On Sept. 16, 2026, we hosted a #StetChat called Red Flag Roulette. We talked about hypothetical red flag clients and editing situations, including finding plagiarism in a manuscript, learning an author has used AI without disclosing it, realizing an author isn’t using your edits, ChatGPT book covers, and more!
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We always recommend joining #StetChat live when you can, but that’s not always realistic for everyone. Or maybe you joined us live, but the chat moved so fast that you didn’t see all the questions and insights from fellow editors. We want to make it easy for you to peek into the conversation after the #StetChat is over.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up the questions we posed and some of the best answers from our Red Flag Roulette#StetChat.
There were too many answers to include them all! And some people’s privacy settings mean we can’t link to their posts because their posts are only visible to logged-in users.
Click on the Bluesky links below to read the full threads and posts from #StetChat over on Bluesky.
#StetChat Red Flag Roulette Recap
In Red Flag Roulette, we’ll pose questions about hypothetical red flag clients and difficult editing situations, and we’ll talk about how you’d deal with them.
We’ve tried to represent a range of types of editing and in-house vs. freelance situations. If the question doesn’t resonate exactly with the type of editing you do, feel free to reply with how you’d respond to a similar situation that you’ve dealt with.
Editors, please introduce yourself.
Click through this Bluesky post to see editors introducing themselves!
#StetChatters, please introduce yourself. Remember to use the hashtag #StetChat for all your answers today.And remember, if you miss a question, you can see all the questions under the Media tab on our profile.
— #StetChat (@stetchat.com) 2026-09-16T19:58:01.314Z
Question 1: You’re editing a manuscript for a publisher and encounter a sentence that feels…off. Suspicious, you run the paragraph through Copyscape (a plagiarism checker) and find that the sentence was copied word for word from a website. Then you run the entire manuscript through Copyscape and discover 11 more instances of plagiarism. What do you do?
A1 (1/2): This happened to me probably more than a decade ago, and it wasn't even a plagiarism checker. It was just spidey sense + googling. Luckily, I was working with a packager, so I handed it off to them to deal with the author. #StetChat
— Barbie Halaby (@monocleediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:07:15.159Z
A1 (2/2): Still, I ended up having to rework/reedit so much of that book that it was the first step of my off-ramp with that packager. I feel much better about such things when the decision of how to move forward is in my hands. #StetChat
— Barbie Halaby (@monocleediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:07:15.198Z
A1: I throw it back to my publisher contact, explain what I found and ask how to proceed. #StetChat This reminds me of something I stumbled upon while researching one of my special interests. I’m still not sure how to deal with it.
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:17:58.110Z
A1a: Something like this happened to me with a nonfiction title. I found two or three portions that weren’t properly credited or cited. I immediately contacted the publisher and asked what I should do. #StetChat 1/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:03:33.906Z
A1b: They asked me to keep editing but to also note every instance that Copyscape flagged. I was to leave those sections alone. Which is what I did. At this point, I had a good handle on the author’s voice, so it was pretty easy for me to spot sections that didn’t sound like them. #StetChat 2/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:03:33.907Z
A1: This has happened to me many times LOLIt happened on my first book I freelance copyedited. I Copyscaped the entire chapter, found several more instances of plagiarism (of other websites and self-plagiarism), & told the managing editor. Her response? Didn't care.I quit the project.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:06:28.305Z
A1: In recent years, I had another nonfiction proofread that had sentences copied and pasted from websites. I flagged it to the editor, and he took it seriously and brought it up with the author. I think they likely changed the wording/added citations, but I'm not sure.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:07:31.516Z
A1: If I discover plagiarism, I check the entire book. There's ALWAYS more than one instance of it. 🙃Then I email the managing editor / author directly.I explain that content is showing up as duplicated from [source], and do we want to:1. Reword it2. Make it a direct quote & cite it#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:09:38.654Z
I would tell the publishers and cite the examples. #StetChat
— Joanie Eppinga (@eagleeyeeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:14:28.759Z
If I'm working for a publisher, my first response is to share what I've found with that publisher and confer about how to broach the problem (and solutions) with the author.
