10 Smart Questions to Ask a Book Coach or Editor Before You Hire Them
You’ve spent weeks, months, possibly even years (okay, for most of us it is years) dreaming about this writing project. Like many on this journey, you’re considering hiring an editor or book coach to guide and motivate you through the process. But how do you find and choose the right person to bring into such a personal project?
There are countless publishing resources out there; and all of us have different experiences, energies, personalities, and working styles. It is so important that authors feel empowered and informed in asking the right questions to decide who is best for them.
Whether you're looking for a developmental editor or book coach, these questions will help you navigate the conversation with confidence.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Editing and coaching approach, evident skill, style, and process are all important elements to consider in a book coach or editor. Credentials and experience are so important, and they’re very tactical details you can confirm pretty quickly. However, compatibility matters just as much if not more than deep experience.
So, asking thoughtful, personal questions in a one-on-one conversation is the best way to make a confident decision regarding who to bring with on your creative journey.
Not quite sure if you need a book coach, a developmental editor—or maybe both? Check out my guide to choosing between the two → It’ll help you clarify what kind of support fits best with your goals and writing stage.
10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Book Coach or Editor
What’s your process like, and how do you work with clients?
An experienced editor should be able to confidently and clearly explain their work and collaboration process. After they’ve answered, make sure you completely understand how they can take you from where you are now to your end goal—a beautiful, polished manuscript you’re excited to share with the world. If there’s still ambiguity for you, ask them to clarify.
Curious what a clear, personalized process looks like? Take a look at how I coach authors through every stage of their book project →
2. What kind of books do you typically work on?
It’s ideal if the editor or coach has worked on several titles within your desired genre and niche. However, don’t be turned off if they have a diverse project list. An editor with proven agility between project types is likely stronger in all facets of manuscript development.
3. What range of services do you offer?
Many book coaches and editors will have at least a few services to offer, often ranging in intensity from content editing and developmental editing to even ghostwriting. Although we all have unique service offerings, I’d advise to be wary of any independent publishing professional offering too many high-touch services—like developmental editing, book coaching, internal book layout, book cover design, and book marketing services all in one.
These are all incredibly nuanced and complex pieces of the publishing process, and it would be incredibly difficult to provide the highest quality product in all of these areas as an independent consultant. That said, most reputable editors should be able to provide some guidance on other great publishing resources or paths to consider after their services conclude.
4. How do you tailor your approach to each author’s goals and experience?
After they’ve explained their general process, they should be able to share how they may tweak or adjust it depending on your goals or experience. For example, some authors I work with are admittedly not huge readers themselves, which usually means they need more help in the drafting stages than an author who has her PhD and has been published in several journals. A solid editor will understand each author has unique strengths and growth areas and fill the support in where necessary. No project is the same.
5. What’s your availability and typical timeline for projects like mine?
A reputable editor will be honest about their bandwidth, and don’t be surprised if a quality editor can’t take on your project for a few months. Many will offer bridge services that will get authors started in the drafting or editing process before the project ramps up; they should also provide a timeline range for a typical project.
6. What do you need from me to get started?
Established editors will have an identified onboarding process that includes things like a services contract, deposit, scheduling, etc. There also may be things like questionnaires or forms for authors to share authors they admire, professional details or goals, and any writing or research done up to that point. This will help the editor prepare for the first project call.
7. What are your rates, and what’s included in your fee?
Make sure they can explain their payment structure clearly. Asking what is included in the rate is also important. Some editors or book coaches will get you to a first full draft, but that doesn’t mean the manuscript will be publisher ready.
Others, like me, bundle their higher services, ensuring the final product is a polished, finalized manuscript prepared to industry standard. Make sure you understand what level of service they are offering for their rate.
8. How do you provide feedback—written, live, both?
Whether you’re looking for a book coach to flesh out your idea, outline, and first and final drafts with or a developmental editor who can provide clarity and structure to your working draft, an editor or coach should be offering a blend of one-on-one calls and written feedback in their services. Due to the nature of books, a ton of the work I do with clients happens inside the documents we share. However, book coaching requires a lot of aligning, brainstorming, discussing, and adjustment, so it naturally requires more one-on-one conversation than developmental editing. Even with my developmental editing clients, I am definitely speaking with them at the start of the project as well as somewhere in between. Make sure your editing partner doesn’t avoid chatting over the phone altogether, as there are valuable—dare I say essential—conversations happening in these sessions.
I break down what’s included in each of my services so you know exactly what to expect. Compare my book coaching and editing services here →
9. Can I see samples or testimonials from past clients?
Any solid editorial partner should be open to sharing a project portfolio with you. These details are often set as evergreen pages on business websites, so to take this a step further, you could ask them to share the project they’re most proud of and why or the project that most closely resembles yours.
Want to see the kinds of projects I’ve supported? Browse some of my recent client collaborations →
10. What kind of authors tend to thrive in your process?
If an editor can describe client attributes that lead to better outcomes, it means they’re paying close attention to the people—not just the projects—they’re working with. When deciding if someone is the right fit for my services, I don’t often consider their writing experience as a key factor, as that’s what I am here for. What I do pay attention to is how passionate they are about their idea, how defined their goals are, and how they plan to help others with their book. If they can clearly share these ideas, I know they have the passion to collaborate productively and get their book out into the world with my help.
How to Choose the Right Fit
After asking just a few of these thoughtful questions, you should start to understand if an editor or coach offers the clarity, chemistry, and approach that makes you feel most engaged, empowered, and comfortable. Did you leave the call feeling excited about the direction your project is taking? Did you learn a bit about the book-writing and publishing process? Great! If not, keep looking!
If you’re still sorting through your options, I’d love to be part of the conversation.
It’s quite common to interview several resources for projects like this. Saying no or “not right now” is totally acceptable and any editing professional will thank you for your time and wish you all the best in your publishing journey.
Still Unsure? I’d Love to Help.
I’m always happy to talk through your options and see if I’m the right fit—or point you toward someone who might be.
Rebecca Andersen is a developmental editor and book coach helping thought leaders and changemakers bring their books to life.