What Is An Editorial Letter? (With Real Examples)

Gary Smailes | 4 December 2025

What Is an Editorial Letter?

Think of an editorial letter as a clear, big-picture roadmap. An editor or agent writes a memo that explains what works, what does not, and how to revise for market fit and clarity. It lives outside your manuscript or proposal. Inline comments point to lines. The letter explains the larger reasons behind the notes.

Typical length runs 2 to 8 pages. Enough space to diagnose core issues and outline a plan. Not a novel. Not a brush-off. A good letter pairs with margin notes or tracked changes, so you see both strategy and execution.

When does one arrive? A few common paths:

• After a developmental edit or editorial assessment
• After an agent requests an R&R, revise and resubmit
• From an in-house or acquisitions editor before a deal moves forward

For nonfiction proposals, the letter narrows to market-facing levers:

• Hook and positioning
• Competitive titles and how you differ
• Target reader, pain points, and use cases
• Platform and marketing proof
• Structure, table of contents, and sample chapters

What an editorial letter is not:

• Not a copyedit or proofread
• Not a line edit focused on word choice or commas
• Not a guarantee of representation or a book deal

What you will see inside:

• A brief overview of promise and audience
• Strengths, so you know what to keep
• Prioritized issues, usually three to five items with the biggest payoff
• Specific suggestions, examples, and next steps
• A proposed order of operations for revision
• Time and scope notes for the next round

A quick example from recent projects:

• “Your premise lands, but the promise hides in the second page. Lead with the outcome, then support with research.”
• “Comps skew old. Add three from the last five years. One sentence each on how you differ.”
• “Chapters 3 through 5 repeat the same framework. Merge into one chapter with a named model and two case studies.”

How to read an editorial letter without spinning out:

1. Skim once for tone and scope. No markup. No decisions.
2. Read again and highlight only the top three priorities.
3. Write one sentence for your book’s core promise. Hold it next to each note. If a change serves that promise, star it.
4. Park smaller line-level tweaks. Structure comes first.

For proposal writers, here is a quick focus checklist pulled straight from frequent letters:

• Hook, one to two sentences with a clear reader and outcome
• Overview, 200 to 300 words on problem, solution, and why now
• Audience, specific segments and where they gather
• Comps, 5 to 8 recent titles with one-line differentiation
• TOC, logical progression with no repeats
• Samples, proof of voice and method
• Platform, measurable reach and planned activities

What helps your editor help you:

• Share your goals up front. Traditional deal, hybrid route, or self-pub with bulk sales. Different goals shape advice.
• Send clean files with clear version names.
• Provide current platform numbers with dates.
• Link to past media or talks if relevant.

Set expectations before work begins. Ask for:

• Letter plus margin notes, with page or section references
• A timeline for delivery and revision
• One follow-up call, 30 to 45 minutes, for questions
• One round of short clarifying emails after the call
• Resubmission criteria, what to send back and by when

A short script you can use:

• “To confirm, the deliverables include a 3 to 6 page memo, margin notes in the proposal and samples, a 30-minute call within a week of delivery, and a quick look at my revision plan. Target delivery date is March 15. I will send Proposal_v2 on April 5. Sound right?”

Common surprises, and why they are normal:

• The letter feels blunt. Editors trim hedges so guidance stays clear.
• Notes push you toward a narrower reader. Specificity sells.
• Suggestions “move furniture” across your proposal or book. Early structure work saves months later.

Mini exercise, 20 minutes:

• Write your book’s one-sentence promise. For example, “This book helps first-time managers run effective 1:1s that cut turnover by 25 percent in 90 days.”
• List three comps from the last five years. Add one line on how you differ.
• Pick one chapter title and rewrite it as a result. “Feedback” becomes “The 5-Step Feedback Script.”

When you treat an editorial letter as a partner document, revision gets lighter and smarter. You leave with a plan, not a cloud of opinions. And your next draft reads closer to the book you meant to write.

Anatomy of an Editorial Letter

An editorial letter works best with a clean spine. Expect these parts, each with a job and a reason to exist.

