Sample Edits: The What, How, and Why of Assessing Developmental Editors
Congratulations!! You’ve finished your first draft and revised it as best you can. You know it’s not ready for querying or publishing. It’s time to hire an editor.
First, you have to find them (great job on this one, you’ve already found me, but you can continue that search here for more options). But finding prospective editors is just the beginning. How do you sort through a list of qualified editors to find the best one for you?
Enter, the sample edit.
Hiring an editor can be confusing and intimidating and the decision can feel high stakes. After all, editing is a huge investment of time, money, and trust. Sample edits are the best tool you have for assessing potential editors, but I’ve noticed a lot of confusion about how sample edits work.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this crucial step in the editor hiring process so that you know exactly what to do when it’s time to find a developmental editor for your book.
Before we dive in, I’m a developmental editor. I’m sure there are similarities in the process across editing specialities, but the specifics will vary. Not sure what the different editing specialities do? I break down all the different subtypes and specialities in this blog post.
Let’s start with the basics:
What is a sample edit?
In simple terms, a sample edit is just feedback on a short section of your manuscript. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to preview what working with that editor is like. You’ll see how they react to your work and get a sense of whether their feedback resonates with you (or not).
The sample edit will show you exactly what you can expect during the editing process by highlighting the type of comments you’ll receive and how the editor structures their work. While you might not get a full picture of everything the full edit will include (for example, I don’t provide sample book maps), you should walk away with a strong idea of how an editor works and whether their style is a match for your needs.
How much does a sample edit cost?
Most editors offer free sample edits, but some (especially those with extensive experience) charge a small fee. That cost may end up being deducted from the overall project fee if you work with that editor, but you’ll want to check to make sure you’re clear on the editor’s policies before putting any money down.
Wondering why I don’t charge? For me, the sample edit is a two-way street. You get to decide if I’m the right fit for you, but I also get to decide if you’re the right fit for me. If I don’t think I can help you for any reason, I’ll let you know before you’ve put any money down.
What does a sample edit include?
I can only speak for myself, but all of my sample edits include three things:
Comments on a brief excerpt of your manuscript (usually 5-10 pages depending on the length of the project as a whole). Just FYI— if you’re only interested in my manuscript evaluation service which doesn’t include comments, I’ll include a sample book map instead.
A 1-2 page editorial memo summarizing my feedback.
A detailed project quote that includes the scope of work, the cost for each editing package option, a proposed timeline for our work together, and information about next steps whether you choose to work with me, want to schedule a discovery call before comitting, or realize that we’re not the right fit.
How does the sample edit process work?
Every editor has their own process, but here’s how sample edits work for my business:
1. You’ll start by filling out a short form that asks for information like your name, email address, and basic information about your project.
2. I’ll reach out via email within one business day (if you haven’t heard from me by then, check your spam folder) with instructions for formatting and submitting your sample.
3. Once you send your sample, I’ll give you a timeline (usually 1-2 days) and get to work on the sample edit. That means commenting on your sample pages and writing a short editorial memo. I’ll also put together my quote and add it to the editorial memo document.
4. Once the sample is done, I’ll send it back. Then, its your turn to assess my work and decide whether I’m the right editor for you. If you decide that I’m the right fit, I’ll send you a contract and invoice. If you decide I’m not what you’re looking for, that’s fine too! I’ll wish you luck and send you on your way to find the right person for your project.
When should I reach out for sample edits?
I recommend reaching out at least 1-2 months before your ideal start date, but editors can book out even further in advance (I’ve booked up to six months out in the past).
In general, the sooner you start this process, the more likely that your ideal editor will be available when you want to work with them, but planning ahead often means that your manuscript won’t be ready for editing when you reach out for your sample edit. That can still work as long as you give prospective editors a head’s up about the condition of the manuscript and your ideal timeline.
Some editors (including me) will ask to see the full manuscript before finalizing the contract to make sure that we can take the condition of the entire manuscript into account when putting together the timeline & quote, but I’m always happy to put together a provisional quote based on a word count range.
Now for a more philosophical question:
Why bother with sample edits for a developmental edit?
Some developmental editors don’t provide sample edits because developmental editing focuses on story-level elements that can’t be definitively addressed in a short sample of the text. That is a valid concern, but I don’t think that one limitation outweighs the benefits of sample feedback.
Why? Because even if one of my initial comments will be invalidated by something that happens on page 50 or 500, you can still get a sense of my style, tone, and skill as an editor. You can see whether my comments generally align with the story that you’re trying to tell or if I’m pushing you in a direction that doesn’t fit.
Are all of my sample edit comments usuable right out of the gate? No, but they aren’t meant to be. The sample edit comments are a first draft, a preview of the types of comments I give rather than a mandate for revising your opening pages before the real edit begins. If you hire me as your editor, I’ll revise each one of those comments as part of my second pass through the manuscript. By the time I send you the finalized edit package, each comment will be relevant, helpful, and aligned with my feedback on other parts of the manuscript. Curious about the rest of my editing process? Check out this blog post for a break down of each step in my process.
For other forms of editing, sample edits are often about assessing an editor’s technical skills. Do they know their P’s, Q’s, and Oxford commas. While knowledge and skill are essential for a developmental editor, the fiction elements we assess tend to be more subjective.
It’s not enough to find someone who’s great at editing. It’s about finding someone who is great at editing your book. Someone who will respect and preserve the things you love most about your story. Someone who will shepherd your vision and help you bring it to life on the page. Someone who gives feedback that you’re excited to implement even if you’re forced to make tough choices and kill your darlings. You need a developmental editor you can trust and talk to honestly throughout the process.
That means looking beyond the feedback you get (though that part should be amazing) and taking stock of the entire process. How does working with this editor make you feel? If your gut tells you something is off, trust it. If you’re excited to keep working with them, trust that feeling to even if you know that one of their first comments might change after they get to the big reveal in your climax.
Now that you know what sample edits are and why they’re essential, it’s time to tackle the biggest question of all: What should I look for in a developmental editor? I’ll break it down into a couple of key domains:
The Process:
How do they respond to your initial sample edit request?
What is their overall communication style like? How do they respond to your questions and concerns? How do they organize their feedback?
Do they seem to have clear systems in place for handling client work?
Do they talk to you respectfully and in a way that makes sense to you?
Are they able to work within your timeline and budget? Do they offer payment plans that work for you?
The Feedback:
How many comments did they provide? Were you overwhelmed by comments on every other paragraph or searching for more feedback? [Just FYI – there’s no “right” number to look for here and the density of the comments will depend on many factors. You’re going with a gut check here].
What are the tone of their comments? Helpful and positive? Short and specific? Terse or vague?
Are the comments specific and actionable?
How do you feel reading their feedback? Empowered? Excited? Dejected? Confused? Something else?
The Vibes:
Do they feel like someone you can trust with your book?
Do they respect your vision?
Can this person support your goals for this project?
Editors are as unique as the writers we support. Finding the right person will take effort, but it’s worth it to find the right fit for you, your book, and your writing goals.
You deserve the perfect editor for you, not just the first person you find.
Take your time. Request multiple sample edits and give yourself plenty of time to evaluate the options. Your book and your future as a writer are worth it.
Want to learn more about finding developmental editors? Check out my post on the qualities you should look for in a developmental editor.
