Talking Points:

Kinds of editors:

Developmental editor (Successful authors) The macro edit
Line edit editors
Beta reader editors
Copy editor (Grammar Nazi)
Proofreaders (Details person)

Places to find an editor:

Writers' Conference (Ask the faculty for recommendations. They will likely recommend fellow faculty who you can talk with. 15m consult)
Recommendation from a successful author
The acknowledgements of a book with a similar style.
Editor marketplace like ChristianEditor.com

What to look for in an editor

By their fruits you will know them.
Looks for a track record of commercial success.
Level 0 Editor: just starting out
Level 1 Editor: only edited for self published books (only a some of which are on Amazon).
Level 2 Editor: has been editing for a while and occasionally freelances for traditional publishing house.
Level 3 Editor: used to work full time for a traditional publisher.
Level 4 Editor: has edited a New York Times bestselling book.
Level 5 Editor: has edited multiple New York Times Bestselling books.
Do they match your personality style? How will you work together?

Places NOT to find an editor:

Your friend from college/church who has an English degree
The editor who is doing a lot of marketing (the best editors are booked solid)
Someone who loves to read and has always wanted to break into editing so they’ll save you a ton of money and do your edit for free

 
Final Tips:

Find a happy client before hiring someone and talk to them about the editor’s style
Ask for a sample edit first. Ask all the editors to edit the same sample so you can make an apples to apples comparison.
Make sure your editor is a good fit for your writing style.

 

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