How to Send an Enquiry to a Potential Book Editor or Writing Coach
Reaching out for support in your writing is a big step, so it’s understandably daunting. If you’ve been thinking about working with a book editor or writing coach but aren’t sure what to say or what to expect, this post is for you.
Sending a strong enquiry can make all the difference and ensure that you start the ball rolling as quickly as possible. By having a clear approach to enquiries, you can pique an editor or coach’s interest about working with you.
#1 Give the facts
When you send an enquiry — whether by email or direct message on social media — make sure you’re including all the necessary facts. These are:
Your genre and audience (eg: YA fantasy)
Your word count (or estimated word count)
A short summary of the book
Which service you’re interested in
Any specific deadlines or questions
For example:
Hi [Name]. I am looking for developmental editing for my 80k-word middle grade fantasy novel. It’s about young orphan Harry who lives with his unkind aunt and uncle and discovers that he’s a wizard accepted into an elite boarding school to learn magic. During the school year, Harry discovers that the dark wizard who killed his parents is trying to steal a magical item in the school to restore his strength and power. He and his two best friends must try to stop him.
I expect I’ll be finished with my revisions in the next three months. Could you please let me know your availability around that time and a quote?
Thank you,
Writer
#2 What happens next
Most editors and coaches will suggest one of two things as the next step — they’ll either ask for a short sample of your writing to get a feel for the story and your style, or they’ll suggest a quick video call to get to know you. Both of these should be free.
By reading a sample or jumping on a call, the editor/coach can get a feel for your style and story and know for certain if they’ll be the best fit for you and if the service you’re after is definitely the right option for your book.
#3 Best practice tips
For a successful enquiry and working relationship, here is what I’d suggest:
Communicate professionally and politely. It pays to make a good first impression to the editor or coach. You should expect the same professionalism from them in return.
Try to be prompt. I know life is busy, but being prompt will work in your favour. Your editor is more likely to want to work with someone reliable, but it also means you can book with them without risking the space being filled. Likewise, you should expect them to respond to your emails in a timely manner, not leave you waiting for days or weeks.
Communicate any concerns. Editing and coaching isn’t cheap, I know. So if you have any concerns about payments, start dates, deadlines, etc., make sure you tell your editor/coach this. They need to know these things in order to best support you and to avoid any confusion or complications down the line.
Don’t ghost them. If you decide that an editor or coach you’ve reached out to isn’t the best fit for you, tell them. Editors and coaches will expect you to be in contact with multiple people, so if you don’t want to move forward, let them know so they can open their calendar to someone else. You might even tell them why you didn’t choose them.
Reaching out to a book editor or writing coach is a big step. It can also be a lot of information to take in, considering different quotes, timelines, payment plans, etc. The most important thing is that you choose someone you feel comfortable communicating with and who you believe truly has your book’s best interests at heart.
