Avoid Book Scams: How to Find an Editor You Can Trust
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Writer groups buzz with bad experiences and book scams. From Facebook pages to Discord groups, you’ll find literary horror stories about editors, one after the other—editors who say nothing’s wrong with the book (but you should pay for another service), editors who return feedback that sounds like nothing like the story you wrote, and—worst of all—editors who ghost after you pay the invoice. Seeing these reports, some writers have taken the next step, which is to actively warn others of the danger whenever they see someone asking for recommendations:
Don’t trust anyone offering their services here. Go to Fivver or Reedsy.
The sharks are circling. Be wary of anybody who says they’re an editor.
We all want to be Martin Brody (“Get out of the water!”), but advice like this only makes it harder for writers to make connections that will help them while stoking a lot of fear. With the help of statistics, common sense, and the tips we provide below, you can be confident that you’re connecting with a genuine editor who is there to help, not take a bite out of you.
“How do I find an editor I can trust?”
As editors ourselves, we have strong feelings about so-called editors who take advantage of authors (and we do get quite bitey about that, let me tell you). The relationship between an editor and an author should be one of trust, respect, and understanding. Before we go into the practical ways you can make sure you’ve done due diligence on any potential editor, I’d like to share an insight from math that can help put this discussion into better perspective (don’t worry—no equations are involved).
The truth about the good, the bad, and the ugly online
The explosion of online life does mean more risks, but I’d like to assure you there are far more good eggs than bad apples in the literary community. One of the best things I learned from AP Stats back in the day was that, generally speaking, people at the far extremes are far more likely to report on their experiences, meaning the very best and the very worst make it online. In addition to this, outrage and shock are premium commodities in an attention economy, so the bad and the ugly get shared more widely and get more comments and engagement than the good. Simply put, there are a lot more people who have good experiences (supportive beta readers, nice turnout for reader events, great editors, and so on) than you’re likely to hear about. This is why it feels like beta readers are stealing ideas right and left, no one ever shows up for an author reading, and 97 percent of editors offering services are scammers.
Skepticism is good—in moderation
Seeing an abundance of these kinds of stories online can put you on the defensive, and to some extent, this is wise. Every day brings new and astonishingly convoluted scams that pose real and significant danger. However, while skepticism can protect you, I recommend an equal helping of open-mindedness when it comes to the literary field. As with anything online, be careful of repeating or sharing information you haven’t gotten from someone you know and trust or verified for yourself. Too many book formatters, illustrators, press owners, and editors have been mobbed and chased out of groups by people who automatically assume anyone offering a service is a shark. As a result, authors in that group have lost valuable resources and connections, many of which were being offered for free or low cost by experienced professionals actively working in the industry.
“How do I find an editor?”
Now that we’ve gotten a better perspective on this topic, we can shift to the practical aspects of finding an editor you can trust. For the simplest answer to this question, check out our other article “How to Find an Editor.” For some tips on how to know if you’ve found a reliable one, keep reading.
Look for professional credentials
When it comes to working with an editor, the onus is on you to do your research. Dig into their website or social media presence and get a feel for the person behind the images and the words. A trustworthy editor will have professional credentials, and these can take many forms:
Membership in an editorial organization like the EFA, CIEP, and ACES
Degrees, certifications, classes, internships, previous industry experience, other professional development
A portfolio of work
Testimonials/reviews from authors they’ve worked with
Number of years in the industry or authors they’ve helped
Events/workshops they have attended, spoken at, or hosted
Editors may not always have all of these or share them up front, but don’t automatically assume a lack of testimonials or published books means you’ve uncovered a scammer. There are many good reasons an editor might not have these publicly available (especially if they’re working with publishers or presses).
Ask questions
Any editor worth their sea salt will be willing to talk to you! Always, always feel free to ask questions of a potential editor. They should be more than happy to discuss your book and help you figure out what service will make the most impact in terms of getting you closer to your goals while balancing concerns like timeline and budget. They should also be more than willing to share about themselves, their experience, other authors they’ve helped, and other details that can help you feel confident in their expertise. Hiring an editor is an investment of more than money—it’s also time and emotion. To make sure your experience is the best possible, here are some tips when interacting with a potential editor:
Talk with them. If you’re able and comfortable doing so, hop on a call together. This is a great way to get to know someone behind the copy written on their website or page. Alternatively, like writers, many editors are introverts, too, and enjoy communicating through email.
