National Association of Independent Writing Evaluators- Reading Room
Because writers shouldn't have to work alone.
How to Choose the Best Writing Evaluator for Your Needs
Janice Campbell
The right writing evaluator can bring out the best in a book or manuscript, but in order for this to happen, you must choose the right editor for the job. Although there is some overlap in the specialties, the best writing evaluators have a specific focus. As you search the database, you'll want to look for an evaluator whose experience matches your needs. For example:
- If you want an evaluator to help you develop a non-fiction book and coach you through the writing process, you will need to look for a writing coach with experience in non-fiction.
- If you are a graduate student looking for an evaluator to fact-check a master's thesis in physics, you need an academic evaluator with an advanced degree in physics.
- If you have written a how-to book, and you're not sure if it's organized well enough for a lay reader, you may need a developmental editor with experience in non-fiction editing.
- If you are a fiction writer, it's very important to choose an evaluator, often a writing coach, with extensive experience and credentials in editing the kind of fiction--literary, genre, juvenile--you are writing.
- If you have a completed manuscript and you just need to have it edited for clarity and conventions (mechanics), you probably need a copyeditor.
- If you and your writing coach or instructor are happy with the content of your book, and you just need to double-check the mechanics, a proofreader will help to ensure that your copy is error-free.
- If you're a homeschool parent looking for a writing mentor for your student, you'll want to start with academic evaluators and coaches who specialize in your student's grade level.
- If you're a self-publisher, consider using a project editor to guide your project from start to finish, or assemble a team of evaluators as suggested in the Self-Publisher's Checklist.
Here are a few things to consider as you search for the writing evaluator that will meet your needs.
What type of evaluating professional do you need?
No matter what type of project you are working on, there is an evaluator that can help you. The primary specialties include:
- Academic evaluator
- Copyeditor
- Developmental editor
- Fiction editor
- Multimedia editor
- Newsletter editor
- Non-fiction editor
- Project editor
- Proofreader
- Writing coach
- Writing tutor
Most experienced evaluators specialize in evaluating only one type of manuscript, or providing one type of service:
- Fact Checking
- Fiction-all
- Fiction-genre
- Fiction-juvenile
- Fiction-literary
- Fiction-screen-play
- Fiction-short
- Multimedia editing
- Newsletter editing
- Non-fiction-academic
- Non-fiction-all
- Non-fiction-biography / memoir
- Non-fiction-business
- Non-fiction-medical
- Non-fiction-scientific / technical
- Permissions
- Project editing
- Research
- Rewriting
- Structural editing
- Stylistic editing
- Substantive editing
- Website text editing
Be sure to pay attention to the experience and specialties of any evaluator you are considering. To be included in the NAIWE searchable database, each member posts a profile and a portfolio of samples on his or her NAIWE website, so that you can review his or her specialty and level of experience. This makes it easy to select the evaluator that is right for you!
Janice Campbell, Director of the National Association of Independent Writing Evaluators, has worked as a freelance writer, editor, coach, and speaker since the late 1980's.