Your Publisher Can't Read Your Mind: How to Give Feedback

Blog Series:

Author–Publisher Partnership & Publishing Expectations

article #2

Your Publisher Can't Read Your Mind: How to Give Feedback That Actually Helps

“I don’t like it.” That’s honest feedback. But it’s not always helpful feedback.

One of the more challenging parts of publishing can be translating what’s in your head into something another person can understand. You know what you want the book to feel like. You may even be able to picture it. But your editor, designer, or publisher can’t see the picture in your mind. You have to help them see it. And learning how to do that can make the publishing process much smoother.

Start With What Isn’t Working

You don’t need design terminology or an editing degree to give useful feedback. Start by identifying what feels wrong.

Instead of: “The cover isn’t right.” You might say: “The cover feels too corporate for this book. The message is encouraging and personal, so I’d like the design to feel warmer.”

Now your designer knows what you’re responding to. The issue isn’t necessarily the layout. It’s the feeling. That’s useful information.

Tell Us What You Do Like, Too

Feedback doesn’t only have to focus on what’s wrong. Knowing what works can be just as helpful. For example: “I like the typography and the overall layout. It’s really the image that isn’t connecting with me.” That tells the designer not to start over unnecessarily.

The same applies to editing. Maybe an editor made several changes to a paragraph and one doesn’t feel like you. Instead of rejecting the entire edit, identify the concern. “I understand why this was shortened, but this particular sentence sounds more formal than I normally speak.” Now there’s something to work with.

Be Careful With “I’ll Know It When I See It”

Sometimes you really don’t know exactly what you want. That’s normal. But if the only direction you’re able to give is “I’ll know it when I see it,” the creative process can quickly become frustrating for everyone involved. Try providing references.

Maybe it’s another book cover whose simplicity you like.
Maybe it’s a color palette.
Maybe it’s a feeling.

You’re not asking someone to copy another book. You’re giving them clues about your preferences.

Separate Preference From Function

There will also be times when something you personally prefer may not be the strongest publishing choice. You may love a particular font that becomes difficult to read at thumbnail size. You may want several paragraphs on the back cover when shorter copy would be easier for readers to scan. You may want an image positioned somewhere that creates problems when the book is trimmed. This is where professional guidance matters.

Ask why. There may be a technical or reader-experience reason behind the recommendation. You can still have preferences. But understanding the reasoning helps you make a more informed decision.

Don’t Wait Until the End

If something concerns you, bring it up when you notice it. Don’t approve several stages while quietly hoping the problem will somehow correct itself. By the final production stage, what began as a small adjustment may require significant rework. Timely feedback protects both the project and the relationship.

Feedback Isn’t Conflict

Some authors hesitate to speak up because they don’t want to be difficult. Others worry that questioning a recommendation means they don’t trust the professional they’ve hired. Neither has to be true. Respectful disagreement is part of collaborative work.

You can say: “I understand your recommendation, but this part of the message is important to me. Can we explore another way to accomplish both?”

That’s not conflict. That’s collaboration.

And Sometimes, Trust the Professional

There is another side to this. You hired professionals for a reason. Every suggestion won’t necessarily match what you originally imagined. Sometimes the better solution is one you hadn’t considered.

Give yourself room to listen before immediately saying no. Ask questions. Understand the reasoning. Then decide. Good collaboration isn’t about the author always getting their way or the publisher always knowing best. It’s about working toward the strongest book possible.