Overview

A short summary opens the memo. Two brief paragraphs set promise and market position. Your unique value, why now, and where the book sits on a shelf. Strengths show up here too, so you know what to keep.

Quick example:

• Before: “A guide to leadership.”
• After: “A playbook for first-time managers who run weekly 1:1s to reduce turnover by 25 percent within 90 days.”

Aim for clarity you could read aloud without notes.

Prioritized Issues

Next, a punch list of three to five priorities. Structural fixes with outsized payoff. No nibbling at commas.

Typical notes:

• Sharpen the hook to a single, concrete promise.
• Update comps and state one-line differentiation.
• Restructure the table of contents for a clean progression.
• Merge overlapping chapters and name one framework.
• Open with a scene, not definitions.

Think of this section as the order in which progress will land.

Audience and Market

Editors buy focus. The letter names a primary reader and, if useful, a secondary group. You get pain points, search terms, job titles, and use cases. Shelf placement or BISAC codes round out the picture.

Example anchors:

• Primary: new managers in 50 to 250 person tech companies.
• Secondary: HR business partners training first-time managers.
• Search intent: “how to run 1:1s,” “manager meeting script,” “reduce team turnover.”

Vagueness kills proposals. Specificity sells them.

Competitive Analysis

Expect comps from the last five to seven years. Each comp earns a one-line contrast. The goal is fit plus difference. Also, any gaps in the category worth claiming.

Sample entry:

• Radical Candor, Kim Scott, 2017. Popular on feedback culture. Unlike that book, this proposal offers a weekly 30-minute 1:1 script with prompts.
• The Making of a Manager, Julie Zhuo, 2019. Broad overview for new managers. This proposal focuses on one critical ritual and provides templates.

Five to eight tight comps send the right signal to agents and editors.

Content and Structure

Here you get chapter architecture. Logic, progression, redundancies, and where to add frameworks, cases, or data. Expect line-item moves, not vague vibes.

Common guidance:

• Combine Chapters 3 to 5 into “A 30-Minute 1:1 Framework.”
• Move two long case studies to sidebars, one per section.
• Add a named model with three steps. Use the same labels across chapters.
• Cut repeated definitions. House them in a glossary or endnotes.
• Sequence chapters from setup to practice to troubleshooting.

A clear spine gives readers momentum. A muddled spine breeds skimming.

Voice and Tone

Notes here balance authority with access. The letter calls out drift between proposal and samples. You get sentence-level suggestions without a full line edit.

Example fixes:

• Shorten sentences in prescriptive sections.
• Use second person for instructions, first person for stories.
• Keep citations in endnotes. Maintain flow in the main text.
• Swap jargon for plain language. Define any unavoidable terms once.

Readers trust steady voice. Consistency signals control.

Platform and Marketing

Editors need proof of reach and a plan. Numbers, not vibes. Dates, not hopes.

What helps:

• Newsletter: 14,200 subscribers, 41 percent open rate, as of October 2025.
• Speaking: 22 talks in 2024, average 180 attendees, 6 booked for 2025.
• Podcast: 8,000 monthly downloads, top episodes on manager scripts.
• Social: LinkedIn 18,400 followers, average 2.3 percent engagement.
• Launch plan: podcast tour list with 15 targets, three webinar partners, corporate bulk lead list with five warm contacts.

One page of quantified assets reassures a gatekeeper more than ten pages of fluff.

Action Plan

The letter closes with a revision roadmap. Milestones, version labels, and resubmission details. No guesswork.

Sample roadmap:

• Week 1: Rewrite hook and 250-word overview. Confirm audience statement.
• Week 2: Update comps to eight titles from the last five to seven years. Add one-line differentiation.
• Week 3: Merge Chapters 3 to 5. Rename framework. Cut 1,200 words of overlap.
• Week 4: Revise Chapter 1 opening scene. Add sidebar definitions.
• Week 5: Refresh platform metrics with dates. Draft a one-page launch outline.

