How to Spot Red Flags When Hiring a Developmental Editor

Developmental editing is all about structure, story and how a book works for the reader. A good editor will help you see what is working, what is not and what to do next. A bad choice can waste your time, damage your confidence and leave you with feedback that does not help.

At BubbleCow, we see a lot of writers who have already had one poor editing experience before they reach us. Most of the time, the warning signs were there before they paid.

Here are some red flags to watch for when hiring a developmental editor.

Use of AI

This is the big one. AI-generated feedback is becoming more common, and not always disclosed.

Some editors use AI tools to speed up summaries, generate reports or produce broad manuscript comments. The problem is that developmental editing needs judgement, context and human reading. AI can sound confident while missing the real issue.

Ask directly:

• Do you use AI at any stage of the editing process?
• If yes, how?
• Will any part of my feedback be generated by AI?

If the answer is vague, evasive or wrapped in buzzwords, be careful. You are paying for an editor’s professional judgement, not a polished machine summary.

You should also check the editor’s AI policy. If they do not have one, or if it is unclear, that tells you something. A trustworthy editor should be able to explain exactly how your manuscript is handled.

Cold Email Pitches

Be cautious of editors who contact you out of the blue.

If someone emails saying they found your book, love your work or can help you become a bestseller, slow down. Good editors are usually busy. They do not need to scrape email addresses or send mass pitches.

Cold pitches are not always scams, but they are often low-quality. Watch for generic praise, vague promises and pressure to book quickly.

If an editor approaches you, ask how they found you and why they think they are a good fit for your manuscript. A serious answer should be specific.

Prices That Are Too Cheap

Developmental editing takes time. A full manuscript edit often involves several reads, detailed notes and deep thinking arround structure, character, argument, pacing or reader experience.

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Very cheap editing can mean:

• The editor is inexperienced.
• The work is rushed.
• The feedback is templated.
• AI is being used.
• The editor is taking on too many manuscripts at once.

This does not mean the most expensive editor is always the best. It does mean you should understand what is included and how much time the editor will spend on your book.

Ask what you will receive, how long the report will be, whether there will be margin comments and whether follow-up support is included.

No Sample Edit

A sample edit is one of the best ways to judge fit.

For developmental editing, this might be a short written response to a sample chapter, a few pages of comments or a brief assessment of the opening. It should show how the editor thinks.

If an editor refuses to provide any kind of sample, that is not always a dealbreaker, but it does make the decision harder. At the very least, they should have examples of their feedback style, testimonials or a clear explanation of their process.

You are not just buying expertise. You are buying communication. A sample helps you see whether their feedback makes sense to you.

No Social Proof

A good editor should have some evidence of past work.

Look for:

• Testimonials.
• Case studies.
• Named clients, where appropriate.
• A professional website.
• Published articles or resources.
• Clear experience in your genre or area.

No social proof at all is a warning sign. Everyone starts somewhere, but if you are paying professional rates, you should see some proof that other writers have trusted them.

Be careful with testimonials that sound vague or generic. Strong testimonials usually mention the kind of help the editor gave and what changed as a result.

Contacts and NDA

You should know what you are agreeing to before you send your manuscript.

A professional editor should provide clear terms. These might be in a contract, booking form or written agreement. The details should cover price, scope, deadline, what you will receive, payment terms and confidentiality.

Some writers ask for an NDA. Not every editor uses one as standard, but they should be willing to discuss confidentiality. At minimum, their terms should make clear that your manuscript will not be shared without permission.

If there is no written agreement, be careful. Email promises are better than nothing, but a clear contract protects both sides.

Ability To Contact Them

Before you pay, check how easy it is to contact the editor.

Do they reply clearly? Do they answer your questions? Do they explain their process? Do they seem interested in your book, or are they rushing you toward payment?

Poor communication before booking usually gets worse after booking.

You should not expect instant replies, but you should expect professionalism. If an editor disappears for days, ignores your questions or gives confusing answers, take that seriously.

Use of Established Platforms

There are good independent editors who work through their own websites. There are also established platforms that offer some protection, such as Reedsy or Fiverr.

Platforms are not perfect. They can still include editors who are not right for you. But they often give you reviews, payment protection and a clearer dispute process.

If you hire someone directly, do your checks. Look at their website, online presence, testimonials and terms. Make sure there is a clear paper trail.

If an editor asks you to avoid a platform’s payment system or move everything off-platform quickly, that can be a red flag.

Grandiose Claims

Be careful of big promises.

No developmental editor can guarantee a publishing deal, bestseller status or glowing reviews. Editing can improve a manuscript, but it cannot control the market.

Watch out for claims like:

• I can make your book a bestseller.
• Agents will love this after I edit it.
• Your book is guaranteed to sell.
• I know exactly what publishers want.

Good editors are confident, but honest. They will tell you what they can help with and what they cannot promise.

No Questions About Your Book

A developmental editor should want to understand the project.

They may ask about genre, word count, goals, audience, stage of draft and what kind of feedback you want. They might ask what worries you most about the manuscript.

If an editor offers a quote without knowing much about the book, be cautious. Some basic pricing can be based on word count, but developmental editing depends on context.

The editor does not need to know your life story, but they should show some curiosity about the manuscript.

Lack of Clear Deliverables

Before hiring an editor, you should know what you will get.

For developmental editing, deliverables might include:

• An editorial report.
• Margin comments.
• A follow-up call.
• A revision plan.
• A summary of key strengths and weaknesses.

If the editor simply says “I’ll edit your book” without explaining what that means, ask for detail.

Different editors use different formats, and that is fine. What matters is clarity. You should know what will arrive, when it will arrive and how you can use it.

Pressure To Book Quickly

Some editors have waiting lists. That is normal.

What is not normal is pressure.

Be wary if someone tells you a discount expires today, that you must pay immediately, or that your manuscript will miss its chance unless you book now.

Editing is a big decision. You should have time to think, compare options and ask questions.

A good editor will respect that.

Final Thoughts

The right developmental editor should make you feel clearer, not smaller.

They should be honest without being cruel, experienced without being arrogant and clear about what they offer. They should respect your manuscript, your goals and your rights.

Most bad editing experiences do not come from one huge warning sign. They come from several small ones that writers ignore because they are excited, anxious or unsure what to expect.

Take your time. Ask direct questions. Read the terms. Look for proof. Trust your instincts.

And remember the most important rule from Horrible Histories:

If it smells dodgy, it is dodgy.

Hope this helps, feel free to email if you have questions.