Ever wonder why you should request a sample edit? How many editors should you send that sample edit to? What should you send the editor?
Then this post is for you.
What's the purpose of a sample edit?
First and foremost, it shows you what the editor can do with your work. What suggestions they may make and how they edit.
We all edit differently, so it helps to think of editing as half science, half art. We take the rules laid down by the grammar police and weave them into your story in a way that works best for your voice and style of writing.
Editors will also use the sample to determine if you are ready for an editor. Sometimes we get things that need to be reworked or tightened up and send it back without a sample. We are only trying to do what is best for your book.
A sample is how we determine our price. Most editors have a pricing scale and will use the sample to see how long the edit will take and how much work the manuscript needs and charge you appropriately.
It also gives editors a chance to see your work and decide if they want to work on the story. There are a number of reasons an editor may choose to not work on your book. And it likely has nothing to do with you. It could be they aren't interested in the story. They don't think their editing style will work with you. They also may suggest a different editor for you. They could also just not have the time. So try not to be upset if the editor declines the work.
How many editors should you send a sample to?
Reach out to at least 3 editors.
You want to get a wide range to see what works best for you.
Tell them the type of edit you want, ask for a copy of their contract, and their availability.
If a payment plan works best for your budget, ask if they offer it and what the terms are.
If there is something in the sample you are worried about, tell them and see what they do with it.
Ask any and all questions you might have. Their feedback and answers or lack of will help you make your decision.
What sample do you send us?
I like getting the section that is driving you bonkers. The section that just doesn’t feel right. But you can also just send the first few thousand words. There is no right or wrong section to send.
Just be sure to send us all the same sample and then compare them.
But most editors charged based on what you send.
So if you send a very rough first draft, your quoted price may be higher than if you were to send a clean and revised 3rd or 4th draft. Remember an editor can only do so much. Give us your best work.
Do NOT pay for a sample edit.
Any editor worth your time will do a 1,000 - 2,000 word sample for FREE. Most will only do 1,000, but there are a few of us who do 2,000. I like 2,000 because it gives us both more to work with.
The only edits you won't get a sample for are Developmental and Proofreading. They may have a sample of their work an author has allowed them to share, but these edits can't really shine in a small sample. You also won't likely get a Style Sheet with your Copy sample.
Most editors work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes. It lets us go in and change things around. Our suggestions will be in a different color and you can accept or reject the change.
Google Docs also has this feature as well. So if you use a Mac you can accept or change it there. It might work in Pages, but I'm not sure. I'm an android/pc girl!
Others use Google Docs and some might use PDF, but those are outliers.
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