How to Find a Good Line Editor (Without Losing Your Mind)

Iris Marsh
22 sep
9 minuten om te lezen

Bijgewerkt op: 14 nov

Table of Contents

What is a line editor?
When to start looking for a line editor
How to find a line editor without wasting money
Where to find a line editor
How to find the right line editor in 5 steps
A note on price vs. quality

Finding the right line editor for your novel can feel a bit like dating—you scroll through endless profiles, wonder if their promises are real, and pray you won’t regret your choice later.

With so many editors out there, how do you know who’s truly good, who’s just expensive, and who will actually get your voice?

As an indie author myself, I remember sending my first manuscript to an editor and holding my breath.

Would they “get” my voice?

Or would I have just wasted months of savings?

Now, after 5+ years as both an author and line editor, I’ve figured out the process that makes finding an editor far less overwhelming.

So I wrote this guide for my fellow indie authors who want professional editing without wasting money on the wrong fit.

In this post, I’ll show you what a line editor actually does, what to do before you search for one, and the exact 5 steps you can use to find a line editor who feels like a creative partner.

What you need is patience, guidance, comparisons, and at least some idea of a few line editing techniques to help you determine if an editor knows their stuff.

By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to go from a scattered list of “maybe” editors to landing the one you can trust with your story for years to come.

What Is a Line Editor?

Before we dive into how to find a line editor, let’s quickly recap what they actually do.

A line editor looks closely at your sentences and paragraphs to improve flow, clarity, and style.

They focus on things like:

Does your prose reflect your unique voice?
Are your characters’ personalities coming through?
Does the pacing keep readers hooked?

Unlike a copyeditor (who checks grammar, spelling, and consistency) or a developmental editor (who looks at the big-picture plot and structure), a line editor lives in that “in-between” space. They help you shape your words so your story sounds as strong as it is.

If you feel a bit lost, you can read more about line editing here.

Many line editors specialize in genres. For instance, I edit fantasy and cozy mysteries.

In fantasy, I’m often watching out for heavy exposition or pacing issues in action scenes.

In cozy mysteries, I pay more attention to filter words, quirky character voices, and making sure red herrings and clues work as intended.

Knowing your editor understands your genre conventions is a big part of choosing the right one.

When to Start Looking for a Line Editor

Think of editors like concert tickets for your favorite band—you don’t want to wait until the night before and hope something’s available. Many of us are booked months in advance, so grab your spot early!

The best time to start looking depends on your timeline and goals:

On a deadline? Contact editors at least 4 months in advance (some book out 6 months ahead). You may not have a final draft ready yet, but you can share a comparable sample—like an older project or a short story in the same style.
Flexible timeline? Wait until your manuscript is ready for line editing. That way, the sample edit reflects your actual book.

Either way, be upfront with editors about your timeline and progress.

I always appreciate transparency from potential clients. And by either booking in advance or being okay with waiting, it shows that you respect our time as well as yours.

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How to Find a Line Editor Without Wasting Money

Before you go ahead with finding and hiring an editor, make sure that your manuscript is truly ready or that you can realistically meet the deadline you set.

Add a little breathing space for yourself as well in case life happens and you have some delays.

If you’re certain there are no more structural or plot issues to address in your manuscript, and you’ve self-edited your prose to the best of your ability, you can go ahead with finding your line editor.

This is important, so don’t skip this.

I can’t tell you how many inquiries I had from authors who simply weren’t ready yet. While I will always let them know when I can, sometimes it doesn’t become clear until halfway through the edit.

In this case, I’ll have to add some developmental notes where appropriate.

But it’ll mean more time for the author, more sentences edited that might get cut or rewritten, and so more money wasted.

Where to Find a Line Editor

I’ve met clients through many different channels: social media, my website, job listings, you name it. Even some who subscribed to my emails and followed me first for a while.

So if you’re wondering where to start, here are some tried-and-true places to look:

Search engines: Try phrases like line editor fantasy or line editor mystery.
Reedsy directory: A vetted marketplace of freelance editors.
Editorial associations: EFA (US) or CIEP (UK) have directories of professional editors. See if your country has an organization with a directory as well.
Author communities: Ask fellow authors in your genre for referrals.
Social media: Facebook groups, LinkedIn, and even YouTube (many editors share videos about their approach).
Books you love: Check the acknowledgments section or copyright page of self-published novels in your genre—you might spot their editor’s name.

I would suggest picking around 3 different methods. This keeps it manageable and gives you a good range of potential editors.

The image is a step-by-step guide titled "Steps to Finding Your Line Editor." It lists five steps with icons: narrow your list, request a sample edit, compare samples, evaluate the whole package, and make a pick. At the bottom, it credits "Iris Marsh Edits" against a soft pink background.

How to Find the Right Line Editor in 5 Steps

Once you’ve gathered names, here’s how to narrow the list and find the right line editor.

Note: some services, like manuscript reviews, can’t give you a sample edit. Ask for a sample of a developmental edit instead to get a sense of the editor’s style.