Version control:

• Save as Proposal_v2_2025-01-15.
• Keep a clean PDF for agents. Keep tracked changes for the editor.

Resubmission criteria:

• Send revised overview, updated TOC, new comps page, and one sample chapter.
• Include a brief note summarizing changes and any decisions held for discussion.

A Quick Self-Check

Read your last editorial letter and ask:

• Does the overview state a single promise and a clear reader?
• Do the top three priorities align with that promise?
• Are comps recent and differentiated in one line each?
• Does the TOC show a clean build with no repeats?
• Does voice stay steady between proposal and samples?
• Do platform numbers include dates and outcomes?
• Does the action plan give you a sequence and a deadline?

A strong letter feels like a map. Follow the map, and revision time shrinks. The next draft moves closer to a book an agent can sell and a reader will finish.

Real Examples of Editorial Letter Notes (Mini-Excerpts)

Nothing beats seeing the raw feedback. Here are actual notes from editorial letters, pulled from real proposals across business, memoir, and self-help categories. Names changed, wisdom intact.

Hook/Overview

The Problem:

"Your core promise is strong but buried. Move the transformation ('help first-time managers run 1:1s that retain talent') into the first two sentences. Right now, I have to dig through three paragraphs to find what this book does."

Before: "This book covers leadership principles and management techniques for today's workplace. Drawing on research and case studies, it explores how effective communication builds stronger teams."

After: "This book helps first-time managers run effective 1:1s that cut turnover by 25% in 90 days. Using a proven framework tested with 200+ managers, you'll learn the exact scripts and follow-up systems that retain top talent."

The Fix: Lead with outcome, not process. Promise transformation in measurable terms.

Another Hook Example:

"The 'why me, why now' is missing. Add one sentence about your credentials and one about market timing."

Before: "Productivity systems don't work for creative professionals."

After: "Productivity systems don't work for creative professionals. As a former Netflix executive who now coaches 100+ writers and designers, I've developed a time-blocking method that preserves creative flow while meeting deadlines."

Target Audience

The Drift:

"Define primary vs. secondary readers. Right now it reads 'for everyone at work.' Anchor on specifics: job title, company size, years of experience."

Vague: "This book helps anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills."

Focused: "Primary audience: new managers in 50–250 person tech companies, promoted within the last 18 months. Secondary: HR business partners training first-time managers."

The Logic: Agents and editors think in shelf space. "Everyone" means "no one" in publishing.

Pain Point Precision:

"Name the exact problem your reader faces on Tuesday morning. Get specific about the frustration."

Generic: "Managers struggle with difficult conversations."

Sharp: "New managers avoid giving negative feedback, leading to performance issues that spiral into formal disciplinary actions within six months."

Competitive Titles (Comps)

The Gap:

"Add 2–3 recent comps from the last five years. Differentiate in one sentence each. Show how you fit plus how you differ."

Weak Comp Section:

"Similar books include Good to Great and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

Strong Comp Section:

• Radical Candor, Kim Scott, 2017. Popular framework for feedback culture. Unlike Scott's broad approach, this book provides a weekly 30-minute 1:1 script with prompts.
• The Making of a Manager, Julie Zhuo, 2019. Comprehensive guide for new managers. This book focuses on one critical ritual and includes ready-to-use templates.
• Thanks for the Feedback, Stone & Heen, 2014. Academic approach to receiving feedback. This book flips the script, giving managers practical tools for delivering feedback effectively.

The Standard: Five to eight comps, each with pub year, one-line summary, and one-line differentiation.

Chapter Outline (TOC)

Redundancy Alert:

"Chapters 3–5 overlap. Combine into 'A 30-Minute 1:1 Framework' and move case studies to sidebars to streamline pacing."

Before:

• Chapter 3: Preparing for 1:1s
• Chapter 4: During the Meeting
• Chapter 5: Following Up

After:

• Chapter 3: The Complete 1:1 System (prep, meeting, follow-up in one flow)

Title Precision:

"Chapter titles need more specificity. Avoid generic labels."

