I’ve been slowly telling my story about how I got into editing books for authors and publishing houses (including a Big 5 publisher). It wasn’t an easy transition as I was coming off working as a restaurant manager at one of most beloved and largest chicken-based restaurant chains in the US.
My degree was fresh off the press, and I was living high on that accomplishment as I entered into the last few months of my journey as a restaurant manager. My manager at the restaurant announced his retirement and suggested I, too, retire since I had gotten my degree and all the skills I needed to pursue editing.
Well, I did a rash thing and quit my job in hopes of devoting myself full-time to my career. I had no clients lined up, only a few systems and processes, and had only really edited some short pieces. I wasn’t truly in the know of what I was getting myself into. Don’t be like me.
Two weeks into working as a book editor, I had no clients whatsoever. I scoured the Facebook groups and connected with friends to tell them what I’d been doing. All hope was lost. But then I found a client hanging out on Reddit. Here are some mistakes I made with them.
When you’re a new editor and you’re in need of money to pay your rent, you sometimes don’t take the time to learn about the needs of the client. This was my first mistake. He had specific needs and a distinct vision for his book. While working out the details, I didn’t focus on his needs; I only focused on my own.
When I submitted my edits, the client was frustrated and upset. I had disregarded what he needed and simply gone on my own, working quickly to make the money I so desperately required. I had broken the cardinal rule and edited out the author’s voice and changed the meaning behind his words.
In fact, this client wrote a beautiful 1-star review on Google reviews and refused to change it until I corrected the issues. We hashed things out, I finished the work, and I was even given a bonus at the end. If I had been more attentive in the beginning, things would have turned out better from the onset.
Today, I take the time to get to know the client first and assess their needs. And if I make a mistake, I own up to it and make it right for the client. Communication is never perfect, but intentionality does help prevent problems like that one.
I was so desperate for money back then that I didn’t even really anticipate how much work was required to complete the task. I’d only charged the client $500 for a book that was over 80,000 words. If that doesn’t sound like much, you’re absolutely correct. I put in so many hours of work and made so little for it.
Now, I charge enough to sustain myself and my team. We take the time to assess how long a project will take and what amount is enough for us to live on.
Back then, I had a lot of trouble explaining things to clients, oftentimes stumbling over my words and articulations in such a way that the client was more confused after a discussion than when they first came into it. My first client was frustrated with me, and rightly so because I failed to explain how things would work, or even why I made the editing changes I made.
As of today, my clients understand up front what we’re going to do and how the process will look. I’ve prepared templates to send to clients to answer the plethora of questions that clients oftentimes have. These templates help to make sure there’s consistency with everything I share with them.
I didn’t care about my clients’ rationales for their books during those first few months: why they wrote the book or what their goals were seemed irrelevant. I needed money, so I wanted whatever work came my way. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
But as things got better and I left “survival mode,” I became cognizant of the real reason that I got into book editing, and that was to help writers put their books out. I’d done it myself years before, and I wanted others to feel what I had felt.
Asking questions, I’ve discovered, is a great way to show empathy to my clients, and to make them feel that they are people rather than a transaction. Money was the driver when I first started because I was in that “survival mode.” Now that I’m no longer in that mode, I can focus on the reason I became an editor in the first place: to help writers write, edit, and publish their books.
Starting my own business was one of and is still the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And during the beginning stages of starting that business, tensions ran high. Every client email or phone call just made me so anxious. What now? Why won’t they leave me alone?
The emotional toll was heavy back then. It wasn’t just that there were some clients who didn’t treat me well, but also the fact that I let them treat me that way. With my emotional response to their behavior, I made unprofessional, rash decisions. Not logical and not in the best interest of my business.
I choose my clients carefully now, and I’ve matured in my business acumen enough to know what emotions are justified and which are triggered by working too many hours or not sleeping enough. A lot of mistakes ultimately lead to one thing and one thing only: eventual success . . .
Paying attention to the client’s needs will prevent future pain
Not charging enough isn’t good for the editor or the client
Clarity matters, especially when it comes to scope of work
Asking clients questions allows for empathy
Emotions can sometimes run high, but they shouldn’t run you
Thanks for reading!
I’m A.E. Williams, the Owner and Lead Editor at A.E. Williams Editorial, a Black, LGBTQ+ owned and operated editorial firm, servicing indie authors and publishing houses (including a Big 5 publisher). I can be found on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.