New Year, New Book? How To Find Trusted Book Publishing Help

So, you've just put the finishing touches on a great manuscript. Or, maybe you only have the idea for a story everyone needs to read. Either way, you want to push forward, and you know you'll need plenty of book publishing help along the way.

For some people, that might mean hiring an editor to tighten prose and smooth out the rough edges, or a professional ghostwriter to bring that vision to life.

It might also mean adding a cover designer, illustrator, or marketing guru to the team.

The opportunities to expand your team are limitless, and the good news is that there's plenty of book publishing help available in those niche areas. But here’s the tricky part: hiring the right publishing team isn’t just about finding people with skill and experience.

It’s also about finding people you can trust—professionals who will guide you, support you, and won't take advantage of you or your dream.

Sadly, not everyone has your best interests at heart in the world of book services.

When Book Publishing Help Goes Wrong

I received a call from a woman who has been working on a book for nearly a year. Recently, she's seen her plans to have it published by Christmas go up in smoke because of the people she trusted to help get her there. She hasn't made any progress since October, is out several hundred dollars, and doesn't even have possession of the updated version.

Her story was certainly harrowing. She first reached out to someone online for general line editing and proofreading; she even secured his services with a down payment. But after a few additional conversations, it was clear that he didn't speak good English and wouldn't be able to help her. When she asked for a refund, he refused.

Determined to move forward, she contacted a company specializing in e-book conversions, hoping they could help get her manuscript ready for publication.

Unfortunately, that experience also fell short.

Deadlines were missed, communication was inconsistent, and she's now back to square one.

She called me on a whim, hoping for a bit of guidance. And as I listened, I realized this was my opportunity not to secure a sale but instead rewrite the narrative she was facing—cut through all the frustration and confusion and remind her that there are trustworthy professionals out there. Even if she never hires me, I wanted her to walk away from our phone conversation with hope, clarity, and a sense that her dream was still achievable.

Choosing the Right Book Publishing Help: Tips That Every Author Must Consider Now

It is incredibly easy for authors to feel overwhelmed when building a team to bring a book to life. After all, the right help can make the process smooth, empowering, and even fun—but the wrong help can cost time, money, and confidence.

Here are a few tips I've learned to ensure you can hire wisely:

1. Do your homework — Gone are the days of drawing a name from a hat, phone book, or Google listing and accepting whatever they say next as gospel. This isn't just for book publishing help. It's important for anything in life! So, before committing to any editor, ghostwriter, cover designer, etc., do a little research. Read Google reviews, check out their portfolios, sample work, and past projects. See what kind of online presence they have (website, social media links, articles). Cross-reference their credentials and affiliations. One thing I also do is type a business name or personal name into Google, then add "scam" or "complaints" to it. This could uncover hidden red flags.

2. Rely on referrals, where possible — There's something to be said for hiring help that your friends, coworkers, mentors, and other colleagues have used. Even if they didn't use a particular editor or publisher, perhaps they know someone who did. Personal referrals provide context that reviews and portfolios can’t (e.g., how easy it was to communicate, whether deadlines were met, and how professional and trustworthy the person or company truly is). Referrals aren't foolproof, but they can reduce risk.

3. Choose local — One thing I noticed from talking to the lady mentioned above is that both people she hired for book publishing help weren't local to her. I have plenty of out-of-state clients, so I'm not knocking the decision. That said, there was a sense of relief in her voice when I told her I lived in Denton—not far from her place in Irving. Working with someone local means it's easier to schedule face-to-face meetings and clarify expectations in real time. If something goes wrong, there’s a tangible connection rather than just an email or phone call. I always tell people, "You know where to find me."

4. Ask a lot of questions — Someone who is reputable and isn't trying to scam you will be happy to answer any and all questions you might have. At the end of the day, they want you to be just as comfortable with them as they are with you. So ask about their processes, timelines, and experiences with your book genre. The more you hear, the easier it will be to make a sound decision. Clear answers now prevent surprises later.

5. Confirm communication and responsiveness — What good is an editor, ghostwriter, illustrator, or marketing guru that you can't get a hold of? I am over-communicative by nature. Some people find that annoying, and I don't blame them. But the people who hire me love it because they know they have several ways to reach me (call, text, email, in person) and will almost always hear from me before the end of the day if I don't respond immediately. Good communication is key to smooth collaboration. Pros who communicate clearly and respond promptly should always be near the top of your list.

6. Choose smaller — There's an allure to working with big, fancy agencies. I get it. But don't overlook the little guy or gal. Small companies really appreciate the opportunities you give them and often make you feel like you're their only client. They also have a knack for checking all the boxes above and below.

7. Seek the non-sales approach — One thing the lady above appreciated about me was that I didn't immediately jump into a sales pitch or quote pricing. I didn't know whether she wanted to hire me, nor was that my primary concern. Bottom line, I could tell immediately that she was overwhelmed and frustrated. She needed someone to push her in the right direction, and I wanted to be that person. If it results in her hiring me for editing purposes, I'm here for her. If not, at least I did something good for someone.

8. Get expectations in writing — Where possible, always have whomever you're hiring for book publishing help outline deliverables, deadlines, revisions, and payment terms in writing before work begins. This protects both you and them from misunderstandings. Once you see the terms they've outlined, read them carefully and ask questions.

9. Be cautious about inflated payment policies — It's not uncommon for book service people to request payment up front to start a project. Some may even ask for the entire project amount, depending on what you're asking of them. That said, make sure you understand those payment terms and that they are both clear and fair. Don't be afraid to shop around to make sure you're getting a fair price.

10. Trust your gut — If something feels off—vague answers, unprofessional communication, or promises that sound too good to be true—pause and reassess. Protecting your time, money, and creative vision is always worth it.

What did I leave out? I know this isn't an exhaustive list, and I'm sure there are plenty of people reading this who hired a dream team in the past and achieved their goal of publishing a book. Tell me what you looked for, and share this post with someone who really needs it!

Your Ghostwriter Is Right Here at Edit This!

Transform your literary vision into a book you’re proud of and that you can celebrate for a lifetime. Edit This® is a one-stop shop for all your writing and editing needs, including ghostwriting and editing services. We have passionately collaborated on several book projects, some already published and others currently in development.

Ready to get started? Give Edit This a call today!

We'd be honored to help bring your story to life.

Thanks for reading!

STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice. 

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