Before: "Chapter 4: Feedback"

After: "Chapter 4: The 5-Step Feedback Script (with prompts and role-play exercises)"

The Principle: Chapter titles should promise a deliverable, not just a topic.

Sample Chapters

Opening Energy:

"Open Chapter 1 with a scene, not definitions. Start with the 'missed promotion' vignette from page 3. Weave definitions into sidebars."

Definition-Heavy Opening:

"Management is the process of coordinating and overseeing the activities of others so that their activities are completed efficiently and effectively. In today's workplace..."

Scene-Driven Opening:

"Sarah stared at the email. Her best developer was quitting. The reason: 'I never know where I stand or how I'm doing.' Three months earlier, Sarah had been promoted to engineering manager. No training, no handbook, just a team of twelve and a mandate to 'figure it out.'"

The Move: Start with story, sneak in the stakes, then deliver the solution.

Structural Notes:

"Chapter 2 runs long at 4,200 words. Split the framework explanation from the implementation examples. Make implementation a separate chapter."

Platform & Marketing

Quantification Demand:

"Quantify everything. Replace vague claims with dated numbers."

Vague: "I have a strong social media presence and speak regularly at conferences."

Concrete: "LinkedIn: 18,400 followers, 2.3% average engagement. Newsletter: 14,200 subscribers, 41% open rate as of October 2024. Speaking: 22 corporate talks in 2024 (average 180 attendees), 6 already booked for 2025. Podcast appearances: 15 shows in 2024, including Manager Tools (8K monthly downloads)."

The Standard: Numbers, dates, and outcomes. Platform without proof is just hope.

Voice & Tone

Academic Drift:

"Tone skews academic in the sample chapters. Use shorter sentences and second-person ('you') in prescriptive sections. Keep citations in endnotes to maintain flow."

Before: "Research demonstrates that managers who utilize structured feedback methodologies observe improved employee retention rates compared to those employing ad hoc approaches."

After: "Managers who use structured feedback keep more employees. The difference shows up in six months."

Consistency Check:

"Voice shifts between proposal and sample chapter. The proposal is conversational, the chapter is formal. Pick one register and stay there."

Agent/Editor Readiness

Green Light Signals:

"With a sharper hook, two merged chapters, and five contemporary comps, this proposal is query-ready for business/management lists at major houses."

Yellow Light Warnings:

"Platform needs 18 months of growth before this will interest Big Five publishers. Consider independent presses or build email list to 10K+ first."

Red Light Stops:

"The hook is still too broad, and comps are outdated. Needs another revision round before submission."

The Reality Check: Editors signal manuscript readiness and suggest next steps. Pay attention to these verdicts.

The Pattern

Notice the pattern across all feedback: specificity wins. Generic loses. Whether it's hook, audience, comps, or platform, successful proposals drill down to the concrete and measurable.

The best editorial letters don't just point out problems. They show you the fix with examples, the way these excerpts demonstrate the difference between weak and strong execution.

Your turn. Read your proposal through the lens of these examples. Where do you see vagueness that needs sharpening? Where do you need proof instead of promises?

How to Use an Editorial Letter to Revise

First, breathe. Editorial letters feel big. They save time if you work them in the right order.

Triage before touching the draft

Open the letter. Skim once without editing. Mark every note as one of three buckets.

• Must-Do. Structural changes with market impact.
• Nice-to-Have. Helpful clarifications or polish.
• Defer. Items for a later round or for copyedit.

Mini-exercise:

• Print the letter or open a copy.
• Circle no more than five Must-Do items.
• Star any request tied to agent or editor readiness.

Example Must-Do list:

• Sharpen hook in Overview.
• Define primary reader.
• Add five comps from the last five years.
• Merge overlapping chapters in TOC.
• Quantify platform.

If your list runs longer than five, you picked too many. Narrow again.

Translate notes into tasks

Notes are advice. Revisions need tasks. Move each note into a checklist with an owner, a due date, and a target.

