Red Flags When Choosing An Editor

Gary Smailes | 5 November 2025

Unrealistic Promises and Guarantee Red Flags

You will hear big promises. They sound sweet when you are tired and hopeful. They rarely hold up.

Guaranteed bestseller. Guaranteed agent or publisher interest. No editor controls readers, retailers, or gatekeepers. Markets shift. Algorithms change. An agent says no for reasons outside your pages. A pro talks about pages, not outcomes no one controls.

The cousin of the guarantee is the comparison. Your book will be the next [insert blockbuster]. Flattery sells, then disappoints. A professional uses comps to guide decisions on tone, length, tropes, and audience fit. Not to predict stardom. Listen for language like this: here is where your book sits on the shelf, here are reader expectations in this lane, here is how we will meet them. No hype, only work.

Beware the praise parade. No changes needed. Perfect manuscript. If you hear this before a meaningful read, walk away. Every draft benefits from fresh eyes. Even a clean draft improves with sharper beats, more precise word choice, and tighter continuity. An honest editor points to two or three clear wins first, then explains gaps and next steps. That balance matters.

Speed promises deserve scrutiny. Full-manuscript edit in 48 hours. Let us do some math. An 80,000-word novel over two days means forty thousand words per day. That leaves no time for a careful read, a second pass, a style sheet, or a note that explains choices. Quality editing involves reading, thinking, testing fixes, and checking consistency. That takes time.

What a pro says instead:

• No sales guarantees. My job is stronger pages. Results live in reader hands.
• No hype. I will place your book within a category, then edit toward those standards.
• No empty praise. I will show wins, then mark changes with Track Changes and comments.
• No rush magic. I will give you a schedule, with milestones and room for questions.

A quick story. A thriller writer paid for a guaranteed bestseller package. The service promised a two-day turnaround and launch support. The edit missed continuity errors, mislabeled weapons, and left the midpoint sagging. The launch day fizzled. Money gone, trust broken, book wounded. A year later, the writer hired a steady editor. Slower timeline, no promises. They fixed structure, sharpened scenes, and cleaned prose. Reviews went from one star rants about confusion to solid fours praising pace and clarity. No miracle. Only careful work.

How to test promises in the moment:

• Ask, what outcomes do you stand behind? Look for on-page outcomes. Clearer prose. Tighter structure. Fewer errors. A complete style sheet. A focused edit letter.
• Ask, how do you measure success? You want answers tied to the text. Fewer continuity misses in later books. Faster proofing since the style sheet catches choices. More form requests after a query overhaul, noted as a trend, not a guarantee.
• Ask, how long will you need for my word count and edit level? A steady timeline shows respect for the work.
• Ask, what will I see in the file? Expect Track Changes, margin queries, a style sheet, and a memo that explains patterns.

Listen for hedges and weasel words. Secret algorithm. Guaranteed chart position. Access to agents. Exclusive lists. Editors do not own those levers. The strongest signal of quality is boring in the best way. A clear scope, a fair price, and a process you can follow.

A quick gut check helps. Rewrite any promise into a promise about the page. Guaranteed bestseller becomes stronger hook and cleaner first ten pages. If the new version feels thin, the promise did nothing for your book.

What a trustworthy editor sounds like:

• I will not promise an agent. I will help your pitch match current norms in your category.
• I will not guess at sales. I will make a plan for structure, pacing, and clarity.
• I will not call your draft perfect. I will name strengths, then outline revisions with examples.
• I will not rush a full edit in days. I will schedule passes, leave time to think, and answer your questions after delivery.

You deserve frank talk. You deserve goals tied to pages you can improve. You deserve timelines that honor the work.

Action:

• Favor editors who set realistic outcomes tied to on-page results.
• Ask for a paid sample from the middle of a chapter. Review how they preserve voice while fixing problems.
• Request a timeline with stages and review windows.
• Walk away from guarantees, hype, empty praise, and rush offers for large projects.

Vague Services and Pricing Transparency Issues

Vague service pages and fuzzy prices waste time and money. Clarity protects your book and your budget.

Know what you are buying

A professional offers a paid sample and a clear list of deliverables. No sample edit at all, or a promise to “look over a few pages for free,” tells you nothing. A paid sample shows method and depth. It also shows how the editor handles your voice.

