of editing is ideal for authors with a polished manuscript who require assistance refining their language and style.
Copyediting
Copyediting is a more detailed form of line editing that focuses on correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. The editor will also ensure that the manuscript adheres to the publisher’s style guide and that there are no inconsistencies. This type of editing is suitable for authors who require assistance in polishing the language and ensuring consistency.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of editing and focuses on identifying and correcting any remaining errors in the manuscript. The editor will check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, as well as formatting and layout issues. This type of editing is suitable for authors who have a final manuscript but require a final check before publishing.
Knowing which editing service your manuscript requires can help you choose the right editor for your project. Additionally, it can save you time and money by ensuring you receive the appropriate level of editing for your manuscript.
A good editor will focus on the brief but may also indicate other issues they noticed in the manuscript. However, if the sample edit does not meet the brief and the editor cannot justify it, they either did not understand what you requested or did not have sufficient skills and expertise to deliver it.
Ask for an the explanation
One of the important rules of professional editing is for the editor to be able to justify every change they introduce in the manuscript. Whether dictated by the language localisation conventions, style guide advice, dictionary rule or industry practice, they must be able to explain the reasoning behind their work. If the editor has no answer to support their intervention, they may lack knowledge or editing experience.
How can the free sample edit be used to assess the compatibility, communication and timely delivery?
Analyse comments and feedback
Editors do not usually rewrite content when providing light-touch editing services, such as copyediting and proofreading. Still, they may leave some suggestions or flag issues when language is inappropriate for the target readers. Analyse how they convey these comments: they should be polite and recommending rather than authoritative. For instance, if the editor mentions how the readers may receive certain words or phrases or flag that some interpretations may not align with your intended meaning. These are helpful and relevant notes. If they use vague statements (‘This is bad’) or orders (‘Change this’), their feedback may not be specific enough to be useful.
Compare the estimated and the actual delivery time
A free sample edit is a chance to understand the editor’s time management skills. If they said the sample edit would take them two working days, but they delivered it a week later, then their communication and time management may be a problem. Furthermore, it may indicate potential delays if you decide to work with them. Even if unforeseen circumstances happen and they cannot deliver the sample edit on time, they should contact you and explain the new timeline.
How to use the free sample edit to consider the quoted cost and turnover time
Balance your budget and their rates
You should communicate your budget to avoid wasting time if the editor’s rates exceed your budget. However, the free sample edit will give the editor an idea of what work the manuscript requires. On this basis, they will provide an accurate time and cost estimation for the entire manuscript. This precise quote is the final benchmark for you to consider: can you afford to work with this editor?
Editing may appear expensive, but it adds value to the project. Messy language and mistakes, plot holes or unsupported argument may discourage the publishers and readers and prevent your publishing success. Professional editors can justify their rates with years spent building expertise and skills.
Confirm the turnover time
The free sample edit will allow the editor to estimate how long it will take to edit the text and how this project fits their schedule. On the other hand, you need to decide if their turnover time works for your project timeline. Remember that publishing a book is a multi-stage process. Therefore, you should always consider how editing will affect other tasks, such as typesetting or indexing. The sample edit helps you avoid situations where the editor is unavailable or will take longer than the time you dedicate to editing your publishing schedule.
Conclusion
A free sample edit gives you an ideal opportunity to decide on hiring a particular editor. It requires zero financial investment, presents zero risk to your publishing project and generates benefits. A free sample edit will help you determine if the editor’s approach, expertise, communication, estimated time and cost are all the right fit.
So do not hesitate to ask an editor for a free sample edit when ready to take your manuscript to the next level. Request a free sample edit from me or use my early bird discount for editing in the coming months. If you want to hear more from me, including self-editing and writing tips, follow me on Mastodon, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or join my newsletter.
