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

Your Step-by-Step Roadmap to Hiring the Right Spiritual Book Editor

Welcome back!

Now that you understand editorial pricing (Part I) and where/how to find editors (Part II), it’s time to put that knowledge into action. Finding and hiring the right editor doesn’t have to feel overwhelming when you have a clear system to follow.

This roadmap breaks down the entire process into five manageable phases that take you from initial preparation through making smart hiring decisions. You’ll work through pre-search preparation, where you’ll assess your word count, establish a realistic budget, and determine exactly what type of editing your manuscript needs. Then you’ll move into systematic editor research and vetting, learning how to source quality candidates while screening out potential red flags that could cost you time and money.

The evaluation and testing phase shows you how to use sample edits and detailed quotes to make informed comparisons between editors, while the smart hiring decisions section shows you why hiring different editors for different phases actually saves you money and improves results. For authors working within tighter budgets, you’ll find practical alternatives that still maintain professional standards.

By following these steps, you’ll discover specific questions to ask potential editors, identify warning signs that indicate scammers or low-quality services, and decision frameworks that help you choose the right editorial team for your project. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical system designed to protect your investment while ensuring your manuscript gets the professional attention it deserves.

Here’s your step-by-step roadmap for hiring the right editor without costly mistakes:

PHASE 1: PRE-SEARCH PREPARATION

Step 1: Check Your Word Count

• Use your word processor to get an exact word count

• Research standard word counts for your genre online

• Traditional Publishing: Word count must fit industry standards or many agents won’t consider your manuscript

• Self-Publishing: Can be any length, but remember, longer books can mean higher printing costs, and a higher retail price

Step 2: Calculate Your Realistic Budget

• Per-word method: Word count × editor’s per-word rate ÷ 100 = your $ cost

• Per-page method: Word count ÷ 250 = double-spaced pages, then × editor’s page rate

• Per-hour method: Ask editor for time estimate (can be 1-1.25 hours per page for all phases in total, but every editor differs and every book is different)

• Budget for all phases: Editorial assessment, developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and at least two rounds of proofreading

Step 3: Determine What You Actually Need

• Start here if unsure: Editorial assessment gives you a roadmap ($500 - $1,500 depending on your word count) 

• Skip if confident: Go straight to developmental editing

• Remember: You’ll need multiple phases of editing—budget accordingly

• Can you do a self-edit to reduce your word count before handing your manuscript to an editor? Check out my Coaching session here: Book Coaching that Inspires Action

PHASE 2: EDITOR RESEARCH & VETTING

Step 4: Source Your Candidates

• Vetted platforms: Reedsy, Upwork (higher fees but verified quality)

• Professional associations: Search “[your country/state] editorial association”

• Academic connections: Contact creative writing and editing programs for graduate students

• Book research: Check the Acknowledgments in books similar to yours

• Specialized teams: Consider editors who focus on your genre. Check out our editorial team’s bios here: My Team

Step 5: Red Flag Screening 

Immediately eliminate editors who:

• Won’t provide contact information beyond email

• Won’t meet you for a brief, free online discovery session or phone call 

• Demand full payment upfront before starting work

• Offer suspiciously low prices with no explanation

• Promise unrealistic turnaround times

• Contact you directly without referrals

• Won’t let you communicate with them directly (only through middlemen). (However, note: online hiring platforms often restrict an editor’s contact with you to use of their platform’s email system, so sometimes it’s not possible for an editor to give you their personal contact information, if you are using a hiring platform. Use your discretion here.)

Step 6: Create Your Shortlist

• Aim for 3-5 potential editors

• Verify they specialize in or have experience with your genre

• Check their profiles, websites, portfolios, and client testimonials

• Confirm they’re available in your timeline

PHASE 3: EVALUATION & TESTING

Step 7: Request Sample Edits

• Ask 2-3 finalists to edit the same 1-2 pages of your manuscript. Many professionals offer this free; high-profile editors may charge $25 - $50 (But note, some online hiring platforms restrict this “free editing” scenario. So, just politely ask if it is something the editor would consider doing – don’t expect a freebie) 

• Compare: Style, thoroughness, communication, and whether you like their approach

• Warning: If they won’t do a free sample edit, fair enough. But if they won’t do a paid sample, consider it a red flag. That said, please don’t expect a free sample edit and a free online discovery session—that might be a bridge too far. Choose one or the other, or expect to pay for at least one hour of the editor’s time. 

Step 8: Get Detailed Quotes

Ask each candidate:

• “What phases of editing does your quote include?”

• “How many times will you read my manuscript?”

• “What’s your estimated turnaround time for each phase?”

