Do you have an eye for detail that both surprises and irritates your friends, family, and work colleagues in equal measure? Sure, it can be difficult to be the one who spots all the errors, but you could be harboring the visionary prowess of a grammatical eagle!
Imagine that!
So, why not turn that talent for thoroughness into a professional editing role, where we’ll love you for your attention to detail? We’ll never make you feel small for spotting a missing comma—that’s a promise.
So, if you know your your from your you’re and your no from your know, this article might just be for you. Discover the 10 signs that you might thrive in the world of professional editing.
Ready? Let’s go.
What does an editor do?
You could say that an editor is the conduit between the writer and the publisher. They ensure that a writer’s work meets house style, refining the raw text into engaging, polished content that’s publication-ready.
Editing often happens in four stages:
- Developmental edit
This is where the editor evaluates the plot, pacing, and character development—the big-picture stuff.
This takes place early in the process, and at Relay Publishing, this is an ongoing conversation between the writer and the editor—ensuring the writer is on track with the outlined plot and that the characters are coming to life as intended.
At this stage of the process, the editor might suggest rewrites or cuts to improve pacing and readability.
- Line edit
The next stage of editing focuses on the “voice” of the writing, examining the syntax, diction (choice of words), and the flow of the text on the page.
This process is essential for the writer because they get early “reader’s eye” feedback on their piece. It helps prevent the writer from writing themselves into corners, which is something every professional writer fears.
- Copy edit
At this edit level, the editor reviews the writing’s mechanics, fixing the grammar and addressing the inevitable typos that the writer easily misses.
The professional editor ensures character names and formatting styles remain consistent throughout the manuscript.
- Proofreading
The final quality check prepares the manuscript for publication. This is where the editor makes a final check for typos and formatting issues, while ensuring the layout fits house style in preparation for print.
The 5Cs of editing
The editing process is often boiled down into the five Cs:
- Clear
- Correct
- Concise
- Comprehensible
- Consistent
So, if none of this makes you run for the hills in horror (and secretly excites you a little), read on for the 10 sure signs that you might be built for a professional editing role.
Professional editor sign #1: You notice inconsistencies
If you instinctively know that something isn’t quite right with a block of text, your instinct is probably correct. Because a great professional editor can spot inconsistencies immediately.
From formatting errors to spotting e’s before i’s, a great editor reads deeply into the text. And it’s not just the syntax and layout; an excellent professional editor spots inconsistencies in character voice and behavior, ensuring that the writer doesn’t make the fatal error of allowing the plot to drive the character.
Stories are always much stronger if the characters make decisions that guide the action. If they’re just falling into problems, which are solved by external forces (a.k.a. the Deus Ex Machina), then the character is just passively experiencing the plot, rather than driving it.
Editors are in touch with the story’s world
Great editors often know the characters as well as the writer. We work with ghostwriters at Relay Publishing who write to a very specific structure and plot map.
We rely heavily on editors to know the world of the book as well (or perhaps even better) than the writer.
There’s nothing more jarring for a reader than questioning a character’s action or voice. Our readers come back—book after book of a series—to catch the next installment. So, consistency is paramount.
Professional editor sign #2: You care about tone (and correctness)
Most readers value strong syntax and neat grammar, even if they don’t have a particularly powerful grasp of grammar in their written communications. They undoubtedly value it in their reading materials.
But often, tone is as important as correctness.
Sometimes full sentences slow the pace. When the tension is high, the reader wants the action delivered with a punch, and occasionally, that means we break the rules a little.
What is tone?
Tone affects the pace and vocal “flavor” of a text. In a novel, the story is typically told through a narrator’s voice, and the success of that delivery determines the difference between a slog of a read and an unputdownable page-turner.
For example:
He closed the door behind him, aware that prying eyes might be seeking him out in every corner. He heard the click of the catch sliding into the lock, cringing as the sound echoed around the empty space. He peered around the large, dark room for anything he might recognize that might tell him where he was.
Might read better as:
The door closed with a click. He froze. Were those eyes? Peering from the corner? Seeking him out? Ready to pounce? He scanned the room for anything he recognized. Where the hell was he?
Sometimes, we break grammar rules in favor of tone. And a confident professional editor knows when this is permissible.
Professional editor sign #3: You offer solutions
One of the most challenging requirements in the editor/writer relationship is the ability to suggest fixes with clarity, without damaging the alliance.
