How to Find and Hire the Perfect Spiritual Book Editor - Part II

Where to Find Your Ideal Spiritual Book Editor and Red Flags to Avoid

Welcome Back!

In Part I, we covered the financial landscape of professional editing—what you’ll pay, why rates vary, how to calculate costs, and the five essential phases of editing (editorial assessment, developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading). We also explored why editors work in a specific sequence and how understanding this process saves you time and money.

Now let’s dive into the practical aspects of actually finding and hiring your ideal editor, avoiding common pitfalls, and making the most of your editorial investment.

Getting Sample Edits and Quotes

Most professional editors will do a free sample edit of a page or two so you can see if their style works for you. They’ll also give you a realistic estimate for what your manuscript needs.

When you see huge price differences between editors, dig deeper. Ask directly: “Your rate seems low compared to others—can you tell me why?” You might hear legitimate reasons like “I’m retired and editing for enjoyment” or “I’m building my portfolio.” But you might also discover they’re not native English speakers or lack relevant experience.

Remember: if you hire five different developmental editors to edit your book, you’ll get five different books. But in my humble opinion, you should hire different editors for each phase of editing. I suggest you hire one editor for developmental and line editing, one editor for copy editing, and two different proofreaders. Why? Because, for example, a developmental editor is going to read your book three or four times, and by the time they’ve done that, the human mind starts to see what it wants to see, not what’s actually on the page. So having a “fresh set of eyes” for your copy edit (and again for your proofread) can help ensure that all those little glitches and gremlins that lurk in your manuscript get caught along the way. Now, some editors will disagree with me on this, and that’s fair enough. But I believe that the more professional eyes you can get on your manuscript, the better. 

Where and How to Find Editors

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that our experienced editorial team is ready to chat with you about your editorial needs. We specialize in Spiritual, Metaphysical, Self-Help, Wellness, and Self-Transformational books. Check out our editorial team’s qualifications here: My Team

If you want to continue searching elsewhere, here’s some solid advice about where to find editors: 

Professional Platforms: 

The online hiring platforms Reedsy and Upwork have strict vetting processes. Both platforms charge administrative fees, but they protect you from scams and ensure quality standards. There are also other platforms like Freelancer.com and Fiverr.com that have freelancers available for hire. Watch out, however. Many of these platforms charge a percentage of the contract fee to the freelancer and a percentage to the hirer, so check your contract for all those “middle man” add-ons. It’s fair that they charge administrative fees, of course, because they are offering a valuable service. Just make sure you know up front what those fees are, so there are no surprises. 

Editorial Associations: 

Search for “editorial association” in your country or state. These organizations maintain member directories of vetted professionals.

College Programs: 

Check creative writing or English departments at local universities, technical colleges, and editorial training academies. Graduate students often do excellent work at student rates while building their portfolios.

Book Recommendations: 

Check the Acknowledgments section in books similar to yours—authors often thank their editors by name. Then look them up online. 

Red Flags to Avoid

The freelance world has pitfalls. Here are warning signs:

• Editors who won’t provide contact information beyond an email address 

• Unusually low prices with no clear explanation of why 

• Hiring platforms that let anyone sign up without vetting 

• Payment is required completely upfront before any work begins (Ideally, you should pay in installments, usually with a deposit up front to hold space in the editor’s calendar, which pays for the first phase of the work as well) 

• Editors who promise unrealistic turnaround times 

• Editors who contact you directly (unless the referral is coming from someone you know)

I’ve known authors who have lost thousands to scammers who disappear after collecting payment, or who delivered inferior or unusable work. Always check references and start with small test projects when possible. I've seen too many authors lose money and momentum to scams. A little extra research up front can save you from major setbacks.

Working with Self-Publishing Houses

Many self-publishing companies offer in-house editing, but quality varies wildly. Some charge you high prices, pay their editors poorly, and impose unrealistic time limits on them: 7-10 minutes per page for line editing, for example. Not all authors’ work needs the same attention, and if an editor is rushing through your manuscript to meet company quotas, you’re not getting the attention your book deserves—or that you’re paying for.