— Martha Carlson (@marthaeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:10:12.848Z
A1: Ooof, so first off, I'd be glad it's a project w/ a publisher (so another party is interested in ensuring the quality of the MS). For a MS w/ this many instances (11!), I'd email that day to let the PE know about it & that AU will need to add citations &/or use original wording there. #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:13:08.589Z
Happened to me. On the third revision that was still plagiarized, I fired the writer. She got 3 chances.
— Mededitor (@mededitor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:21:32.215Z
A1: Contact the production or managing editor at the publisher. Depending on their policy, they might stop the project or ask you to flag each instance of plagiarism. You won't know unless you ask. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:05:56.351Z
#StetChat Other people have said this, but luckily, since this is a publisher's manuscript, that makes it their problem. I would run it up to whoever's managing the project and ask how they want to proceed. I suppose it would also depend on what stage of the project I was at. 1/2
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:10:03.126Z
#StetChat A1I don't work with publishers (yet) but I'd flag this for both the publisher and author to let them know it's been plagiarized. The closest I've had to this scenario is flagging song lyrics or poems used in fiction to tell the authors to delete or come up with something original…
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:12:27.470Z
A1: cry? 😭 I’d double-check the website first, then raise it with the publisher once I’m certain of my facts. #StetChat
— Suzanne Arnold editor (@suzannearnold.com) 2026-09-16T20:07:37.680Z
I immediately notify the editor. When this happened at an academic journal they pulled the article. Turns out it had been previously published in another country. #StetChat
— Beth Chapple (@editorbeth.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:12:11.919Z
#StetChat | A1: Just clear communication on this one. Once I've given notice about what I've found, it's up to the author / publisher how they want to proceed with their own project.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:11:36.857Z
Question 2: You’ve already politely told a potential client that you’re not a good fit to edit their project and directed them to an editing directory. They email back and demand to know why you won’t work on it. What do you do?
#StetChat A2So this (something close to it) happened to me once 😅I don't reply to their email. I already sent over the editing directory and told them I'm not a good fit. I don't have to share why/why not. It's a waste of spoons/energy for me to repeat myself as well.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:16:39.367Z
#StetChat A2I would have told them the reason already (although I might keep it vague depending on what it is). I'd still probably elaborate a bit if I can (especially if they ask politely, because if they *demand* I'll keep it short). And if they insist again, I'd ignore or block.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:31:05.184Z
A2: If they were polite I'd elaborate so they know it's not a problem w/ their project. (I always try to point AUs to a next step.) If they were truly being rude, I'd cite schedule conflicts (which isn't even unrealistic bc it's the real reason I have to turn stuff down 80-90% of the time) #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:30:29.413Z
A2: It depends on why I told them I wasn't a good fit. If it was that I didn't have the subject area expertise that they wanted, I'd just tell them that up front. #StetChat
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:14:28.526Z
A2a: Argh, this can be frustrating. When possible, I try to play matchmaker and pair up clients with editors whom I know have availability and relevant skills. But sometimes an author will have a request that rubs me the wrong way– #StetChat 1/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:13:49.939Z
A2: When I turn down projects, I always try to give a reason that is more "it's not you, it's me," which may help prevent that? #StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:16:26.234Z
😅I think it's valid to A) ghost them or B) lie, as long as you're relatively sure their circles don't overlap with yours. If you think they're engaging in good faith, you can always demur with, "I'm so sorry, I had another commitment come up. Please check out *editorial agency of choice.*" #StetChat
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:23:35.281Z
It's hard, though, because editing and publishing circles are so small. But the sort of person who pushes against a boundary like this is the sort of person who will not pay you. (I say to myself as much as to everyone else, lol.) #StetChat
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:23:35.282Z
A2: Ooh, tough one. First is what I won't do: Don't say my schedule is full or offer a really high PITA rate. That's gonna backfire. I'd try to point to where I wouldn't be the best editor FOR THEM, so they see where someone else's perspective or expertise or style is going to fit better. #StetChat
— Barbie Halaby (@monocleediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:14:09.860Z
Q2: I would offer to help match them with the right editor. In one case the situation led to me subcontracting the project, since the writer had reached out to me as his initial choice. #StetChat
— Beth Chapple (@editorbeth.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:17:49.176Z