Ask for specifics:

• Word count of the sample and where they will edit from. Middle pages show real habits.
• What the sample includes. Track Changes, margin notes, and a short memo.
• What tools they use. Style guide, style sheet, and versioning.

If the answer sounds like fog, pause. You deserve to know what work will happen to your pages.

One size does not fit all

Editing levels do different jobs. When an editor sells “full edit” without details, expect mismatched expectations and thin results.

A quick map:

• Developmental editing addresses structure, pacing, character arcs, plot logic, and scene order. You receive an edit letter, margin notes, and a plan.
• Line editing focuses on flow at the sentence and paragraph level. Rhythm, tone, imagery, repetition, and clarity. You receive Track Changes throughout, with comments on choices and patterns.
• Copyediting fixes grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, consistency, and fact slips. You receive corrected pages and a style sheet.
• Proofreading catches remaining errors after layout. Last pass for typos, spacing, page numbers, and layout glitches.

A fast example with one sentence:

Original: “She walked into the room, which was small, and she thought that it was kind of cold.”

• Developmental note: Why this scene now. What changes for the character. Does the beat move the story.
• Line edit: “She stepped into the small room. The air bit her skin.”
• Copyedit: Hyphenation and comma checks. Consistency with your chosen dictionary.
• Proofread: Final check for stray spaces or missing period after revision.

If an editor treats all levels as one blur, your book pays the price.

Pricing that makes no sense

Rates tell a story. Extremely low rates often signal inexperience or a rushed pass. Extremely high rates should come with serious credentials, samples that back the claim, and a scope that earns the figure.

Ask for:

• A per-word equivalent for each service level.
• A breakdown of what is included. Passes, edit letter length, number of follow-up calls, and delivery format.
• The timeline tied to your word count and the level of edit.
• What triggers a price change. Heavy revisions, large increases in word count, or major rework during the edit.

If the quote is vague, ask again. If the response dances around numbers, walk.

Hidden fees and scope creep

Surprise charges erode trust. Common traps include “heavy editing” fees that appear after page one, charges for “extensive research” without prior agreement, or formatting fees that were never mentioned.

Protect yourself with specifics in writing:

• Define “heavy editing.” For example, more than X corrections per thousand words over Y pages. Or extensive sentence rewrites across a chapter.
• List research tasks, if any, with limits. Number of facts to verify, time cap, and sources.
• State what formatting means. Manuscript formatting for submission is different from book design for print. Name the deliverable.

When scope shifts, a change order should arrive before extra work starts. No surprise invoices after delivery.

No contract, no deal

A clear agreement sets guardrails. Without one, you risk missed deadlines, fuzzy deliverables, and disputes over rights.

At minimum, your agreement should cover:

• Scope of work. Level of edit, word count, and what files you will receive.
• Timeline. Start date, checkpoints, and delivery date.
• Price and payment schedule. Deposit, milestones, and method.
• Revisions and queries. How many follow-up questions or calls, and when they happen.
• Change policy. How new material or major changes affect price and time.
• Confidentiality and rights. Your ownership of the manuscript and the edits.
• Cancellation and refunds. Terms for both sides.

If an editor refuses to work with a written agreement, that is your cue to leave.

A quick field test

Before you book, try this short exercise.

Write down your goal in one sentence. Example: “I want a line edit that tightens prose and preserves my voice.”

Send one email with four questions:

1. What level of edit do you recommend for my sample, and why.
2. What will I receive, in detail.
3. What is the per-word rate and total estimate for X words.
4. What is the timeline, with dates.

Review the reply. Look for direct answers, clear scope, and a price that maps to the work. If the reply leans on buzzwords and avoids specifics, trust your gut.

What good transparency looks like

• “For 85,000 words, a line edit will take four weeks. You will receive a marked Word file with Track Changes, margin comments, a two to four page memo on patterns, and a style sheet. Rate is X per word. Two follow-up calls within 30 days are included.”
• “Heavy editing triggers a re-quote if more than 20 percent of sentences require rephrasing across three or more chapters. We will notify you before proceeding.”
• “Proofreading will occur after layout. We will review a PDF proof. Scope includes typos, punctuation, and layout errors, not structural changes.”

Clear, specific, and measurable. That is what you want.