• “Can you explain why your rate is [higher/lower] than others I’ve received?”

• “What’s included if I’m not satisfied with the work?”

Step 9: Check References

• Ask for 2 - 3 recent client references (on online hiring platforms, editors may just direct you to the feedback sections of their online profile, as they may not have been allowed to collect personal contact information of their author clients)

• If they can give you contact information, connect with their previous clients about: the quality of their work, communication, meeting deadlines, handling revisions

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, investigate further

PHASE 4: SMART HIRING DECISIONS

Step 10: Choose Your Editorial Team

• Best practice: Hire different editors for different phases (Note: not all editors will agree with this approach, and like to do all the phases of editing for your manuscript. This is my opinion.)

• Developmental + Line editing: Same editor (they’ll know your manuscript well)

• Copy editing: Fresh eyes—different editor

• Proofreading: Two different proofreaders for maximum error-catching

Step 11: Negotiate Payment Terms

• Standard: Deposit upfront (fair: 25-50%) to reserve calendar space. Check their cancellation policy. 

• Remaining balance: Pay in installments as phases are completed

• Never: Pay 100% upfront unless working with established professionals with strong references. Always get all their contact information, phone #, email, and street address. 

• Get everything in writing: Scope, timeline, payment schedule, revision policy

Step 12: Set Clear Expectations

• Confirm what’s included in each editing phase

• Establish communication preferences and frequency

• Agree on revision rounds included in the price

• Clarify file formats and delivery methods

• Set realistic deadlines for both parties

PHASE 5: BUDGET-CONSCIOUS ALTERNATIVES

If Professional Editing Feels Out of Reach:

Step 13: Prep Your Manuscript First

• Run through Grammarly or ProWritingAid (free versions available)

• Get training on self-editing to reduce your word count and streamline your text. Book Coaching that Inspires Action

• Fix obvious errors before hiring human editors

• All of this can reduce copy editing costs

Step 14: Prioritize Your Investment

• Most important: Developmental editing (structure and story)

• Second priority: Line editing (clarity and flow)

• AI can help with: Basic grammar and spelling (copy editing level)

• Consider: Self-editing coaching sessions instead of full editing 

Step 15: Save and Wait Strategy

• Reality check: Better to wait and hire professionals than to publish unedited work

• Marketplace truth: Professionally edited books outsell unedited ones significantly

• Career impact: One well-edited book builds you a better reputation than multiple unedited ones

Quick Reference: Warning Signs to Avoid

During Your Search:

• Editors working through platforms that don’t vet qualifications

• Quotes significantly below market rate with no clear explanation

• Promises to edit manuscripts in unrealistic timeframes

• Self-publishing companies that won’t let you speak directly with your assigned editor

• Anyone requiring full payment before starting work

• Be cautious of editors claiming they edit a book a week. Ask how they structure their process and if they work with an editorial team

Your Decision Framework

Choose an editor based on:

1. Genre experience: They understand your type of book

2. Sample quality: You love their editing style

3. Budget fit: Their rates work within your realistic budget

4. Communication style: You feel comfortable working together

5. Professional approach: They explain their process clearly and have satisfied client references

Final Reality Check

Professional editing costs money because it adds genuine value. Your book represents months or years of work—protect that investment with quality editing that gives your work the best chance to succeed.

Remember: You’re not just buying error correction. You’re investing in your book’s potential to connect with readers, earn positive reviews, attract agents (if going traditional), and build your reputation as a serious author. 

You’ve already done the hardest part by writing your book; now give it the editorial foundation it needs to soar! 

Looking for Guidance?

The editorial landscape can feel like a maze when you’re trying to figure out what your manuscript actually requires. Between developmental work that reshapes your entire story and final proofreading that catches stray commas, it’s easy to get lost in all the options. Add the challenge of finding someone who understands your project and works within your price range, and the whole process becomes even more daunting.

My Coaching Session clears up the editorial mystery. You’ll discover what each editing phase accomplishes—from foundational changes that strengthen your manuscript’s core to finishing touches that ensure professional presentation. I’ll explain the logical order of editorial work, what you can realistically expect from each phase, and proven techniques for locating and assessing potential editors.

This session works for complete beginners who feel overwhelmed by publishing terminology and seasoned authors wanting to refine their editor selection process. You’ll leave with practical tools for evaluating candidates, conducting meaningful interviews, and creating partnerships that genuinely improve your work.

Ready to master the editorial maze and find your publishing ally?

And, if you’d like to know more about our editorial team, click here: 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

---

P.S. Want to read my blogs on mystical, magical, and metaphysical topics?

Visit me on Substack: Substack.com/@michael852085

---

Please click to review the Blog Notice to Readers.