What is this mysterious person – an editor – that some people say I need to employ to produce my book?

I get amused when on a forum: Createspace or Amazon, a would be writer asks “Do I need and editor?”

I want to scream – WHAT TYPE OF EDITOR? There are many types, of which the following is only a sample.

Acquisitions Editor

• Finds and signs authors with publishable work or book proposals that fit the publisher's goals.

Project Editor

• Responsible for setting and maintaining editorial standards. (House Style).

Developmental Editor

• Collaborates with the author from an early stage to develop a work, that they might publish.

Copy editor

• Corrects errors in grammar, usage, and consistency
• Queries the author with questions about conflicting statements or facts and incorporates the changes

Proofreader

• Scours the typeset manuscript for typos and other errors.

But I suppose all they are asking is do I need someone to proofread my book.

So next time someone says I am an experienced editor, and used to work at “Lick Your Lips” magazine ask: “What type of editor?”