A2: Depends on the reason. If it's simply a scheduling conflict, the work falls outside the scope of what I offer, or the budget won't work, I'll let them know. If it's a content issue, I'll tell them I don't work on projects that include XYZ. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:18:13.093Z
A2.2: If they keep pushing and get mean about it, block them. We can be polite but firm and also protect ourselves. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:19:29.624Z
Q2 for #StetChat: One time I felt that I was being manipulated into doing line editing when what I'd recommended strongly was a manuscript assessment. I said politely that when our our assumptions were that out of alignment, it wouldn't be a satisfactory experience for the writer. He was OK with it
— Martha Carlson (@marthaeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:16:44.764Z
A2: If it’s a complete stranger that contacted me out of the blue and I’ve already politely declined the project and given them resources to find another editor…I ignore the email.In the past, I’ve replied and gotten dragged into men negging me to take their project. NOPE.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:17:31.018Z
Question 3: You suspect a client you’ve worked with for years has been lying to you about using AI. They deny it, but then it happens: A “Sure, let me answer that for you…” appears in one of their drafts. What do you do?
A3. #StetChat I don’t work in fiction or books, so AI use isn’t something I ask clients about. If I saw a phrase like “Sure, let me answer that for you” I’d treat it as a production error that needed cleaning up. A new kind of copy and paste accident, we could say.
— Saesnes (@saesnes.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:47:09.727Z
A3a: I had a situation where I thought a client had plagiarized an article. It turns out that while the article had been plagiarized, it wasn’t my client but by someone he had hired. This is why you don’t want to go in guns blazing and accuse your client of plagiarism or using AI. #StetChat 1/2
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:24:01.585Z
A3: This has been happening to me with new clients.I added this to my contact form: "Has any of the manuscript text been generated by an AI tool? Have you used any AI tools for any part of the writing or editing process? If so, please let me know which tools and how you’ve used them."#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:34:43.384Z
A3: When it happened recently, I deleted that section of the manuscript because the whole section made no sense anyway and was clearly tacked on. I didn't see any obvious signs that other content in the MS was AI-generated. I think it was a case of voice to text dictation editing?#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:36:14.184Z
#StetChat | A3: More clear comms! Show them where I'm getting the signs of AI use, educate them on the risks, and move forward based on their response. If we've been working together for years, the best I can come up with is they were just afraid of my response.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:23:36.957Z
A3: I'd screenshot that in the text for my records and flag it in the manuscript. Depending on the AI policy in place, that could mean stopping work on the project; at the very least, a section in the editorial letter about transparency and trust with contractors and readers. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:24:32.565Z
A3.2: And depending on how our contract is structured, I might not accept work from them in the future. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:25:08.217Z
Q3. #StetChat. This would definitely start a conversation. If the question was factual and in common domain (Who wrote Moby Dick?), that's one thing. Even so, I think my trust would be broken. If they weren't honest about this one time, how often had they been dishonest? I'd back away.
— Martha Carlson (@marthaeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:27:55.420Z
A3: I would be very disappointed but then go back to them and ask them in a non-confrontational way whether they used AI and why. #StetChat
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:17:20.583Z
If it's someone I've been working with for years, I might give them a little more leeway and try to get to the root of what's going on, because I know it's rough out there. But I'm also not sure if I could ever trust them again. 🤔 #StetChat
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:45:30.640Z
#StetChat A3I tell clients early on (usually first contact) that I don't use gen AI and don't work with authors who use it. It's also part of my contracts. I would show them the evidence. It's a breach of contract, so I'd leave the project. 1/2
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:40:45.401Z
A3 pt1 : I'd be devastated lol. I do a lot of onboarding w/ my AUs to see where we are re: AI use (I don't use AI at all, so I want to make sure it's not something they use). I'd bring it up on a call (or next email) to ask about their writing process for that bit & let them know [cont] #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:38:26.361Z
A3: I haven't been freelancing long enough to have a big roster of returning clients; the ones I have are anti-AI. A publisher I work for has a "no AI" clause in their contracts with me, so I would stop work and notify them immediately if I saw this. #StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:28:25.667Z
#StetChat A3I don't work with AI at all. If a client was lying, I'd fire them as a client. Always have an exit clause in your contract! I'd invoke that officially and end the project, as well as not work with them again in the future. That's a massive red line (both for AI use and lying).
