Need a ghostwriter or editor for your book?

I have two pieces of  advice about hiring writing/editing help:

• look for someone specifically experienced with the conventions and limitations of book projects and

• find a helper who has worked on other books about your subject (or for your audience) so they know how your reader thinks, will absorb your info and respond.

You might want to start by reading this excellent Writer’s Digest article defining the six types of editing, so you know the terms of the services you seek.

Then, consider approaching various current authors in your sector to get referrals to their helpers. Or do a LinkedIn search for “xyz subject area book freelance ghostwriter (or editor)”.

Another option is to look for specialists in your industry by reviewing bios and sending email queries using any of the industry’s major lists of freelance writing professionals:

American Copy Editors Society (ACES) has over 1,000 professionals listed in its editors for hire directory.

American Society of Journalists and Authors is the largest professional association of independent nonfiction freelance writers with 1,100 members, 200+ of whom have book experience.

Association of Ghostwriters has nearly 100 members in its directory.

Author One Stop has staff who provide both editing and ghostwriting services.

• Authority Publishing profiles a dozen nonfiction ghostwriters below its list of book coaches.

Bay Area Editors’ Forum lists 200+ writing professionals.

Book Editors Alliance‘s 15 members each have a minimum of 15 years New York publishing experience.

bookbuzzr‘s Directory of Book Editing Services lists over 40 editors.

Editorial Freelancers Association has 3,000 members, with a searchable membership directory plus a job board that’s free to post projects on.

FirstEditing is an editing service with a webpage for nonfiction projects.

Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) is one of the most influential associations in independent publishing, and its Supplier and Services Discovery Database lists 85 providers of editorial services..

Independent Editors Group is New York’s premier association of editors, book doctors and ghostwriters, with a dozen editors who have each edited over 100 books.

National Association of Independent Writers and Editors has 300+ members plus a free job/project posting service.

Nonfiction Authors Association has a list of editors.

Northwest Editors Guild, with its 400 members, has a page of info about types and costs of editing plus an extensive member directory.

Professional Editors Network (PEN) has 140+ members, over 100 of whom are editors. You can also post a project for free.

• Publishers Marketplace lists 131 editors, 453 writers and 109 members offering editorial services.

Reedsy is a directory of dozens of types of publishing experts, including 150 nonfiction ghostwriters and 1,400+ nonfiction editors.

San Diego Professional Editors Network (SDPEN) lists over 80 members.

Best of luck on your search, and let us know of others we should include.