6 Pieces of Advice I’d Give to Aspiring Book Editors: Part 2
I loved sharing my editorial advice to those interested in entering the field. If you haven’t seen the first blog post, you can check it out here.
Being a book editor is rewarding and creative and often surprising. And while there are so many parts of this job that I love, there are also plenty of parts I wish someone had told me about before I got started.
So, for a realistic look at what to consider before becoming a book editor, read on.
#1 Learn how to give constructive feedback
This is absolutely vital. If you’re going to make it as an editor, you need to provide quality constructive feedback.
There’s a good chance the writers you work with will have never worked with an editor before, and understandably, they’ll be nervous about sharing their work. Don’t demoralise them by being harsh. Don’t only point out what isn’t working. Give clear, specific, kind feedback to support and guide them. Your feedback should point out what needs work as well as what’s working, and it should provide them with solutions and suggestions, not just criticism.
#2 Get comfortable on video calls
I hated the idea of video calls when I started out. In 2019, I’d never been on a video call by myself, only with my in-house team of editors. I felt way too inexperienced and introverted to lead a video call, so I put it off for years.
The key is to practice. Try to get used to speaking on Instagram stories and participating in other live calls where you aren’t leading. I found that working with business coaches really helped me because I got to see how they interacted with me as the client — or even the potential client when we were just getting to know each other. It gave me an idea of what I should be doing.
Getting comfortable on video calls is a huge advantage to working freelance so you can offer it as an option to your writers or as part of your service packages.
#3 Have an air-tight contract
This is perhaps one of the most important parts of your business. Before you book any projects at all, you better have a contract and it better be good.
Cover all your bases because you will, inevitably, have someone who tries to take you for a ride and you’ll be depending on that contract to ensure you get the money you’re owed.
But remember, your contract isn’t just about you, it’s about the writer as well. A contract is a professional agreement that will outline the scope of your work and reassure them that you won’t be stealing their ideas or leaving them hanging. A contract needs to benefit both parties.
#4 Respect your own boundaries
It can be extremely hard as a business owner and a newbie in the field to have boundaries. The impulse to lower your rates, take on any work you can get, and go above and beyond for your client is strong. Believe me, I’ve been there.
But you have to respect yourself, your time, and your experience. You are worth paying for. You are deserving of a break. You don’t need to answer work emails at 10pm. Set boundaries with yourself and with your clients so you can preserve your energy, focus and time.
#5 Learn how to be self-motivated
If you’re not naturally someone who is self-motivated, then you’ll need to learn to be. If you’re working for yourself, you won’t have anyone setting deadlines and boundaries, checking on your work, or keeping you accountable. It’s up to you. Experience will teach you how you work best and how to put systems in place to maximise your productivity. Experience will also teach you how fast you can work and therefore what deadlines you should be setting for your projects.
#6 Be genuine
Your clients are real people. Be honest. Be transparent. Be genuine. They’ll smell BS if you’re trying to sell it.
Don’t try to create a business brand or image that isn’t true to who you are, what you do, and who you serve. Don’t take on projects you’re not truly passionate about or knowledgeable in. Don’t be fake to your clients. You’re only going to let them down and eventually burn out by trying to be something you’re not.
Be yourself and let that speak to the right people.
