NF editors: better to know - or not know - your subject?

sharjo · May 21, 2014

I'll soon be looking for a copy editor for my self-published nonfiction book, but I'm unsure whether to seek out someone with knowledge of my subject or without.

Somebody with knowledge of my subject might pick up on a factual oddity that maybe my (subject-savvy) beta readers wouldn't. But someone with totally fresh eyes might be more likely to notice logic leaps or missing pieces that those people's brains would automatically fill in.

This would be for proofreading, not developmental editing.

Thoughts? Is there a rule of thumb for this?

Old Hack · May 21, 2014

As a non-fiction editor of many years' standing I'd always look for an editor with experience in the field. You get two bangs for your buck: an understanding of the subject, and editorial expertise.

NDoyle · May 21, 2014

As someone who can (and does) provide this kind of service, I strongly recommend an editor with expertise in your topic. Someone with genuine expertise in both editing and the subject matter is very likely pick up on those kinds of problems you think that a non-expert beta reader would.

sharjo · May 22, 2014

Thank you both! I'll do exactly that.

WeaselFire · May 24, 2014

What kind of editor? Often you'll have copy editors to straighten out the basics, grammar, book flow, etc. Plus a technical editor to correct or work with the subject matter. And, in non-fiction published through a traditional process, the publisher itself will have experience in your line of books.

Jeff

veinglory · May 24, 2014

The best editor is one who knows what you were trying to say even when you fail to do so, and therefore how to fix it. That is the subject expert.

Lil · May 25, 2014

It depends on the target audience for your book. If it is intended for specialists in the field, then yes, you want someone who knows the subject. If it is intended for the lay reader, then a copyeditor who doesn't know the subject will be able to say, "I don't understand this. Do you mean X or Y?"

NDoyle · May 25, 2014

As I said before--and I'll expand on this--if someone genuinely knows the subject matter and is a competent copy editor (especially one with experience with your intended readership [popular? scholarly?]), they will be able to notice the kinds of things that Lil refers to, as well as issues with the subject matter.

Old Hack · May 25, 2014

Lil said:
It depends on the target audience for your book. If it is intended for specialists in the field, then yes, you want someone who knows the subject. If it is intended for the lay reader, then a copyeditor who doesn't know the subject will be able to say, "I don't understand this. Do you mean X or Y?"

The problem with an editor or a copy editor who doesn't know the subject is that they're not going to know what they've missed, or what they've got wrong. They're not going to be able to spot inaccuracies in your writing. It's not good.

Debbie V · May 27, 2014

I agree that you need an editor who knows your topic.

If the work is intended for a lay audience, you may also want a beta reader without subject knowledge. You are interested in whether or not that reader can follow what you've written. I don't think this requires any expertise though someone with experience may be better able to explain what they aren't getting.

NF editors: better to know - or not know - your subject?

sharjo

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

NDoyle

Writer, Editor, Photographer

sharjo

WeaselFire

Benefactor Member

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Lil

NDoyle

Writer, Editor, Photographer

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Debbie V

Mentoring Myself and Others