Ask these questions before committing: 

• What phases of editing are included in my package? 

• Can I communicate directly with my assigned editor? (If not, run away) 

• What happens if I’m not satisfied with the edit? 

• How much time will the editor spend on my manuscript, per page? How many passes will the editor make? (i.e., how many times will they read my manuscript? If you’re seeing a big discrepancy in editors’ fees for your manuscript, the lower-priced editor’s number of readthroughs might be the issue.

If you can’t speak directly with your editor or if everything goes through a middleman, consider that a red flag. Run away.

Making Editing Affordable

If professional editing feels out of reach financially, here are some strategies:

1. Use editing software first: Run your manuscript through Grammarly and/or ProWritingAid (both have free versions) to catch basic errors before hiring a human editor.

2. Focus on one phase: If you can’t afford comprehensive editing, prioritize developmental or line editing over copy editing. Structure and clarity matter more than perfect comma placement, and an AI tool can help you catch grammar, punctuation, and spelling glitches. They won’t fully replace a human editor, but they can help.

3. Seek coaching: Some editors offer self-editing coaching sessions to help you tackle one phase yourself. Here’s a link to information on my coaching session: Book Coaching that Inspires Action

Save up: Seriously, consider waiting until you can afford proper editing rather than settling for subpar work or publishing a manuscript that has not been professionally edited.

What Professional Editing Actually Costs

Let’s say your manuscript is 140 pages and needs developmental and line editing (all books need editing). A quote of $2,800 might seem shocking, but break it down: that’s $20 per page for comprehensive work by a skilled professional. If your book is longer—say 250 pages—that same quote becomes an incredible bargain.

Compare it to other professional services. You wouldn’t expect a lawyer to review a contract for $50, or a contractor to redo your kitchen for $200. Quality editing takes time, skill, and attention to detail.

Word Count Matters

All this said, here’s something to think about. If you are planning to find an agent, word count matters. There are industry-standard word counts for genres of books, and if your word count is too low or too high, there’s no point in hiring an editor yet, because you’ll need to increase or lower your word count. Check online for the word count range for your genre. (Note that the recommendations vary widely, but you’ll find a range that feels right for you.) 

That said, if you are self-publishing, your word count can be whatever you want it to be, but remember, you want your book to be priced in the same range as other books like yours, and page count is a key element in book pricing. That’s not to say that book pricing is as simple as more pages equals a higher price, but page count definitely matters, since thicker books cost more to print and ship. Publishers also factor in whether it’s hardcover or paperback, how well-known the author is, what they spent on production and marketing, how much people want the book, and what similar books are selling for. So, as you can see, having a book that’s well beyond the standard word count for your genre won’t serve you well, because you’ll probably need to price your book higher than the “competition” just to break even with your costs. Make sense?

Understanding Editorial Workloads: What’s Realistic?

When researching potential editors, it’s worth understanding realistic timelines for quality editorial work. You might encounter editors who advertise completing 50 books annually—that’s roughly one book per week. While some editors do work faster than others, it’s helpful to understand what different types of editing they are doing and at what pace, and what that might indicate about their process.

High-volume editing can happen in a few different ways: some editors specialize in lighter editing services that require less time per manuscript, others work with established teams or subcontractors (which isn’t inherently problematic if disclosed), and some focus on specific niches where they’ve developed efficient systems. However, comprehensive developmental editing typically requires significant time investment—for example, as a developmental editor, I can handle 1-2 books per month maximum, depending on manuscript length and editing depth required.

Here’s what to ask when interviewing high-volume editors: How do they structure their process? Do they work with a team, and if so, who will actually be working on your manuscript? What’s their typical turnaround time, and how does that align with the level of editing you need? A transparent editor will happily explain their workflow and help you understand what to expect.