Action:

• Request a paid sample with defined deliverables.
• Ask for a per-word breakdown and a full scope list for the exact level of edit.
• Get a written agreement that covers scope, timeline, price, revisions, changes, confidentiality, and cancellation.
• Avoid one-size-fits-all pitches, unclear rates, hidden fees, and projects without a contract.

Communication and Professionalism Warning Signs

You hire an editor for pages, but you work with a person. How they write, schedule, and set boundaries matters as much as line edits. Watch the relationship tells before you hand over your book.

Response time and tone

Silence is feedback. A week with no reply to an inquiry signals trouble. You deserve a short acknowledgment within two business days. Even a quick “Thanks, I’ll reply in full by Friday” shows respect for your time.

Tone matters too. Look for clear subject lines, complete sentences, and answers that match your questions. Red flags include:

• One-line replies with no greeting or sign-off.
• Defensive comments when you ask for detail.
• Rambling emails that never land on a plan.

A pro sets expectations. “I answer emails Monday to Thursday. I keep Fridays for edits. You will receive status updates every Tuesday.” That is a good sign.

Quick test: send three direct questions in one email. Note how many get answered, how fast, and how specific the answers feel. Your book needs that steadiness.

Respect for your genre

An editor who sneers at romance will hurt a romance manuscript. Same for fantasy, horror, thriller, or commercial fiction. Respect underpins every suggestion.

Ask:

• What titles in my lane do you admire.
• What genre conventions you watch for in this lane.
• How you tailor feedback for audience expectations.

Answers should name authors, trends, and pitfalls in your lane. If you hear “good writing rises above genre,” move on. That line dodges the work.

Pressure tactics and scarcity games

“Book today or lose your slot forever.” “This rate expires in two hours.” Hard no. Real schedules fill, yet professionals do not bully writers into paying fast.

Healthy signs:

• A clear booking calendar with next openings.
• Hold policy explained in writing. Deposit, due date, and refund terms.
• Space for questions before payment.

A rushed commitment rarely leads to a calm process. Your book deserves a measured start.

References and proof of happy clients

Reluctance to share references suggests a gap. Established editors have clients who will speak. Testimonials on a site help, yet a live contact tells you more.

Ask for two names and questions to guide the call:

• Did the editor meet milestones.
• How did they handle disagreements.
• How helpful were comments after two months of revision.
• Would you hire them again.

If references sound nervous or dodge details, pause. If they light up when describing the process, that energy often repeats.

Public behavior, private consequences

Editors live online like everyone else. A feed full of rants about “difficult authors,” genre snobbery, or industry bitterness tells you who you will meet on Zoom. Some humor is fine. Contempt is not.

Scan recent posts. Look for:

• Respectful responses to questions.
• Clear boundaries with clients, no shaming.
• Thoughtful discussion of editing, tools, and process.

You want someone who treats people well when no invoice is on the table.

A quick email script to test fit

Send a short note and watch the reply. Borrow this script and fill in your details.

Subject: Inquiry about line edit for 80k novel

Hi [Name],

I’m seeking a line edit for a [genre] novel, 80,000 words, aiming for [timeline]. Would you share:

1. The service you recommend for my sample, and why.
2. What I will receive, in detail.
3. Per-word rate and total estimate for 80,000 words.
4. Timeline with start date, milestones, and delivery date.

I’ve attached 1,500 words from the middle. Thanks for your time.

Best,

[You]

Now grade the reply. Direct, specific, and calm is what you want.

How professionalism looks in practice

• “I reply within two business days. If I travel, you receive an auto-response with the date I return.”
• “I edit romance weekly. I track heat level, trope expectations, and emotional payoff. Recent reads include Talia Hibbert and Kennedy Ryan.”
• “Next opening is March 4. A 40 percent deposit holds the date. Terms attached.”
• “Two recent clients agreed to serve as references. Here are their emails.”
• “I do not post excerpts from client work. I never discuss private edits online. My code of conduct is linked.”

Clear, consistent, and kind. That mix supports a long, productive edit.

Action:

• Send a focused inquiry and measure speed, tone, and completeness of the reply.
• Ask genre questions and look for specific, respectful answers.
• Avoid scarcity games and countdown clocks. Seek clear booking policies instead.
• Request two references and speak with them.
• Review public posts for professionalism and respect.
• Trust your read on the person. You will work together for weeks or months, so choose steady over flashy.

