#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...

Today’s #StetChat has officially come to a close, but feel free to keep chatting! And if you couldn’t join the chat live, feel free to jump in and participate asynchronously—that’s the beauty of a Bluesky chat. :)

Thanks so much to everybody who participated!

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

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

A6

3. 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

A6

2. 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

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

I think the way it's worded is that the client would owe me for all services rendered up to that point, along with the deposit. So far, knock on wood, I haven't had to invoke it. #StetChat

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

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

#StetChat A6

Cry? 😭

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.

#StetChat | A7.2: They don't get left hanging to fend for themselves (and possibly be victimized by scammers), I get to help an author, AND I get to help a colleague. Everybody wins! ♥

You always have a great GIF to use! #StetChat

#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.

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

I have that clause too. Have you ever had to enforce it, and if so, how did you do that? Small claims court? #StetChat

Right now my plate is thankfully very full of TTRPG editing, which is one of my favorite kinds of projects. But as you say, it's always good to be aware of other editing services that I could offer if I needed to. #StetChat