For context, some developmental editors (like me) handle 6-12 books annually, while copy editors might manage double those numbers (or more) since that work requires less extensive revision guidance. Understanding these industry norms helps you ask informed questions and find an editor whose capacity and process align with your project’s needs. The goal is to find someone whose working style matches what your manuscript requires.

The Bottom Line

Your book represents months or years of passionate work—it deserves to shine! Professional editing isn’t just about catching typos; it’s about honoring your creative investment and giving your book the best possible chance to connect with readers and achieve your goals.

Here’s the empowering truth: while most books sell between 500-1,000 copies in their lifetime, professionally edited books consistently outperform their unedited counterparts. They catch agents’ attention more easily, earn enthusiastic reader reviews, and generate significantly more revenue for self-published authors. Your book might be the one that breaks through to much higher sales—but only if it’s polished enough to compete in today’s market.

I’ve watched talented authors publish multiple books without professional editing, treating them as “calling cards” for their businesses. While their passion and creativity shine through, easily preventable errors undermine their credibility and limit their success. Don’t let technical issues overshadow your brilliant ideas and hard work.

Think of editing as the smartest investment you can make in your writing career. A well-edited book opens doors—it impresses agents, delights readers, earns stellar reviews, and builds your reputation as a serious author. The money you invest in editing pays dividends through better opportunities, stronger reader relationships, and increased revenue. You’ve already invested your most valuable resource—your time and creativity—why not give it the professional polish that lets it truly succeed?

Finding Your Perfect Match

The right editor for you is someone whose resume affirms “I’m experienced in your genre!” whose sample work you love, whose price fits your budget, and whose personality clicks with yours. Meet your potential editor (online) before you hire them. You want a teammate who gets excited about your book idea and has your back throughout the process.

Don’t hesitate to ask for references from previous clients. Professional editors are proud of their work and happy to connect you with satisfied authors.

Remember: editing isn’t just about fixing errors—it’s about making your book the best possible version of itself. That’s worth investing in.

Ready to Find Your Ideal Editor? 

Start with sample edits (of the same manuscript pages) from 2-3 candidates, compare their approaches and prices, and choose the one who fits into your budget and understands your vision while pushing you to improve. Your book—and your readers—will thank you. Note that some high-profile editors will not do free sample edits, and that’s okay. Ask what they would charge to do a sample edit of 2-3 pages...often, they’ll oblige at a reasonable price. That said, this approach likely won’t work for editors working from online apps, because to give you, say, a $25.00 sample edit, they have to start an official job. And the administration time it takes to propose, activate, and wrap a low-price job is often not worth their time. 

Ready to put this knowledge into action? In Part III, we’ll provide you with a complete step-by-step roadmap that transforms everything you’ve learned about editorial pricing and editor sourcing into a practical system you can follow from start to finish—including how to avoid costly mistakes and make smart hiring decisions that protect your investment. See you there!

Looking for Help?

Choosing the right editorial support for your manuscript can feel overwhelming. With so many types of editing available—from big-picture story development to final proofreading—it’s tough to know where to start or what your book actually needs. Then comes the challenge of finding an editor who gets your vision and fits your budget.

My Coaching Session cuts through the editorial confusion. You’ll learn exactly what each type of editing delivers—from structural improvements that transform your story’s foundation to precise final touches that give your work a professional shine. I’ll walk you through the typical editing sequence, realistic expectations for each stage, and reliable strategies for identifying and evaluating the right editors for your project.

Whether you’re new to publishing and confused by industry terms, or you’re an experienced writer looking to streamline your editorial process, this session gives you the knowledge to make smart decisions about your manuscript. You’ll walk away with concrete methods for screening editors, asking the right questions during consultations, and building working relationships that truly elevate your writing.

Ready to connect with your perfect editorial partner? My Team

This blog is subject to our Notices to Reader section. For more information and helpful tips on editors and publishers, check out my other writings. Questions? Reach out at michaelireland@shaw.ca

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