Example:

• Task. Rewrite Overview to 250 words with lead outcome in first two sentences. Due Friday. Target 250 words.
• Task. Audience paragraph with job title, company size, tenure, and pain point. Due Monday. Target 120 words.
• Task. Research eight comps, pick five, write one-line diffs. Due Wednesday. Target 5 bullets.
• Task. Combine Chapters 3 to 5 into one framework chapter. Update title and subheads. Due next Friday. Target 3,500 words.
• Task. Platform section with dated numbers. Due Tuesday. Target 200 words.

Put tasks in your system of choice. Calendar, Trello, Notion, a legal pad. Whatever you trust.

Keep a decision log

Editors expect you to think, not rubber-stamp. For each suggestion, choose Accept, Modify, or Decline. Add one sentence on why.

Template:

• Note. “Move transformation into first two sentences.”
  • Decision. Accept.
  • Rationale. Increases clarity for agents within the first screen.
• Note. “Change title to Management Scripts.”
  • Decision. Modify.
  • Rationale. Title keeps core keyword but shifts to The 30-Minute 1:1 System for search alignment.
• Note. “Add a chapter on hiring.”
  • Decision. Decline.
  • Rationale. Thesis focuses on retention via 1:1s. Hiring belongs in a separate resource.

Send this log before or alongside your follow-up call. It shows judgment and protects your thesis.

Revise in a strategic order

Work top down. Your Overview sets expectations. Structure follows. Lines come last.

• Overview and Hook. Lead with outcome. Name the transformation in two sentences. Add one line on credibility and one line on timing.
• Audience and Market. Primary reader first. Define job, company size, tenure, and Tuesday morning pain point.
• Comps. Five to eight titles from the last five to seven years. One-line summary. One-line difference.
• TOC. Merge overlaps. Sequence for momentum. Title chapters with deliverables, not topics.
• Sample Chapters. Open on a scene. Weave definitions into sidebars. Keep chapters under target length.
• Platform and Marketing. Numbers with dates. Email list, talks, podcasts, social, partnerships. Clarity beats hype.

Do not polish sentences before structure settles. Line edits on a moving target waste hours.

Measure improvement, do not guess

Give yourself targets so progress shows up on paper.

• Overview. 200 to 300 words, with the promise in sentence one or two.
• Audience. One short paragraph naming primary and secondary readers.
• Comps. Five to eight, each with year and one-line difference.
• TOC. Zero duplicate chapters. Chapter titles promise outcomes.
• Sample Chapters. Scenes first. Definitions in sidebars or endnotes. Word count within 10 percent of plan.
• Platform. Numbers with source and month. No vague claims.

Quick check:

• Read the Overview aloud. Does the first screen say what the book does and why you?
• Scan chapter titles. Do they tell readers what they will gain?
• Highlight every number in Platform. Gray text means fluff. Replace with data.

Version control that saves you from yourself

Keep two files. One clean, one messy.

• Master clean file for agents or editors.
• Working file with tracked changes for your editor.

Name files so your future self knows what changed.

• Proposal_v2_2025-01-15.docx
• Proposal_v2_Working_2025-01-15.docx
• TOC_v3_2025-01-22.docx

Log changes at the top of the working file.

• v2. Hook rewritten. Audience tightened. Added five comps. Merged Chs 3–5.
• v3. Sample Chapter 1 opens with scene. Platform quantified with Q4 numbers.

Back up to cloud and one local drive. Email yourself a copy after big milestones.

Work a simple weekly rhythm

Structure keeps momentum. Here is a sample two-week sprint.

Week 1

• Monday. Triage and task list. Decision log first pass.
• Tuesday. Rewrite Overview and Audience.
• Wednesday. Comps research and write-ups.
• Thursday. TOC overhaul. Merge chapters.
• Friday. Sample Chapter revisions. Update Platform numbers.

Week 2

• Monday. Read-through for flow. Fill gaps flagged by the editor.
• Tuesday. Second pass on TOC and chapter titles.
• Wednesday. Line edit only sections locked by structure.
• Thursday. Update decision log. Prep questions for the call.
• Friday. Compile clean v2. Write cover note. Send.

