Over the last few months I have finally begun the process of contacting, and contracting, an editor for my book. It is funny how similar to dating this process has been for me. It started over coffee, with an exchange of backgrounds and other basic information. After that seemed to go well, it progressed to a “sample edit”, in order for us both to see if the professional relationship we were heading towards would work. Concerns included: whether we would be on the same page-pun intended-regarding what things were important and should be expanded upon, and what things ended up taking away from the dialogue, scene, or overall story. I was surprised at how vulnerable the experience was initially. I found myself wondering-hoping-if they would like it or hate it. If they liked it, would they like it a lot? Or just a little? If they hated it, would it be enough to not want to see the rest of my work? I felt like I was back in my teens, waiting for the first day of school to start.
The advice I can offer at this point is that you try and find an editor who has edited books of your genre. At the very least try and discover what genre of books they enjoy reading. While they may be the best editor in the world, if they have not edited similar stories before, or have not even read them before, they are unlikely to have the same foundation of knowledge and interests that you have. Some may think this is a good thing, as it allows for a more impartial, detached edit of your work. I, on the other hand, want my editor to be excited about my work. I want them to be familiar with the influences that went into my writing and appreciate my work as a fellow reader, instead of just an editor. I feel like I am writing up a dating profile for an online dating service. Likes, dislikes, preferences, shared interests. In the end, try and find someone you are comfortable taking criticism from. Because in the end, their job is to help you make your work as good as it can be. Which means doing their best to take it apart piece by piece.