Hiring an editor can feel like one of the most intimidating steps in the publishing process. You’ve poured your heart into your manuscript—and now you’re supposed to hand it over to someone else and trust them with your words? It’s vulnerable. It’s confusing. And it’s often expensive.

That’s why editor, author, and book coach Hannah de Keijzer joined us on the Project Seed Money Podcast to break down what really goes into a successful author-editor relationship—and how to avoid common pitfalls.

“Writing a book is a long haul. The sooner you find the people who can support you through the process, the better your experience will be.” — Hannah de Keijzer

Hannah works exclusively with nonfiction authors—from business books and leadership to self-help and how-to. She offers both coaching (to help you plan, write, and structure your ideas) and editing (once you have a draft that’s ready for refinement). Her background in publishing, plus years of freelance experience, give her a unique perspective on what makes a great editor—and a great match.

So what should writers ask before hiring an editor?

“The number one question to ask is: where’s my manuscript right now, and what do I want it to become? Then ask: can this editor help me get to that next step?”

She walks us through what to ask during consultations:

• What type of editing do I need at this stage?
• Have you worked on books like mine before?
• What’s your process—how do we communicate, how long will it take, and what do I get back?
• Do you offer sample edits, and what does that include?
• How do you protect and support my voice through your edits?

Equally important are the red flags:

“If the price feels too low to be true—it probably is. Editing is skilled labor. If someone’s quoting you $500 for a full book edit, that’s a warning sign.”

Other red flags include:

• Editors relying heavily on AI or automated tools
• No editorial training or publishing experience
• Avoiding contracts or vague about deliverables
• Disregarding your goals or dismissing your questions

But Hannah isn’t just an editor—she’s also an author herself. She recently published a book all about the editing process and what writers should expect. Ironically, she didn’t plan to write a book—it started as a helpful webpage and turned into something bigger.

“I was writing answers to common questions, and at some point, I realized… I’m writing a book. So I treated it like one.”

Even though she’s a professional editor, Hannah still hired a team to help bring her book to life. She chose her editor based on mutual respect, a shared sense of humor, and—crucially—vibe.

“You’re going to spend a lot of time interacting with this person. Respect and trust matter. You want someone who gets your voice.”

Hannah encourages authors to reach out earlier than they think. Editors and coaches often book out months in advance—and there’s so much more value when you start the relationship before the final draft. Especially if you’re overwhelmed, discouraged, or trying to plan a launch, talking with a professional early can change everything.

In closing, she leaves writers with this advice:

“You know more than you think you do. Your voice matters. And you don’t have to write this book alone.”