Make the conversation intentional. Steer away from using Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms to have a conversation about getting an edit. You might begin with a DM or comment, but if an editor has a website or email address, it’s best to use more official channels. Contact forms and email are more secure, and most, if not all, professionals will have these available. They are more permanent and leave digital paper trails that protect everyone involved.
Remember editors get scammed, too. Whenever you engage with an editor, they should be asking questions about you and your work as well. If you’ve done your research, you should have no reason to feel cagey or defensive when talking about your work with this person. There are more scams targeting editors than you might believe, and it’s in our best interest to filter out clients who are bad actors in disguise. Both you and your editor want a good fit, so the more you can discuss before getting started (goals, methods of communication, deadlines, etc.), the more likely you are to work well together.
Platforms can help but don’t guarantee a good fit. Places like Reedsy are gaining in popularity because they are highly visible and require all communication to stay on the platform. They have protections in place for authors, which help them feel safe in case the relationship turns sour. However, Reedsy, like many platforms, takes significant commissions from every transaction. To cover the loss, editors frequently raise their rates, and authors will spend more than they would if they’d approached the editor through their own site. Platforms also often have their own particular vetting criteria for who’s allowed to have an account, and there are hundreds of fabulous editors who don’t make the cut.
Use common sense
Writers talking about scams often seem like completely reasonable and rational people, so it’s natural to start thinking, It’s true. Scammers are everywhere, and anyone can fall for these traps. There’s some truth to this, but common sense will help you make good decisions when it comes to hiring an editor. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Scammers don’t develop elaborate alter egos. There may be some Frank Abagnale-level masterminds out there, but most aren’t in the literary realm (editing can be costly, but most editors aren’t driving Ferraris). Scammers will not put the time into developing websites with multiple pages, each with unique, compelling copy about services. They will not record podcasts, post regularly to a blog on writing craft, or nurture an online community through a Facebook page or Discord group. This kind of care indicates a professional who’s willing to share their expertise through content marketing, which is currently one of the best ways for service providers to raise awareness of their business.
Regular marketing doesn’t equal desperation. Just as authors need to get the word out about their books to find their readers, editors need to find the authors they can help. If you’re seeing a lot of posts from an editor, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t find authors or they’re a scammer. The same algorithms that bury book news and giveaways apply to small businesses, too, and it’s necessary for us to continually post and share what we do in order to be heard above the noise and find regular work. Along these same lines, if you’re seeing a lot of editors commenting on a post from a writer looking for editorial support, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are scammers. As an example, I’m an EFA member, and projects posted to the job board there regularly receive over fifty replies, if not one hundred if the poster doesn’t close the listing. Remember, the editors replying are all paying members of the association. It may look different from the way other industries work, but this is a big part of how we connect with writers.
Editors are small businesses. Some editors can rely on other sources of income, but many of us do this work full-time, which means we pay for all of our own expenses, including health insurance and self-employment taxes. Our rates might trigger doubt or red flags, but just as you might expect the rates of a therapist or chiropractor to indicate a level of skill, you’re asking a professional for their expertise (sometimes hours and hours beyond what you’d receive from a therapist or chiropractor), and we ask rates that allow us to provide for our families and make a living.
You get what you pay for. This axiom is 100 percent true with any service-based business. Several online platforms have given authors the wrong idea about what publishing professionals should be paid for their work, and now everyone—from cover designers to editors to formatters—is ridiculed for charging what they’re worth. Editing professionals are experts. We continuously invest in development to sharpen our skills, stay up to date with the industry, and provide the best service we can. A cheaper edit may provide short-term financial benefits, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve gotten a good deal.
Avoid book scams: Connect with confidence
These points can be helpful tools when it comes to navigating the uncertain seas of being a writer online. It’s true there are sharks out there, but it’s easy to spot them once you know what to look for. As you step into the waves, always keep this in mind: if you are a writer who wants to share your work with the world, you are a professional, too. A professional weighs options, does their research, and asks hard questions in order to make a decision that aligns with their vision. You don’t have to work with someone you’re not totally satisfied with! This is your book and your publishing career; you should feel confident in your choice.
No sharks here!
At Ground Crew Editorial, we do our best to make our processes as transparent as possible. (We even have a whole page about how we work.) We’ve supported many authors who have had bad editorial experiences in the past, and we work hard to share information to help others avoid those situations. We also strive to ensure the authors who trust us with their books come away with the best experience possible. If you’re interested in learning more about what we do here at the hangar and how we can support you, please feel free to reach out.
Photo thanks to Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash!
