How to Vet an Editor and Avoid Being Scammed?
How can an author vet an editor? I work pretty much exclusively with indie authors, and they are rightly hesitant before they hand over their hard-earned cash to a stranger. The editing profession (and self-publishing services in general) is largely unregulated, and anyone can set themselves up as an editing professional.
So how can an author find a reputable editor – one who is going to provide them with the service they’ve paid for? There are several steps, and none of them are onerous or costly.
1. Is an editor a member of a professional organisation?
This is a quick and easy step to vet an editor. Most countries have their own professional editorial organisations – for example, the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association) and ACES in the US, and the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) in the UK. I’m an Advanced Professional Member of the CIEP. This means that I’ve had to prove I’m competent, professional and committed.
2. Ask an editor to provide a sample edit
Sample edits are a great way to see how an editor works, and are particularly useful as an author can see how this relates to their own text.
They help authors really understand precisely what the editing process involves, and exactly what they are getting for their money. They also demonstrate how an editor communicates – are they professional and friendly or do they come across as pushy and controlling?
Many (not all) editors will offer a sample edit for free. If an editor charges for a sample edit, this is not necessarily a red flag – sample edits take time and care, and it’s only fair for editors to charge for their time.
3. Ask fellow writers for a recommendation
Asking fellow writers for a recommendation is an excellent way to avoid being scammed by an editor – and it’s quick and free.
Of course a personal recommendation is always valuable, but it’s also true that different people click in different ways, and an author still needs to check they are happy with what is being offered.
4. Check out an editor’s website
Most editors will have a website, and this is where they will be championing their services. Looking at a website should help an author work out precisely what is being offered, and help them get a feel for how an editor works.
My hope is that my website comes across as friendly and approachable, as this is how I work. Other editors might have a more formal tone – and this is fine too.
Websites might contain testimonials (which obviously are a good thing), an indication of previous jobs (although sometimes an editor can’t talk about previous work if they’ve signed a NDA for example) and might list an editor’s prices.
5. Check out an editor’s social media posts
Social media posts will demonstrate how an editor communicates and interacts with others – but note that not all editors use social media, and it’s not a red flag if they aren’t on there.
I spend a lot of time interacting with other editors on social media as this helps me build my editorial support network. Seeing how an editor interacts with other editors can be a valuable insight into how they are perceived by their peers.
6. Use some free tools to vet an editor
The Alliance of Independent Authors Watchdog Desk is free to use. It monitors service providers, contests, awards and publishing trends, offering ratings, reports and a directory of approved partners.
Another website to check is the Writer Beware service. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association in America – but it’s not restricted to SFF or the US.
The Writer Beware website provides warnings about common schemes, scams, and pitfalls (there are sections on literary agents, vanity publishers, vanity anthologies, small presses, independent editors, contests, self-publishing, writers’ services, and copyright, as well as a page of writers’ alerts, a series of case studies of defunct scams, and our famous Thumbs Down Agent and Publisher Lists), advice on how to avoid them, and links to helpful online resources.
Questions to ask an editor as part of the vetting process
- Are you a member of a professional organisation (like the CIEP)?
- Can you provide testimonials?
- Can you give me a list of books that you’ve worked on?
- Can I see a sample of your work?
- Are you on social media?
FAQs about how to vet an editor
1. Is the editing profession regulated?
No, it isn’t. However, an editor can elect to join a professional organisation – and this demonstrates their credibility.
2. Is it a red flag if an editor wants to charge for a sample edit?
No, it isn’t. Some editors (like me) provide sample edits for free. Other editors, who are also reputable, have decided to charge for their sample edits. This is just a recognition of how long a sample edit can take.
3. Do editors charge a deposit or booking fee before they start work?
Yes, most of us do. This just provides us with some reassurance that an author will be sending the manuscript as agreed – and gives us a buffer if we suddenly find ourselves without work when an author changes their mind.
In Conclusion
It doesn’t take long to vet an editor. An author should be able to spot the editing scammers, and find all those reputable editorial professionals who are just waiting to help them! I’m always happy to hear from new authors looking to have their manuscript edited, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
