Essential Qualities of a Good Editor

• Know the editing services your book needs.
• Compile a list of editors specialized in projects like yours with qualifications to back them up.
• Research titles they’ve worked on and credentials.
• A good editor explains the reason for every change.
• Ask for a sample edit to tell if your editor communicates promptly and professionally.

Guidelines for Finding a Good Editor

• Before you hire an editor, check credentials.
• Find an editor specialized in your genre.
• A good editor will guide you and help you improve your work.
• Signs of a great editor include constructive feedback and objectivity.
• A good editor addresses your writing style and creative content in detail.

Qualities of a Good Editor

• A good editor understands the writer’s vision and preserves their voice.
• They respect the writer’s voice while improving their work.
• Editors should understand their audience and help writers best communicate with them.
• A good editor preserves the essence while clarifying the message.

Carl Sessions Stepp, the author of "Editing for Today’s Newsroom," believes editors should practice restraint and refrain from immediately reshaping the content in their own images.