Is My Book Ready?

One of the most important questions I’ve encountered from emerging authors is: “How do I know if my book is ready for an editor?” It’s not a matter of hitting a specific word count or having x number of beta readers review it.

Without going into the different types of editing, assume here that I’m discussing the need for an editor (of any variety) vs. a book coach or manuscript evaluator.

Your Book Is Written
Needing a book to be written seems like common sense, but plenty of people reach out to editors when they’re still working on a section or two (or three or four). You might think that the editor will just work on what you have and move on when you have more. This is actually a better fit for a book coach.

Imagine paying for someone to edit a chapter to perfection only for you to later realize (since you’re still writing the book) that you’re not going to use that chapter after all, or you need to change it. All of that time and money, and now they’ll have to edit it again.

A book coach, on the other hand, isn’t scanning your work for every misplaced comma or reworking sentences. They take your work as it comes (once a week/month/fortnight) and read it for things a casual reader might notice. That’s not everything a book coach does, of course, but if you’re still writing your book, it’s not time to find an editor.

You’re Emotionally Prepared
Okay, I know this may sound silly, but you can’t discount the difficulty of surrendering your project to someone else’s eyes. An editor isn’t a friend or family member; they won’t spare your feelings. Not that your editor will be mean, but their job is to give unbiased feedback and suggestions based solely on your text, not you. If you’re not ready, receiving a manuscript full of comment bubbles or red lines and pages of detailed feedback can be overwhelming or, worse, discouraging.

I generally recommend having someone else read your book first, especially if you’ve never published before. Your mom or friend might not provide the same level of feedback as an industry professional, but they’ll (hopefully) be kind and encourage you. The more people you allow to read your work, the easier it becomes to work with an editor. Even if you haven’t finished writing your novel, start sharing bits with people so that when you are finished, you’ll be prepared.

Another aspect is confidence in your book. It’s totally normal to be hesitant about your novel and wonder if there’s any point in publishing it. If you’re really unsure, consult a manuscript evaluator. It’s a much cheaper service and typically entails a short (1-2 pages) letter of professional feedback. Often, the focus is big-picture issues like plot holes, character motivations, or looming questions a reader might have.

You’re Financially Prepared
Look, money can be an awkward topic. It sucks to start a relationship (even a professional one) by talking budget, but it is crucial. Even widely read, traditionally published authors often hire a freelance editor or book coach to work with, and everyone will tell you that good editing costs money, although you can write it off on your taxes.

That’s not to say that there isn’t editing for every budget. You can absolutely go on websites like Upwork and find someone who’ll copyedit your 80,000-word sci-fi novel for $100. Will it be good work from a qualified professional? Who knows!

Most editors, though, charge quite a bit more. Many (like me) list their prices on their websites to make it easy for potential clients to do the math beforehand. Others ask you to contact them about the price, but everyone worth doing business with will be upfront about it.

I can’t speak for all editors, but I (and others) try to make this aspect as painless as possible with flexible payment plans or only working on sections you highlight. Some editors run sales or offer discounts if you purchase certain editorial packages. If you can’t afford anything, it might still be worth getting in touch to see if you can’t work something out while staying in budget.