1. Narrow Down Your List

Cross off anyone who:

doesn’t work in your genre. You can work with a generalist, but a specialist in a genre or two tends to give better results.
charges far beyond your budget. Unless you’re willing to save up for it. Find out here what a line edit could cost.
has no testimonials or reviews (unless they’re upfront about being new). Check beyond their website or social profile.
doesn’t give you a good gut feeling.

For those who remain, ask yourself:

What’s their turnaround time and availability? This should fit with your wishes and timeline.
What exactly do they include in a line edit? This should be clearly outlined.
Do they work mostly with indie or traditional authors? Pick someone who has experience in the trajectory you’d like to go with.
Are they part of a professional editorial association? This adds to their credit and means they’ll adhere to the professional conduct set by that organization.
What is their experience? This counts both in years and general scope of projects they complete. Also check whether they practice continued professional development.

If you can’t find the answers to these questions, ask the editors themselves! This will also give you a sense of their communication style.

For instance, while I always try to put every possible bit of information you might need on my website, it’s possible I missed something you would like to know. And I never mind people sending me an email to ask me a question.

After answering the above questions, pare down your list to a shortlist of 5 to 7 editors at most.

2. Request a Sample Edit

Think of sample edits like test-driving a car. You wouldn’t buy one without feeling how it drives, seeing how it handles, and so on.

Only here, instead of checking the brakes, you check whether the editor “gets” you and your story.

Most editors will provide a short sample. For instance, I offer a sample of up to 1000 words for free. Other editors will give you more or fewer words or ask for a small fee.

This step is where it will help you to know the basics of line editing. You need that knowledge to vet the sample.

Here are some books I recommend to help you with that:

Editing Fiction at Sentence Level by Louise Harnby
The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction by Amy J. Schneider

And read the articles I have on editing prose to increase your knowledge.

When checking the sample edit, pay attention to:

What they changed, and why. Do they explain their choices? And do you agree with these explanations?
Whether you like their style and approach. Does their overall feedback style fit with your wishes? And do you like the suggestions they give you?
Their communication—clear? supportive? overly formal? This should fit with your preferred style of communication.
The balance of critique and encouragement.

3. Compare Samples

Aside from judging the samples themselves, also compare them once you’ve received them all.

I’m a big fan of MasterChef Australia. And it’s astounding that even when they’re accidentally or purposely making the same dish, they all end up differently.

It’s kind of the same with line edits; they’re subjective, and each editor tackles an issue with slightly different flavors.

Look at how different editors revised the same type of sentence or scene:

Which version feels closest to your vision?
Did one editor overcorrect while another kept your voice intact?

4. Evaluate the Whole Package

Beyond the sample edit itself, weigh:

pricing and payment structure
timeline fit
genre alignment
communication style
social proof or testimonials
gut feeling
additional support (editorial letters, follow-up calls, etc.).

For example, I offer:

a 50/50 payment structure (although you can reach out if you need a different one)
a maximum price estimate
email support during your revisions.

Another editor might ask for full payment up front, give you a range or a set word count price, or offer a video call to go over the edit.

Check what’s within the description, clarify anything you don’t understand, and ask yourself what fits best with your personality.

5: Pick the Best Line Editor for Your Book

At some point, you have to decide. If two editors are tied, go with the one you’d feel most comfortable collaborating with. Flip a coin if you have to.

And don’t forget to politely let the others know you’ve chosen someone else.

Once you’ve signed the contract—congratulations! You’ve officially found your line editor.

Joanna Penn also has a great article on how to work with editors and why you should.

The image shows two puzzle pieces fitting together, one labeled "Author" and the other "Editor," symbolizing their partnership. Above the pieces, the text reads "Find Your Perfect Fit," and at the bottom it says "Iris Marsh Edits." The background is a soft pink and white gradient.

A Note on Price vs. Quality

It’s tempting to pick the cheapest editor you find (believe me, I get it). But it’s like eating sushi from a gas station instead of a proper restaurant.

It’s affordable, sure. But you might regret it later.

Or worse: you only rely on writing tools or AI to help you revise your story. Those tools can aid you, but you'll need more than that for a quality book.

Finding an editor is all about finding someone who won’t give your prose food poisoning.

I’ve made this mistake too when I had to buy a book cover. I should’ve known better, but the examples looked good, so I didn’t question any further. And that was a mistake.

That doesn’t mean all lower-priced editors are bad, nor that higher prices guarantee brilliance. But price should never be your only deciding factor. Quality, communication, and fit matter most.

Learning how to find a line editor takes some time, but the payoff is worth it. Once you’ve found an editor you trust, you can return to them for every book, confident they’ll respect your voice and elevate your story.

If you’re feeling stuck, start small: research, request a few samples, and trust your instincts.

The right editor isn’t just an expense—they’re a creative ally who helps your book reach its fullest potential.

Like with dating, you deserve the right partner who brings out the best in you without changing who you are.

Here’s what one indie author said after working with me:

You don’t have to keep scrolling through endless editor profiles hoping for the right fit.

If you’re ready for a partner who understands indie authors and will help your story shine, let’s talk.

Not within your budget? Check out my line assessment service for an affordable line edit of your first 5,000 words + a plan to help you revise the rest.