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:23:45.963Z
Question 4: A client rejects all your coaching suggestions and fails to make progress on their WIP from week to week. They swear they enjoy and want to continue coaching, but you feel like your time is being wasted. What do you do?
#StetChat | A4: All my services are pre-paid, so if that's all they want to do, that's on them. I enjoy chatting with writers about writing. Getting paid to do it is just a bonus. ♥
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:32:58.062Z
A4: Time to send a feedback form. If they want to keep paying for my time, they must be getting something out of it, even if I don't understand what it is. Sending the form with open-ended questions will help figure out what's working for them and whether that's something I can tune in to. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:33:04.727Z
Yes. I try to remember that new writers are often resistant to revising, but hearing from editors/teachers wears down that resistance. One day they wake up eager to revise. Asking questions is a great response.
— Martha Carlson (@marthaeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:55:04.522Z
A4: It sounds like AU would need to shift from an output-focused DE feedback program to a more freeform accountability/brainstorming coaching framework. This way, I'm not spending a lot of time developing feedback that won't be considered, but they'll still get structure+encouragement!#StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:52:21.516Z
#StetChat A4I'd try to have a conversation with them about why they're rejecting all my suggestions. It's perfectly okay for the author to find alternative solutions, but if none of my suggestions work for them, maybe I'm not the best match. 1/3
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:49:44.480Z
If they're being contradictory and don't want to put in the work, I'd have to decide how much I need their project to stay afloat. At the end of the day, if they're happy and want to pay me, that's their problem, but honestly, I'd be miserable feeling like I'm putting effort in for nothing. 2/3
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:49:44.481Z
A4: If I generally like the client and their writing, I'll take the money if they want to keep paying me. 🤷♀️If the client is rude or the writing sucks/is offensive, I'm gonna bow out. Or if I just get so annoyed at them not engaging with the work, I might fire them.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:38:07.899Z
#StetChat I actually had a kind of jokey answer for this because people can do whatever they want if they pay me, but actually, I want to push back on this a little. Writing is hard, especially in this day and age. If talking to me helps them at least think about their writing, I'm game.
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:49:34.398Z
#StetChat A4I don't do coaching (it sounds so difficult with my energy levels)But this sounds like a great time to reinforce your boundaries! Either that or stop working with them.It's also not the editor's responsibility to make sure the client makes progress or changes. That's on them.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:37:37.860Z
A4a: I don’t do coaching, so I can’t fully answer this question. But I did have a particular client very early on who hired me to do a copyedit on his fantasy novel. There were a lot of issues with the novel, which I indicated along with my suggestions of how to remedy those instances. #StetChat 1/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:34:56.768Z
A4b: He rejected the majority of my recommended edits, but still wanted me to continue. He also wouldn’t respond to emails for weeks if not months. At this time, I was a new editor, and I would anxiously keep checking my email throughout the day to see if he’d responded. #StetChat 2/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:34:56.769Z
A4c: Eventually, I fired him as a client. He didn’t seem to know what he wanted from me besides just fixing his punctuation. That, coupled with his nonresponsive behavior and evasive answers made him too stressful to keep working with. #StetChat 3/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:34:56.770Z
Question 5: You’re copyediting a manuscript and you realize that the manuscript is NOWHERE near ready for publication—it needs several more rounds of revisions. What do you do?