Credential and Experience Concerns

You are hiring judgment, not a logo on a website. Experience leaves tracks. So do exaggerations. Read closely.

“I have agents on speed dial”

Some editors know agents and publishers. Fine. No one controls access. Anyone who hints at guaranteed reads or special treatment is selling smoke.

Ask:

• Have you introduced writers to agents. How many introductions in the past year.
• What did you provide to those writers before any introduction.
• Do you offer query or submission support. What does that include.

Look for numbers, limits, and clear disclaimers. “I sometimes introduce a client if the work fits. No promises.” That sounds grounded.

Credentials you can verify

Memberships help you sort the field. EFA, ACES, and CIEP list members in public directories. Use those pages. Check that the name and service match the pitch.

Degrees, past jobs, and certificates offer context, not proof of skill. A former teacher might be great, or not. A Big Five background might help, or not. Pair credentials with samples, references, and clear process notes.

A two-minute check:

• Search the editor’s name with “EFA,” “ACES,” or “CIEP.”
• Open their listing. Match services, rates, and location with what you were told.
• Scan LinkedIn for timeline gaps or title inflation.
• Follow links to published books. Do the links work. Do the titles exist.

Genre fluency

Editing romance differs from editing hard sci-fi. Different beats, stakes, pacing norms, and reader promises. You want an editor who speaks your genre out loud.

Ask:

• Which subgenres you work in most often.
• Three recent titles you edited in my lane, with author permission to share.
• Common pitfalls you watch for in this lane.

Good answers sound specific. “For cozy mystery, I track clue placement, red herring balance, and sleuth agency. Recent reads include Mia P. Manansala and Jesse Q. Sutanto.” Vague praise for “good writing” is a dodge.

No portfolio in your genre. No sale.

Process, tools, and methodology

An experienced editor explains how the work happens. You should know what arrives in your inbox and when.

Key questions:

• How many passes do you complete. What happens in each pass.
• Which tools you use. Word with Track Changes, Google Docs with Suggestions, PDF comments.
• What deliverables I receive. Editorial letter length, margin notes, style sheet, style guide used.
• How you handle queries and open questions.

Clear answers reduce risk. Here is what good sounds like:

• “Two passes. First for structure and pacing. Second for language and rhythm. You receive a 6 to 10 page letter, line comments in the file, and a style sheet with spelling, hyphenation, and character lists.”
• “I edit in Word with Track Changes. Weekly progress notes every Friday. Two weeks of post-edit email support.”

Vague language is a warning. “I go through and fix everything” tells you nothing.

Reviews and complaint patterns

One bad review happens. A string of missed deadlines or “disappeared for a month” stories means run.

Where to look:

• Google reviews and testimonials on the editor’s site.
• Reedsy, Upwork, or Fiverr pages if they use those platforms.
• LinkedIn recommendations.
• Writer forums and Facebook groups you trust.

Read for patterns. Late delivery, low-quality notes, rude tone. Also read for how the editor responds to criticism. Calm, factual replies show maturity. Public arguments show the opposite.

A quick credibility script

Use this email and watch the answers.

Subject: Questions about experience with [your genre]

Hi [Name],

Before booking, I would love a few details.

1. Three recent projects in [genre], with permission to share titles.
2. Your usual process, passes, and deliverables.
3. Memberships in EFA, ACES, or CIEP, with directory links.
4. Two references willing to speak for five minutes.
5. Current availability and start date windows.

Thanks for your time,

[You]

Strong editors reply with specifics, links, and boundaries. Weak ones circle the drain.

What solid experience looks like

• “Member of EFA and ACES. Directory links below.”
• “Edited eight romance novels in the past year. Two won RWA chapter contests.”
• “Process and sample letter attached. Style sheet example included.”
• “Two references, both open to a brief call next week.”
• “Next start window is April 8. Deposit and contract secure the date.”

You want proof, not bravado.

Action:

• Verify memberships through EFA, ACES, or CIEP directories.
• Ask for recent genre work with permission to share titles.
• Get process details in writing, including tools and deliverables.
• Read reviews and look for patterns, not one-offs.
• Speak to references and ask about deadlines, tone, and usefulness of notes.

