There are some red flags that cannot be ignored when it comes to a business partnership failing: deadlines are continuously pushed, payment is very late, requests get ignored, momentum stalls or moves backward. These are things that are easy to spot. But there are other, more complex reasons to leave a business partnership that don’t apply across the board.
I’ve put together a list of situations directly relating to the special relationship between an author and their editor. Though these may appear more subtle, each creates an opportunity to improve your editorial experience and write a novel that more closely resembles your vision.
You’re Nervous to Hand Over New Work
I get butterflies every time I hand off a new manuscript to my editor. (Yes, even I have one!) But there is a big difference between nervous excitement and nerves based in fear. Ultimately, you and your editor should be on the same team to improve your manuscript and prepare it for publishing. Being on a team means trusting each other. If you don’t trust them to hold up their end of the bargain, you probably ought to look for a new editor.
You Find Yourself Fighting Over Big Changes
When you’re going through your first round of edits, you should expect at least one major change. Whether it is a subplot, character, or favorite scene cut, your editor should have a good reason for it and a thoughtful explanation to go with it. Your first reaction may be a guttural instinct to disagree, but after some time you’ll at least understand more clearly how these suggestions may improve your manuscript. There will always be things that you disagree with your editor on. Not fighting for things you find important will weaken your authorial voice. But most edits should see quick compromise if not agreement, and too many disagreements may mean a conflicting vision for your novel.
You’re Not Talking Through Your Rewrite
So you’ve gotten back a round of edits that require changes on your part. That is normal and a sign of respect from your editor, who didn’t take it upon themselves to just fix it. They know you can. During this process of re-brainstorming and narrowing down ideas, it is perfectly normal to reach out to your editor for input or simply to express your excitement about a new turn your story has taken. This is especially important if you’re working with a self-publishing editor, who you are paying for out of pocket. You don’t want to pay for a second round of edits to find out that the big changes you’ve made still aren’t working.
You Have No Questions for Your Editor
This may seem like a good thing to feel like your communications are clear with your editor. But in my experience, it’s uncommon for there to be absolutely no questions when turning back a significant chunk of edits even with authors I’ve worked with for many years. Instead, it may be a sign that your editor isn’t pushing you enough. Even the most accomplished authors have weak points, and having an editor that can point them out and help you improve is fundamental to make your editorial experience worth it.
In my time as an editor and a writer, I have seen writers move on to another editor for perfectly legitimate reasons that cannot be taken personally. Though your editor may deserve a conversation to reset expectations first, continuing if they are not met can be detrimental to your story. Finding an editor that meshes with your goals and your price point can be difficult to do, but settling for a lesser experience can often mean settling for a lesser novel than you had first imagined. You deserve better than that.
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