Adjust to your life, but keep order and limits.

Use your follow-up call well

Book a 30 to 45 minute call within a week of receiving the letter. Send your decision log and questions 24 hours before.

Ask:

• If I fix only three things, which matter most for acquisitions?
• Which lists or imprints fit this project?
• Any comps missing that you expect to see?
• Does the TOC now match the promise in the Overview?

Do not defend first. Listen. Clarify. Agree on next steps and a date for resubmission.

Send a tight resubmission package

Email with three parts.

• Cover note, 8 to 10 lines. Summarize changes and outcomes.
• Clean proposal file, v2.
• Decision log, final.

Sample cover note:
“Thanks for the letter. I revised the Overview to lead with the retention outcome and added credentials in line two. Audience now anchors on new managers in 50–250 person tech companies. Comps include five recent titles with clear differentiation. TOC merges 3–5 into The 30-Minute 1:1 Framework, plus new chapter titles with deliverables. Sample Chapter 1 opens on the missed promotion scene. Platform now lists newsletter 14,200 subs, 41 percent open rate, and 22 talks in 2024. See decision log for two declines and one modification. Looking forward to your next pass.”

Follow through on the date you promised. Editors remember reliability.

Do this once and revision stops feeling like whack-a-mole. You reduce thrash, move faster, and send a proposal that signals professional intent.

Working with Editors and Agents Around Editorial Letters

Editorial letters work best when both sides know what they signed up for. Set boundaries early, ask smart questions, and protect your voice while staying open to guidance.

Lock down scope before you start

The handshake matters more than the contract. Before paying a deposit, confirm what you get and when.

Ask these questions:

• How many pages for the editorial letter?
• Do you provide margin comments or tracked changes alongside the letter?
• How many revision rounds does this include?
• What is the turnaround time for the letter and any follow-up?
• Do I get a phone call to discuss the feedback?
• If I need a second editorial letter after revisions, what does that cost?

Sample scope agreement:
"Editorial assessment includes a 4-6 page letter covering structure, market positioning, and revision priorities, plus margin comments on the first 50 pages. One 45-minute follow-up call within two weeks of delivery. Turnaround is 14 business days. Second editorial letter available for $800 if requested within 90 days."

Write this down. Email a confirmation. Avoid scope creep later.

Ask questions that unlock insights

Generic questions get generic answers. Target your questions to extract the market intelligence you need.

Smart questions for editors:

• "If I fix only three things, which matter most for acquisitions?"
• "Which imprints or lists do you see this fitting?"
• "What comps are editors expecting to see in this category?"
• "Does this hook position the book correctly for its shelf space?"
• "What platform numbers would make an agent take notice?"

Smart questions for agents:

• "How does this compare to recent deals in the category?"
• "Which editors have you pitched similar projects to successfully?"
• "What would make this stand out in your query inbox?"
• "Are there any obvious red flags I should address first?"

Write their answers down during the call. Market intelligence expires fast.

Push back like a professional

Good editors expect pushback. Weak editors get defensive. Learn the difference.

When a note conflicts with your thesis, propose alternatives instead of declining outright.

Example exchange:

• Editor note: "Add a chapter on hiring practices."
• Weak pushback: "That is not what this book is about."
• Strong pushback: "The hiring chapter takes us outside the core thesis of retention via 1:1s. Would a sidebar on 'How to hire for 1:1 readiness' in Chapter 2 address the gap you see without expanding scope?"

Another example:

• Editor note: "This feels too academic for the general business reader."
• Weak pushback: "I am a credible expert in this field."
• Strong pushback: "I hear the accessibility concern. What if I move the research citations to endnotes and add more second-person language in the how-to sections? The authority stays but the tone gets more direct."

Offer solutions, not resistance. Show you understand the problem they are trying to solve.

Protect voice while implementing structure

Editorial letters address big-picture issues. Voice lives in the sentences. You control both, but structure changes often unlock voice improvements.