#StetChat Depends! If I am working for a publisher and I know they've done a dev edit already, it is not my job to say "I don't think this is ready for prime time" (especially since much current style is not to my personal taste). If there are actual, like, clear plot holes, I might bring that up…
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:00:36.909Z
#StetChat A5I work with indie authors who can't afford multiple revisions with editors 🫂💜So I can only do the best that I can. I recommend the author to do their own self-edits and revisions before publication, or have other indie authors help them.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:50:27.658Z
A5a: I have worked on TTRPGs where the author thought all the game needed was a proofread, and I might have initially assumed that to be the case as well based on a test edit, but then I discovered that the underlying structure was faulty. #StetChat 1/3
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:44:44.024Z
#StetChat | A5: I'm not a copyeditor, but this has happened for other services that people try to get out of sequence. Again, clear comms. Educate them on the risk of getting services out of sequence.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:43:13.267Z
A5: If it's from a publisher, I'll stop and ask the managing editor how to handle it. If it's a direct client, I'll recommend stopping work and word it so the recommendation is focused on the author's best interest. Maybe we can change the scope of the contract to keep things moving. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:50:23.710Z
#StetChat A5I don't do copyedits yet, but at whichever stage, if the book isn't ready for it, I'd inform the client. I'd gently tell them about the impact on the reader, their reputation, and sales if needed. I'd try to point out a few concerns and tell them which stage of editing would be best.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:02:39.082Z
And if they still want to continue, I probably wouldn't take the project on. Beyond the uselessness of it all, it might tempt me into scope creep to try to salvage the manuscript. If it's not ready, but not terribly not ready, I might consider taking it and add a clause to keep my name out of it.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:02:39.083Z
A5: I do a lot of onboarding w/ my AUs to get to the stage of rapport where they know I'll tell them if I don't think it's ready to go out there. And not in a mean way!!! But like: Your goals are XYZ & this iteration of the MS won't help you reach them. I had some thoughts, can we discuss? #StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:58:23.293Z
not-really A5: When I was on staff, I had occasionally had mss. come back from copyediting w/lots of editing notes.Sometimes the copyeditor had over-reached bc they didn't like or understand the book or hadn't previously worked in the genre. 1/
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:45:50.811Z
A5: I'd say that to the person who sent me the ms. and see what they wanted to do. #StetChat
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:23:03.905Z
Been there. Consider where the author is coming from. Don’t immediately shut them down. Provide reason, logic, and speak from expertise.#StetChat
— Joel Tillman (@jtillman.bsky.social) 2026-09-17T01:07:02.398Z
A5: I've sent a personalized version of this email to writers who have reached out and asked for a copyedit or proofread.I explain gently that their manuscript is not ready and explain what next steps I'd recommend they take.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:49:06.140Z
A5: Is it leaving money on the table? Sure.Buuuuuut if the manuscript is not ready for a copyedit or proofread, it won't actually BE only a copyedit/proofread anyway—because the larger issues will make it impossible for the scope to only be copyedits/proofreads.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:50:36.280Z
Question 6: A self-publishing author you’re working with wants your feedback on their book cover…that they designed themself with a combo of ChatGPT and Microsoft Paint. It’s comically awful. What do you do?
A6: When an author wanted to use an AI image on their cover, here's what I did:1. I opened Amazon for the category they were publishing in. Explained we want the book cover to fit in here, look like it belongs to the category, so it communicates to readers that this book is for them.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:58:22.485Z
A62. I talked about why their AI image cover didn't communicate what their book was about, and that would confuse readers, especially readers on Amazon and other online sites. (It was self-help but looked like fantasy.)#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:59:04.725Z
A63. I then showed the author a range of options for book cover designers, ranging from premade covers, cheap Fiver book cover designers, and more experienced book cover designers. I laid out the options and how much they'd cost and said this would translate to more sales.#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:59:23.267Z
4. After all that, the author said they wanted to keep their AI image cover, so……I said OK. It's their book. I tried!!!#StetChat
— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @ #ACESVCON26 (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-09-16T20:59:38.469Z
A6: I would tell them that it’s good they are starting to brainstorm cover ideas but tell them about the benefits, nay necessity, of getting a professional cover designer.
