GUIDELINES FOR HIRING AN ACADEMIC/DISSERTATION EDITOR
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“Without your help, I’d probably still be writing. Because of it, we only needed one draft. That’s the difference an editor makes.” —Rev. Dr. Samuel Thompson
Finding an editor who is a good fit for you can be challenging. First, their abilities vary greatly—from proofreading, formatting, and proficiency in an academic style to copy editing. Second, their competence also varies greatly (no license is required)—as do their rates and ethics. In short, exercise caution when hiring an editor.
Finding an Editor
An Internet search is one route for finding an editor; however, referral or word of mouth has distinct advantages. If, for example, the referral comes from your school, the editor is likely familiar with your school’s standards and requirements, and the referee has likely had a positive experience with the editor. Still, though, caution is advised: Whereas an editor may be perfect for one student’s needs, they may not be a good fit for another.
Screening and the Importance of Good Communication
Here are a few considerations.
1. You should feel comfortable with the editor. A good editor becomes your ally, and together you become a team. Your editor’s only job is to help you complete a dissertation (or other document) that is acceptable to your committee and your school.
2. You should feel confident about the editor’s abilities and commitment to your project. Before handing over your manuscript and a hefty retainer, make sure you are satisfied with the editor’s work and that communication is going well both ways, especially with respect to:
Þ Scope of the project and level of editing (i.e., proofreading versus copy editing), as this will significantly impact the cost. Also, is the editor familiar with your school’s style guide? How do they handle an estimate that is either too low or too high? Will they charge you for revisions?
Þ Total bill and payment. What is included and what is not included? Is the contract for a set fee or is it an estimate? It is essential that a payment agreement be established in advance (typically a 50% retainer and balance due before the editor releases the file).
Þ The timeline. When will the manuscript be ready for the editor? How much time does the editor need? Do you have a hard-and-fast deadline?
Be careful about your assumptions. It is so easy to make a false and potentially serious assumption. For example, when quoting a per-page rate, does this refer to a single-spaced page or a double-spaced page?
In addition to the scope of the editing, the deadline/turnaround time, and the cost, be crystal clear about any additional costs for revisions, written and spoken communications, or a quick turnaround time—as well as a fallback schedule if you need extra time on your end.
Don’t expect perfection. Finally, no editor can guarantee either an error-free document or an edited version of your manuscript that will fully satisfy your dissertation committee and require no further revisions.
What an Editor Can and Cannot Do
This is what an editor can help you with:
1. Improving the writing with respect to clarity, tone, flow, and intellectual voice, as well as overall mechanics of the writing (syntax, grammar, copy errors)
2. Formatting the document with respect to margins, headings, tables, figures, front pages, references, appendices, and so forth
3. Ensuring that your paper is in accordance with your school requirements and the style manual
In addition, the editor can help you by:
4. Being a sounding board or an advisor of sorts (if yours is not readily available)
5. Coaching or offering guidance on the dissertation-writing process
6. Handholding, cheering on, offering kernels of wisdom from experience
Finally, keep in mind that no matter how much help you may need with your writing, your dissertation is your intellectual property: a reflection of your research, interpretations, and conclusions.
Best of luck to you as you endeavor in this challenging yet rewarding journey!
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Kathleen Kline has been a dissertation editor for nearly 4 decades. She is the author of De-Stressing the Dissertation and Other Forms of Academic Writing: Practical Guidance and Real-Life Stories (available on Amazon), and she is the Director of the Writing Center at the Wright Institute, a professional psychology school in Berkeley, CA. Unlike many academic editors, Kathleen does not pass off your job to another less experienced editor. She is ethical, highly experienced, personable, and caring. She can be reached at kathleen.kline@sbcglobal.net or 510-339-1629. Her website is www.kathleenkline.com.