In today's Editorial Elevenses I discussed places to find editorial professionals and things to keep in mind when searching for an editor. You can see today's Editorial Elevenses here.
Take your time when finding an editor. As I said in the video, it's similar to finding the right doctor. You want to find someone who is compatible, who cares about your work.
So where do you find an editor? There are many places to look:
The Editorial Freelancers Association is the best place to start, especially if you're in the US. In addition to having a searchable membership directory and free job listings, they have a lot of useful resources for writers. They have members all over the world but members are located primarily in the US.
If you're in the UK, start with the Society for Editors and Proofreaders. They, too, have members all over the world but most members are UK-based.
If you're in Canada, the place to start is Editors Canada.
Since most workflows are digital, it doesn't matter where your editor is based since, in theory, the work can be done from anywhere. However, it's helpful if you and your editor share a common language. If your book is written in American English, an editor in Australia who is most familiar with Australian English might not be the best fit.
Other place to find an editor:
Talk to authors who have written books similar to yours. Find out who they worked with and see if they're willing to give a referral. Organizations for writers are another avenue. There is an organization for just about every kind of writing and editors will join so they can connect with authors.
Other options are Thumbtack and Fiverr, but you'll need to vet candidates carefully. Remember, find the best editor you can afford, not the cheapest one you can find.