While the editor’s job isn’t to rewrite the text for the writer, it is part of the role to help the writer find appropriate solutions when there are problems to address.
Clarity is key here. If there’s a problem with the text, the editor needs to explain a fix clearly to prevent undermining the writer’s confidence and ensure the work meets the publisher’s expectations. It can be a tightrope, but the best editors know how to communicate fixes professionally and with sensitivity.
Professional editor sign #4: You love developing other people’s work
You might say that the editor’s role is one without ego because the project’s requirements are the goal, not their personal preferences.
And while you might have personally written a text differently, a great editor respects the writer’s talent and helps develop their work for maximum readability. You and the writer are in it together, and it’s your job as a professional editor to get the best of the words on the page.
Relay Publishing assigns each editor to a project with a ghostwriter. We value the collaborative process between writer and editor, so if you love getting the best out of a writer, we’d love to work with you.
Professional editor sign #5: You can hold standards without flattening voice
We consider an editor who can uphold house standards without infringing upon the writer’s voice a genuine asset.
We publish hundreds of much-loved novels every year, and we understand the process. There’s nothing to gain from tying the writer into knots of terror. They have to feel free to create, experiment, and discover.
So, we value editors who keep the big picture in mind while allowing the writer to breathe on the page. That way, we get the best out of everyone, and a book that we know our readers will cherish.
Professional editor sign #6: You enjoy process, structure, and nuance
We have a tried-and-tested, continually improved process at Relay Publishing. We know how to deliver a project, and we offer a clear project framework that’s easy to follow, ensuring that our editors are supported at every stage of the process. Equally, we’re a virtual team, and we hold regular online meetings.
However, everyone at Relay dictates their own schedules. As long as you hit your deadlines and are available for meetings, you’re free to choose how and when you work.
But essentially, you love the process of developing a writer’s manuscript into a publishable text. You’re a stickler for narrative structure, but you’re open to originality and blue sky thinking.
Professional editor sign #7: You’re a great communicator
As mentioned, we’re a virtual team, working across time zones, all over the planet. We love and value our international talent, and while we recognize the benefits this brings, we require regular check-ins to understand each project’s progress.
We use online workforce management software, which helps us track projects, store and share resources, and communicate. So, we’re looking for editors who are comfortable adapting to our communication platform to deliver updates and check-ins.
Of course, we understand that sometimes projects don’t run to schedule, and Relay strives to be accommodating when life gets in the way. As long as we’re kept up to date, we will do our best to adjust scheduling and deadline issues.
Professional editor sign #8: You’re objective and diplomatic
As discussed, a great editor doesn’t attempt to impose their voice onto a writer’s work. Instead, they’re an objective guide who works with the author to polish the manuscript while maintaining their unique creative DNA.
The best editors deliver constructive feedback without making it feel like a personal slant on the writer’s talent. You can deliver difficult feedback without making the writer feel undervalued.
Additionally, you don’t solely focus on developmental feedback. The best editors offer supportive, positive affirmation as well as comments and critiques on the areas for improvement.
Professional editor sign #9: You can spot “invisible” details
Our brains are wonderful machines and they’re typically adept at finding and assuming meaning, which is why it can be so difficult to proofread and edit your own work. As long as the first and the last letters of a word are correct, our brains tend to fill in the gaps.
For example:
Yuu cn tlel waht a wrod maens evn if the wdods are msispeld.
When every word is misspelled, it’s easier to find the errors. But when it’s the odd typo here and there, it becomes significantly more challenging to spot them.
But if you’re great at spotting these “invisible” mistakes, you might make a great professional editor.
Professional editor sign #10: You can spot plot, timeline, and character inconsistencies
This particular skill extends to editors with a talent for seeing the bigger picture—someone who can spot timeline issues that the writer might miss.
Maybe the writer decides to change the character’s name halfway through the writing, and the old name appears in the text. Or perhaps their eye color changes, leading to a plot point elsewhere in the story.
These are the little details that can be easily overlooked. But they’re the things that take the reader out of the moment and distract their engagement with the book. At Relay Publishing, we want our readers to keep reading, because there’s nothing more pleasurable than immersing yourself in a story.
Does this sound like you?
If we’ve just painted a picture of you, we think you might be the right fit for Relay Publishing. We’re looking for a range of editors who can help maintain the excellent standards of quality storytelling that our readers rely on.
Or perhaps our description of our ideal professional editor sounds like someone you know.
Get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.