— Beth Chapple (@editorbeth.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:49:58.763Z
A6: I'm not sure. My day job used to be in a cover art department for a big trade publisher. I think I'd try to draw on that experience to give them some feedback. But that should probably be a different service than the editorial stuff. #StetChat
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:28:17.824Z
A6: This has happened to me. I asked if the image was a placeholder until the designer delivered the final cover and illustrations. It wasn't. I mentioned that the logical errors in the images and text wouldn't encourage readers to go beyond the cover. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:55:18.442Z
A6: I've given advice to several (not pro-artist) authors who've made self-designed covers, & it's usually along the lines of: Please please don't use it & Here's a list of cover designers to look into 🙃I always reiterate the cover is a huge deal for your readership! Let a pro help!#StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:04:37.466Z
#StetChat A6Cry? 😭Okay, but seriously, I want nothing to do with AI, even covers. So again, this is another client who I'd probably stop working with entirely. I'd just send a list of real human artists they can work with. (The human artist directory)! Maybe also a link to Canva & Unsplash.
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T20:58:01.365Z
#StetChat This happened to me recently. The example wasn't quite that bad, but it was clearly AI (it had that weird semi-impressionistic style). I told the author, "Look, you can't copyright this, so you shouldn't use it." Luckily, he was receptive–copyright is usually a pretty good angle.
— NB Kuhn is a pen name (@nbkuhn.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:03:12.269Z
#StetChat | A6: Let them know the vulnerabilities I see and give them options for making repairs. I'm an editor, so giving feedback is my forte, after all! 😀
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:49:53.964Z
A6a: I would do my best to politely explain why I thought using an AI cover was going to hurt their book/game. Readers, especially savvy readers, don’t like AI covers, especially ones that are blatantly AI. But my client may want to use it and not be swayed by my arguments. #StetChat 1/2
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:51:20.203Z
Question 7: A potential client who found your website contact form but apparently hadn’t read your website…because they wanted a type of editing you don’t offer. What do you do?
If I know an editor who does offer this type of editing, I'd refer the client to them. If I don't know anyone, I'd refer them to an editing board such as one hosted by ACES or the EFA. #StetChat
— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:56:41.119Z
A7: This happens frequently & if it's something in the realm of what I like/do, I might customize something. But more often than not, lately I just don't have bandwidth to accommodate a project v unaligned with the workflow I plan for. So I refer them to an #edibuddy who'll be a good fit!#StetChat
— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:09:13.496Z
#StetChat | A7: This happens a handful of times each year. I contact them to get a better idea of what they're looking for (if needed) and then connect them with folks in my professional circle or send them to @efafreelancers.bsky.social to find someone.
— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:56:47.967Z
A7: Refer them to the EFA or ACES directory or job board. I keep a template for responses like this. Text Expander or Phrase Express are handy in these situations. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:58:55.502Z
A7.2: I also have a referral resource I can share with them, if I think the project might work for someone in my network. #StetChat
— BulletProof Writing Services (@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:59:54.583Z
#StetChat A7So this happens a lot lol 😅I don't mind helping them find an editor who does that kind of editing! I'm here to help clients find an editor and editors find work! Recently I helped someone who emailed me find a comics editor! 🥰💜
— Steph 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-09-16T21:03:51.368Z
A7: I tell them I don't do that but that I can refer them to someone who does, if they'd like.
— Joanie Eppinga (@eagleeyeeditor.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:24:30.637Z
A7: I respond that I don't offer that kind of editing and maybe explain how what I do offer differs from what they're looking for. #StetChat
— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:29:50.228Z
#StetChat A7I'd say I don't offer that service. I might refer them if they seem clueless rather than unwilling to put in the work. Otherwise, I'd contact whoever I might refer before mentioning them to see if they're willing to take on a client who doesn't look at their potential editor's website.
— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T21:20:15.442Z
A7: Thank them and politely say that I don't provide the service they are interested in. So far that has ended the interaction.#StetChat
— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-09-16T20:55:07.422Z
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