An Editor Won’t Take on Just Any Manuscript — Here’s Why

If you’ve never worked with a professional book editor, you might find yourself wondering if just any editor will take on your manuscript.

There are loads of editors out there — how do you know if they’re the right one? And how do they know if they really want to work with you?

You might be thinking: What if they take on my book and hate it? 😨

Look, I’ll be honest with you. Book editing is a business. Of course we editors have our bills to pay. But that is not our only motivation for doing this work. And we never want to take on a client who is the wrong fit for us — because that means we might be the wrong fit for you too.

Any good editor wants you to have the best editing experience, even if that means it’s not with us.

We want to help authors like you elevate their stories, and we can only do that if we genuinely connect with the books we edit. 📚

But I know this might not ease all your anxiety about whether an editor will choose your book just to fill their schedule. So, in this post, we’re going to cover some practical tips and insider knowledge to help you feel more confident when you’re searching for a book editor.

What we’re covering today:

Any Potential Editor Should Be Asking Questions

Here’s the thing: when you reach out to an editor, we can’t just send you a contract and go merrily on our way. At least, that’s not how it’s supposed to work.

It’s an essential part of our job to assess if your book is a good fit for us, and this happens in several ways.

The first step usually involves asking questions. This might start with a questionnaire you’ll fill out on an editor’s website (this is my process). But along with this, more questions are usually asked in a follow-up conversation as well.

This is a great way for us to assess a few different things:

• If your book is a compatible genre for us (we all have our own expertise) 📖
• If the length suits a timeframe we can complete the edit in ⏳
• The tropes or themes of your book ✨
• A compatibility in our visions for the book and our communication styles 🗣️

All of these are super important before we even think about jumping into your manuscript. They let us know if things are feeling a little off somewhere from the start.

Tips You Can Do:

• Be ready to answer questions openly. We’re trying to get a full sense of your book and your goals, so don’t hold back!
• Think about what you want too. Before you even reach out, consider what qualities you’d like your editor to have — communication style, experience with your genre, a specific approach to feedback, etc.
• Notice how the conversation feels. If the editor’s questions feel thoughtful and intentional, it’s a good sign that they’re taking the collaboration seriously.

The Sample Edit

If you’re looking into editors to help you with your book, and you run across one that doesn’t offer sample edits, I’d say to run the other way. 🚨🚩

I’m gonna pull back the curtain a little bit for you. Do sample edits cost us editors time? Yes, they do. But they are a crucial tool for both us and the author.

This is the first glimpse we’re getting of your book. It’s going to tell us if we enjoy your style of writing, if the story gets us excited the way we hoped it would (based on those questions we asked), and if we even think you need the type of editing you’re requesting.

And for you, it’s gonna give you a good idea of the type of editing we do:

• Does our style fit what you want?
• Are the notes easy to navigate for you?
• Would you prefer someone who’s a bit more gentle or more direct with critiques?

See why it’s so important? It’s a tool that accomplishes so much and can really make or break an editing team (us editors and the author). This is the stage where we really find out if the collaboration can work.

And if it doesn’t feel like a good fit for us as the editor, we should say no. 🚫
Any good editor will do exactly that.

Tips for You:

• Don’t settle if you think an editor isn’t the right fit. We will understand — not every editor can fit the needs of every author (in the same way no book can satisfy every reader).
• Ask questions! This process is a two-way street. We’re going to ask lots of questions, and it’s good if you do too. We want you to be comfortable and confident in the process.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off after the sample edit or initial communication, it’s okay to walk away. The right editor will want you to find your best fit.

Tips to Assess if an Editor Is a Good Fit for You

I’ve gone over a good bit of things we editors do to make sure we’re a good fit for you. But you might still be asking: How do I figure out if an editor is a good fit for me?
I don’t want them to just take on my manuscript to fill their schedule or because they’re too nice to say no.

This is completely understandable! Here’s a few tips you can use:

• Look over the sample edit carefully. Do the editor’s notes actually help you improve your pages? Do they seem to “get” the heart of your story? If not, it might be a sign to keep looking.
• Ask about their experience with your genre and writing style. If they’re newer, they might not have a huge portfolio yet, but they should still be familiar with and passionate about your genre.
• Pay attention to the style of their feedback. Is it clear, kind, and actionable? Does it match the type of support you need?
• Evaluate communication. Were they responsive to your emails? Were instructions and expectations clear? Smooth communication will be key throughout your whole edit.
• Notice if they deliver what was promised. Did they send the sample edit in the timeframe they said they would? Was the feedback thorough and aligned with what they outlined? Reliability early on is a great indicator of how seriously they’ll take your project.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Best-Fit Editor

Choosing your perfect editor is hard enough without having to worry if they’re just booking you to fill their client roster.

You deserve an editor who’s genuinely excited about your story — one who sees the potential in your work and wants to help you bring out the best in it. ✨📚

Finding that perfect-fit collaboration will not only strengthen your story, it’ll make the whole revision process smoother, more empowering, and (dare I say) even more fun.

Take your time. Trust your instincts. Ask lots of questions.
You and your book are worth the extra care.

Ready to find an editor who’s the right fit for you?

If you’re interested in working with an editor who values personalized feedback, clear communication, and deep respect for your creative vision, I’d love to invite you to check out my editing services. (And don’t worry, I won’t take you on only to fill my schedule.)