What is being a freelance fiction editor really like?

People tend to find my job as a freelance fiction editor interesting when they hear about it. Whenever I go for an appointment and people ask me about it, they’re always keen to know more. And I’m always getting asked how to become a book editor from people who are students, or who want to work in publishing.

I thought it’d be fun to give you a rundown of what my life as a freelance editor looks like, and what I do on any given week. I’ll also include how I fit my own writing projects into my life.

When I’d been doing this for three years, I wrote a similar post for the CIEP. Now it’s been just over five years, so we’re due an updated version!

Starting out

How did I become a freelance fiction editor in the first place? Well, I’ve always been a reader and a writer. I studied English and Creative Writing at university, and as we all know (and as my lecturers constantly reminded me), writers need day jobs to support them! I’d always wanted to work in book publishing, but in the UK, unfortunately publishing is very London-centric. I don’t live in London, and I didn’t have the desire or the money to move there. It’s an expensive place to live.

When I started dealing with some health issues after university, someone suggested that I might be good at working for myself, and that it might fit more neatly into my lifestyle and needs. I started doing some critiques for authors. I’d been writing myself for a while, was in a few critique groups for my own writing, and I had author friends. I also landed a remote job proofreading and editing IT textbooks for a company after graduation, and although it wasn’t what I wanted to specialise in, I was given a lot of guidance and training by the team. I used that to pivot into working exclusively on fiction later.

A typical week for a freelance fiction editor

I’m lucky enough to be able to set my own hours, but I still like to feel like I’m in the “office”, so I start my work at 8 or 9am. On a given week, I can be working on one or two of the following projects for my clients:

• A copy or line edit
• A proofread
• A manuscript assessment
• A submission or query package

I only take on one manuscript assessment per month for my author clients. I can fit this in easily alongside something like a copyedit or a proofread, because I love having variety. Critiquing and editing are different skills, so it’s not too difficult to switch between them. I love doing manuscript assessments from what I call my comfy chair!

The time I finish up for the day can vary based on how much I have to do and my deadlines but I try to keep it between 4pm–6pm. Not all of that time is spent working on client projects, though! A good chunk of my day is spent on admin! (And being distracted by my cat because she wants attention.)

What does admin look like, when you work as a freelance fiction editor? Well, it could be any of the following:

• Responding to emails from existing clients
• Responding to new enquiries
• Invoicing
• Sending quotes and payment plans
• Booking in new and repeat clients
• Replying to work requests from publishers
• Accounting (recording payments and expenses)
• Paying taxes (ugh)
• Marketing – which includes things like this blog post!
• Social media
• Updating my website and portfolio
• Client consultations

Admin can take up quite a lot of time. I don’t have dedicated admin day, though. I find it easier to tackle things in small chunks each day. And I always try to write two blog posts a month.

How I fit my own writing into my week

It’s hard to write when you have a full-time job, even when you’re a freelancer setting your own hours. Sometimes I’m working much more than I intend to and don’t have time for writing.

For that reason, I don’t have a set routine. Writing happens in stages anyway. I might be drafting, or outlining, or thinking up new ideas. When I’m in the planning stages, I’m much looser with things. When I’m drafting I try to write consistently, and no, that doesn’t necessarily mean every day!

Being a writer and a freelance fiction editor

I know some authors would prefer to have an editor who isn’t a writer as well. But honestly, writing makes me a better editor. I’ve been learning about writing craft for a long time, even before I got into editing! I think that gave me an advantage when I started accepting clients. Because I have writing experience myself, I’m able to pass on what I’ve learned to my clients, like how to write a good synopsis. And I can understand all the emotional ups-and-downs of being a writer.

Here are some other things I do as a freelance fiction editor:

• Editing query letters
• Empathising with my authors and cheerleading for them
• Giving advice on submitting to agents
• Advising on which publication route an author might want to try
• Discussing the hard truths of the industry
• Pinpointing the age category of someone’s work
• Advising on how to make a project suitable for the target audience
• Explaining how traditional and self-publishing work

Most of my authors appreciate my knowledge of both writing and editing, and that I can relate to their struggles. I try not to impose my personal preferences on a piece of work – instead, I’m always framing it in a way that helps them reach their own goals, and the vision they have for their story.

Professional development

Professional development is so important for editors! We always have to be learning and growing our skillset. In publishing, things are always changing: new software, new methods of publishing, new trends.

My own professional development varies. Sometimes I’m watching webinars, or going to editor meetups on Zoom. I might be reading a new writing craft book. I’m constantly reading newsletters and articles about publishing and chatting to friends in the industry. I love going to bookish events in person, too!

And yes, I count reading books in the genres I edit as learning! Since I became a full-time editor, my reading rate has slowed down (I’m busy with client projects most of the time). But I still read a few books per month! A recent favourite was Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura – a must-read if you like coming-of-age stories infused with fantasy and fairy tales. Currently, I’m reading and enjoying How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie.

What does a freelance fiction editor do for fun?

When I’ve been editing all day, I tend to need something different to words for a while! I love playing video games. Right now, I’m close to finishing Final Fantasy VII: Remake, which is bringing back all the nostalgia from days spent binge-playing Final Fantasy after school. I sit down a lot, so I like doing yoga and going for long walks or hikes in the forest, too!

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And that’s what this freelance fiction editor of five years does with her time! When I make it to ten, maybe I’ll do a new post and see how things have changed.

Featured photo by Junjira Konsang from Pixabay.