Reaching out to a book editor can be intimidating. It’s probably the first time your story will be seen through critical and professional eyes. You may not know what to say or fear sounding unprofessional.

It’s ok. Take a deep breath.

Editors expect inquiries. That’s literally how we get majority of our work—through authors reaching out to us! But have no fear; there is no perfect message. All you need to provide is clear information about your book and what you’re looking for.

Not sure how to relay that information? No problem, by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to contact a book editor via a clear and concise inquiry email.

When Should I Look for an Editor?

I’ve explained in detail about when to reach out to a book editor in the last blog post. But as a quick recap, it would Ideally be after your own self-revisions, but well before your publishing deadline. Professional editing can take weeks or months, depending on the type of edit you need, if your getting different types of edits, and how long your manuscript is, and you don’t want to wait last-minute to start your search for an editor. Editors can book out months in advance, and you may need time to budget and make sure you can afford hiring one.

It’s ok if you’re unsure about what type of editing your book will need. Still send that inquiry! Editors can help you figure that out, and if they can’t help you or are booked already, they may be able to give you a referral to other editors.

Where Can I Find an Editor?

In this day and age, there are so many ways to find an editor for your book. Social media has become a marketing platform for freelancers providing just the service you need. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn can lead you to find great editors. I’ve even had authors find me through my own Instagram page.

But there are other resources outside of social media that can lead you to great editors.

• The Editorial Freelancers Association is a great resource for editors and authors alike. You can find editors, illustrators, cover designers, and much more.

• You can also check out Editors Canada, Editors of Color, Black Editors and Proofreaders, and Reedsy for a directory of book editors.

• You could even look at the Acknowledgements section of a book or the Copyright page (found on the back of the title page) to see who edited a book. And don’t forget your author friends; ask them for their recommendations.

Ways to Reach Out to an Editor

Editors will have their own preference on how they want to be contacted, but the main forms of contact are email, contact forms, and editor websites. Some may not mind a DM on social media. Once you find an editor you want to work with, look through their website, their About Me page, and Contact page. They’ll let you know the best way to reach them.

What a Book Editing Inquiry Is (And What It Isn’t)

Now that you’ve found the editor you want to work on your book, it’s time to send an inquiry. An editing inquiry will clarify your purpose. It’s about the basics: what you need and if the editor can help you.

What Not to Include in a Book Editing Inquiry

• Your full manuscript. I don’t suggest doing this until you’ve hired an editor. But I recommend sending a sample. Editors usually provide a sample edit so you can see their work and if it fits what you’re looking for. This also let’s editors see if you are a right fit for them.
• Full book synopsis or pitch letter. We are not literary agents.
• Apologies or self-doubt. We don’t expect perfection, just clear information.
• Pressure to rush. We understand that you are on a deadline. But a good editor will never rush the editing process. That only leads to missed errors. Make sure you find an editor months before your deadline.

What to Include in a Book Editing Inquiry

• A brief introduction: Your name and, optionally, if you’re a first-time or experienced author.
• Your manuscript details: Genre, word count, if your book is fiction or nonfiction, if it’s a standalone or part of a series, a brief summary.
• The type of editing you’re looking for: Developmental, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, etc. And if you’re unsure, relay that.
• Your timeline: Ideal start date and target publication date (if any).
• Any relevant context: If your book gone through previous edits, what are you hoping to achieve with editing, style guide preferences, etc.

Some book editors may have an inquiry form for you to fill out, which can make the process a lot smoother.

Tip: Reach out to a number of editors and send multiple inquiries.

Sample Editing Inquiry

Below is a sample of what an editing inquiry can look like. It’s clear, to the point, and says exactly what an author is looking for. Please note that this is just an example template and not a script.

Hi, Matthania,

My name is Jane, and I’m a first-time author looking to have my book copyedited. I have an 85,000-word young adult fantasy novel that is the first of a trilogy. It follows a girl who discovers she has magical powers after the death of her grandmother, and she’s also navigating high school drama.

My book is currently going through developmental edits, but I’m looking to start the copyediting process about 4 weeks from now. My ideal publish date is May 11, 2026.

If this is something that you could help me with, could you please let me know your availability and rates?

Thanks so much!

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

What Happens After I Send an Editing Inquiry?

Once you’ve sent your inquiry, it’s time to play the waiting game. And then your editor will most likely respond with:

• Follow-up questions
• A sample edit request
• A quote and timeline

You’ll have most, if not all, your questions answered, and you’ll be able to move on to the next step. If they’re unable to help, they may refer you to another editor.

It’s ok to ask questions, and there’s no obligation to book right away. Send out multiple inquires and get different quotes. Find the editor best for you and your book. And if you’ve already hired another editor, don’t ghost all the other editors. Thank them for their time and let them know that you went in another direction — no hard feelings. No one likes being ghosted.

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Reaching out to a book editor is a scary, but necessary step to getting your book published. It means that you’re taking your work seriously and that you want your readers to read the best version of your book.

Editors want to hear from you. We need the work! But seriously, we want to collaborate with you and help you on your journey to publishing.

If my editing services are what you need, I encourage you to fill out my contact form for a free sample edit, or send me an email (editedbymatthania@gmail.com) to ask any questions you may have; I’m happy to answer them.

Happy writing!