An editor’s availability can vary widely depending on the time of year and their workload. I’ve had immediate availability due to a cancellation, but I’ve also been booked for up to six months.
I’d recommend looking at least several months prior to when you’d like to begin, especially if you have a deadline in mind. It’s never too early to start looking at editors’ portfolios and requesting samples, as you can always book them for a later date. Then the edit itself can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks or more depending on the editor’s schedule.
When you book an editor, you’re booking a specific spot on their schedule. If your word count changes, the estimate and timeline will too; if the change is drastic, it might be difficult for them to keep you in that spot.
So you might want to wait until you have a sense of what your word count might be. Most editors charge by word, though, so you should be able to calculate any changes in price.
It’s important to note that it’s not in your best interest to send your editor your very first draft. You’ll find a lot to change in a subsequent read (plot holes, obvious mistakes and inconsistencies). I’d recommend doing a considerable amount of self-editing first to save yourself time and money and help your editor focus on the heart of your story.
Let me know if you have any questions about when to hire an editor, and thanks for stopping by.
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