6 Questions To Ask An Editor Before Working With Them

Working with an editor for the first time is a big deal. There is a lot to consider beyond the financial and timeline logistics. Your editor will be among the first people to read your book, so you need to make sure they are the right editor for you.

You may have done the work to find a reputable editor. Perhaps you found them online or were recommended to them by another writer friend. Whatever the case, once you have someone in mind, it’s time to really get to know them and decide if you are the right fit for each other.

6 questions you can ask an editor to get to know them

1. Do you work with my genre often?

You want to make sure your chosen editor has the experience and knowledge to conduct the best possible edit of your book. That means being familiar with your genre or being able to provide the right perspective to help you see what you’re not seeing.

Most editors list on their website which genres they work with or specialise in. They should also be willing to tell you if your book is a genre they don’t or can’t work in. An editor may have a broad genre knowledge or interest, but it doesn’t mean they should accept anything and everything. They need to be passionate about your book so they can do their best work.

2. What’s your style of feedback?

A lot of writers can be nervous about how the editor will give feedback. If you’re concerned about this, ask them. They should be able to tell you exactly how they deliver feedback so you know if it’s a style that will work for you.

They may even be able to show you examples of previous client work (assuming they have client permission to do so). Experienced editors will have a style and a certain way they like to provide feedback. If you are looking for a certain approach this is something that should be discussed.

3. Do you often work with first-time writers?

Are you giving this editor the first novel you’ve ever penned? It might be helpful to know if they work with first-time writers often.

Some editors detail that they don’t work with first-time writers. First-time writers make a lot of the same mistakes and may require a lot more care and attention than someone who has already written several (unpublished) books. If you are a first-time writer who wants feedback on their first novel, it doesn’t hurt to let the editor know this and check if they are able to help.

4. Do you offer a sample edit?

Some editors offer sample edits. This is a free edit usually of the first 1,000-2,000 words of your book. This is easier for line and copyedits than developmental edits due to the style of editing, but it is still worth asking.

A sample edit is designed to give you a taste of the kind of work that is involved in the edit as well as the style of the editor. When I do sample edits of developmental edits I read through the sample and then reply to the writer detailing what I thought worked well and what I noticed could be improved. This gives them an idea of the kinds of things a developmental edit will pick up on.

5. Can we arrange a video call first?

If you're nervous and you want to get to know the editor better by meeting them face-to-face then ask if you can arrange a video call.

Some editors may not offer this as an option before booking in with them, but many would be willing to oblige. Or, if they are not up to a video call, they may suggest a regular phone call. Not every editor is comfortable hosting a video call, so it is not always a red flag if they are uncomfortable with the prospect.

6. What happens after the edit?

Sometimes editors offer a call at the end of an edit or some way for the writer to ask them any follow-up questions. If you want to know exactly what to expect once you’ve received their feedback then ask them what the process is. It’s important to be clear on how the service will be wrapped up and what follow-up you might receive. The editor should be able to give you a breakdown of how the process will work and what you can expect to ensure you feel confident and clear moving ahead.

Editor-writer relationship best practices

Working with an editor should be a positive experience for both parties, so it’s important to make sure you establish a solid writer-editor relationship. Here are some ways to ensure a solid working relationship.

• Communicate openly. If you are concerned or unclear about anything, let them know. If you need an alternative payment plan, tell them. Editors want to be as accommodating as possible, so if you have concerns make sure you voice them.

• Respect boundaries. For writers, it’s important to remember that you’re not the editors only client and they won’t be able to answer emails 24/7. A good working relationship is built around mutual trust and respect.

• Be prompt. Being prompt looks like delivering the manuscript, responding to emails, and paying invoice on time. For editors, being prompt means delivering the edit on time (unless an extension has been agreed on), replying to emails in a timely manner, and keeping the writer in the loop so they never feel unsure of what to expect.

If you’ve been considering working with an editor or coach, you can learn more about how my 1:1 coaching helps writers remove the overwhelm of planning, drafting and revising their novels. Or you can look into how my developmental editing can help you refine your manuscript so it’s query and publication-ready.