Editorial Approach and Quality Red Flags

You are hiring ears, not a heavy hand. Good editors tune your voice, they do not replace it with theirs. Watch how they work, not how they talk.

Heavy rewriting without consultation

Here is a quick test.

Author line:

“I run because the silence behind me feels like teeth.”

Overwritten edit:

“I sprint away, driven by the echoing quiet that threatens to devour me.”

Voice-preserving edit:

“I run. The silence behind me has teeth.”

The first edit smooths edges and swaps in bland words. The second keeps your rhythm, tightens, and honors tone. Ask for a sample on a voicey passage. If the file returns sounding like their blog, step away.

Ask how they handle heavier surgery. A pro says, “For big rewrites, I flag the issue, explain stakes, and propose options. You choose the path.” Rewriting entire paragraphs without a note shows poor boundaries.

Only typos, no substance

Copy errors matter. So do plot logic, pacing, character desire, timeline, scene goals, and viewpoint control. A page packed with comma tweaks and no mention of story problems shows shallow work.

Look for notes like:

• “Chapter 7 repeats the clue from Chapter 2. Stakes dip here.”
• “POV slips in this scene. We jump into Ben’s head for one sentence.”
• “Motivation light in the midpoint fight. Why does she refuse to call her sister.”

If feedback never lifts to structure, you will fix commas while readers trip over holes.

Advice so vague it fits any book

“Show, don’t tell.” “Raise the stakes.” “Make the character relatable.” You have read these a hundred times. Watch for specificity tied to pages, lines, and genre norms.

Better:

• “In cozy mystery, readers want fair play. Plant a clean clue before the reveal. Consider moving the autopsy detail from 12 to 7.”
• “Romance beats need mutual recognition by 75 percent. Your lovers still hide key truths in Chapter 20. Flagged spots where a reveal would land.”

Ask for two or three concrete examples from your sample. If notes float at slogan level, you will leave with a pep talk, not a plan.

No rationale for changes

Edits should come with reasons. You deserve to know why a sentence moved or a scene got trimmed. A short comment does the job.

Weak:

“Improved wording.”

Strong:

“Cut filter words to tighten POV.”

“Moved this reveal earlier to support the twist in Chapter 14.”

“Swapped order for cause then effect.”

If questions about choices meet with “Trust me,” consider that an answer.

Dismissive of your concerns

You will disagree with some notes. Good. Disagreement sparks clarity. Watch how the editor handles pushback.

Healthy responses:

• “Your voice choice works. I flagged it because consistency broke in three spots. Let’s pick a lane.”
• “Keeping the prologue is fine. Then we need stronger stakes in Chapter 1 to match its promise.”

Red flag responses:

• “Writers always struggle with this.”
• “My way is standard.”

Respect shows up in tone, not only contract language.

What a solid sample looks like

Ask for a paid sample of 1,000 to 2,000 words. Then review with a sharp eye.

Look for:

• Margin notes that mix line-level edits and big-picture observations.
• Questions that invite discussion. “Do you want the narrator to sound naive here.”
• Edits that reduce word count without dulling voice.
• A short summary of patterns seen, plus next steps.

Avoid:

• Heavy rewrites with no comments.
• Wall-to-wall typo fixes, zero talk of stakes or structure.
• Stock phrases that read like a brochure.
• Tone that scolds.

Mini–self test

Take one paragraph from your work. Give it to two editors for a paid sample. Read aloud after each set of edits.

Ask yourself:

• Does my voice still sound like me.
• Do the notes teach me something I can reuse in the next chapter.
• Do I know what to do next week.

If the answer is no, move on.

Questions to ask before you book

• How do you preserve an author’s voice.
• When do you suggest rewrites, and how do you present them.
• What problems you watch for in my genre.
• What deliverables I receive. Letter length, inline comments, style sheet.
• How you handle disagreements.

Clear, specific answers point to a steady hand.

Action:

• Request a paid sample. Review for depth, specificity, and respect for your voice.
• Seek edits with reasons attached, plus questions that open conversation.
• Avoid editors who overwrite, shrug off big-picture issues, or give empty slogans.
• Choose partners who teach while they edit, and who treat your voice as the headline, not the obstacle.

Frequently Asked Questions

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