Focus areas where you hold the line:

• Core thesis and positioning.
• Personal stories and anecdotes that build credibility.
• Technical language necessary for your audience.
• Examples that reflect your experience and expertise.

Focus areas where you stay open:

• Chapter organization and flow.
• Hook and positioning language.
• Competitive analysis and market framing.
• Platform presentation and marketing approach.

Example decision process:

• Editor suggests removing a personal story about a failed 1:1.
• Your response: "The vulnerability builds trust with new managers who have made similar mistakes. What if I move it to a sidebar so it does not interrupt the main flow but still shows I have been there?"

Keep your credibility intact while improving market fit.

Budget with your eyes open

Editorial services vary wildly in scope, quality, and cost. Get specifics before you commit.

Typical ranges for nonfiction book proposals:

• Editorial assessment: $1,500-$3,500
• Developmental editing with multiple rounds: $3,000-$8,000
• Agent editorial letter (R&R): Usually free but expect 2-4 weeks turnaround

Red flags on pricing:

• No itemized breakdown of what you get.
• Guarantees of representation or publication.
• Prices significantly below or above market range.
• Payment required 100 percent upfront.

Green flags:

• Sample editorial letters from similar projects.
• References from other authors in your category.
• Clear deliverables and timeline.
• 50 percent deposit, 50 percent on delivery structure.

Get a second opinion if the price feels off. Good editors refer you to colleagues when they are not the right fit.

Master resubmission etiquette

Agents and editors track authors who follow directions. Build that reputation early.

Do this:

• Include a brief revision memo (8-10 lines) summarizing what changed.
• Attach the clean revised proposal, clearly labeled with version and date.
• Reference specific notes from their letter to show you listened.
• Stick to the timeline you agreed on.

Do not do this:

• Send drafts weekly for feedback.
• Ask them to compare line-by-line changes.
• Resubmit without addressing their priority concerns.
• Skip the revision memo and expect them to figure out what changed.

Sample resubmission email:
"Hi Sarah, thanks for the editorial letter on my 1:1 management proposal. I have revised based on your feedback. The hook now leads with the retention outcome, the audience section anchors on new managers in mid-size tech companies, and I have added five contemporary comps with clear differentiation. I merged the overlapping chapters on feedback and coaching per your suggestion. The sample chapter opens with a scene instead of definitions. Brief revision memo attached with the clean v2 proposal. Looking forward to your thoughts on the next round."

Professional, specific, and actionable.

Watch for red flags in feedback

Not all editorial advice helps your book reach readers. Trust your instincts when feedback feels off.

Red flags in editorial letters:

• Vague feedback like "make it better" or "needs more energy" without specific guidance.
• No mention of market positioning, audience, or competitive landscape.
• Advice that fundamentally changes your thesis or expertise area.
• Pressure to add trendy topics that do not fit your core message.
• Promises of guaranteed representation or publication if you follow their advice.
• No understanding of your category or recent books in the space.

Green flags:

• Specific, actionable feedback with examples.
• Clear market awareness and competitive analysis.
• Respect for your expertise while improving accessibility.
• Focus on structural improvements before line editing.
• Honest assessment of current market readiness.

If the feedback feels wrong, get a second opinion before implementing major changes. Your instincts matter.

Build your editor shortlist strategically

The best editorial relationships start before you need them. Research editors who know your space and have track records with similar projects.

Where to find qualified editors:

• Acknowledgments in books similar to yours.
• Editorial Freelancers Association directory, filtered by nonfiction specialties.
• Recommendations from other authors in your network.
• Agents who offer editorial services or can refer editors.
• Publishers Marketplace for editors with recent deals in your category.

Interview questions for potential editors:

• How many nonfiction book proposals have you edited in the last two years?
• What recent books in my category have you worked on?
• Do you have relationships with agents or editors who acquire books like mine?
• Who are two authors you have worked with recently who would give references?

Start building these relationships before you need emergency help. The good editors book out weeks or months in advance.

Work with people who make your project stronger and your submission more professional. Editorial letters are investments in getting your book to readers who need it.

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