Do I Need an Editor Before an Agent?

As an author preparing to enter the publishing world, you’re likely facing a common dilemma: “Do I need an editor before an agent?” This question troubles many aspiring writers who want to put their best foot forward but aren’t sure if editorial services are a necessary step in the traditional publishing journey.

The short answer is: it depends on your specific situation, but generally, professional editing before querying agents is not required. Let’s explore why.

The Traditional Publishing Path

In traditional publishing, literary agents typically expect to receive manuscripts that need some level of editing. This is normal and expected. After all, part of an agent’s job is to help polish your manuscript before submitting it to publishers.

If an agent signs you, they’ll often provide editorial feedback themselves or direct you toward revisions that will make your manuscript more marketable. As Jane Friedman explains in her comprehensive guide to publishing, once a publisher acquires your book, you’ll work with their in-house editors to further refine your work.

When You Might NOT Need an Editor Before Querying

1. Your writing skills are strong – If you have a good command of language, storytelling, and structure, and have revised thoroughly
2. You have reliable critique partners or beta readers – Feedback from experienced readers can catch many issues
3. You’re working with a limited budget – Professional editing is expensive and may not be necessary at this stage
4. You’ve revised extensively on your own – Multiple self-editing passes can significantly improve your manuscript

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When You MIGHT Benefit from an Editor Before Querying

1. You’re consistently receiving form rejections – If agents aren’t requesting more material, your query or opening pages might need work
2. You’re new to writing – Less experienced writers often benefit from professional guidance
3. English isn’t your first language – An editor can help polish language usage
4. Your story has complex elements – An editor might help with plot holes or pacing issues in complicated narratives
5. You have the budget for it – If you can afford editing without financial strain, it might give you more confidence

According to Writer’s Digest, many agents report that they don’t expect manuscripts to be professionally edited, but they do expect them to be polished and ready for submission.

Types of Editing to Consider

If you do decide to work with an editor before querying, consider which type of editing would benefit you most:

• Developmental editing – Addresses big-picture issues like plot, character, and structure
• Line editing – Focuses on sentence-level improvements for clarity and style
• Copy editing – Corrects grammar, spelling, and consistency issues
• Proofreading – Catches remaining typos and formatting problems

For most pre-agent scenarios, developmental editing or a manuscript evaluation would be most valuable, as agents are primarily concerned with concept and execution rather than minor typos. Contact us to understand how we can help you edit your manuscript and get published.

Finding the Right Resources

If you’re still wondering “Do I need an editor before an agent?” and want to explore editing options, The Editorial Freelancers Association offers a searchable directory of qualified editors with experience in various genres.

For those on a budget, consider joining a writing group like those found on Critique Circle or Scribophile, where you can exchange feedback with other writers at no cost.

Before making your decision, You might want to check out our Authors Hub to understand the cost, whether it’s worth it, and the investment involved

The Bottom Line

While professional editing can improve your manuscript, it’s not a requirement for finding an agent. Most important is submitting your absolute best work—whether that’s achieved through self-editing, critique partners, or professional help.

As literary agent Janet Reid notes on her blog, agents are looking for potential, not perfection. A compelling story with a unique voice will often outweigh minor technical issues that can be fixed later in the publishing process.

Your time might be better spent researching appropriate agents for your work, crafting an excellent query letter, and polishing those crucial first pages that will determine whether agents request more. Our guide on How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Requests can help you with this critical step.

So, “Do I need an editor before an agent?” Ultimately, the answer depends on your specific circumstances, but many successful authors have secured representation without hiring professional editors first.

What’s your manuscript situation? Are you ready to query, or do you feel your work needs more refinement before taking that step? Leave a comment below or check out our Authors Hub to learn how we can help you get published and become a successful author.