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If you’ve ever worked on a nonfiction manuscript—especially in genres like business, true crime, or self-help—you know that authors often include a lot of facts, figures, and claims.
And sometimes, those claims make you pause.
Maybe a stat feels a little inflated.
Maybe a date doesn’t line up with what you think you remember.
Or maybe the author is referencing someone and spelling their name three different ways.
So what do you do?
Well, if you’re like many editors (me included), you hop on Google. And then ten minutes later, you’re elbow-deep in a completely unrelated Wikipedia article, wondering how you got there.
That’s the fact-checking rabbit hole.
It’s real. It’s tempting. And if you’re not careful, it’ll eat into your editing time fast.
Here’s how to avoid that while still doing your due diligence.
Table of Contents
What’s Your Role as the Editor?
Unless fact-checking is explicitly part of your agreement with the author, you are not expected to verify every single thing in the manuscript. You are expected to
- Flag obvious or suspicious errors
- Ensure consistency (names, places, dates, etc.)
- Check that basic facts support the author’s credibility
You’re not writing an academic paper. You’re helping polish and professionalize the manuscript.
How to Fact-Check Without Falling Into the Abyss
1. Spot the Red Flags
If something makes you pause or raises an eyebrow, check it. Overly round numbers (like “75% of people…”), big claims without citations, and inconsistencies in details are my top triggers.
2. Google Strategically
When I’m doing a Google search to make sure the fact is verifiable, I try to use keywords from the sentence to help me find the source as quickly as possible. I often copy and paste the sentence into the search bar. Sometimes the results will show an exact match to the sentence, which means that the author might need to work on how they incorporate info into their manuscript and how they cite their sources to avoid plagiarism.
It’s also important to stick to reputable sources as much as possible so you know they’re trustworthy (e.g., government sites, well-known publications, academic institutions).
3. Time Yourself
Don’t waste time going too deep. It can be hard to stop, but putting a cap on the amount of time you’re willing to spend researching each fact can be helpful. Give yourself a two- or three-minute limit per “fact.” If you don’t find a clear answer, leave a comment for the author instead of spending half an hour playing detective.
4. Flag It Clearly
Use your comments to communicate concerns. Example:
“I couldn’t verify this stat. Do you have a source you can include? Please double-check.”
Let the author take it from there. It’s their job to provide evidence.
5. Track the Bigger Issues
If the manuscript is full of questionable claims or unsourced data, raise it with your client. The author may need to go back to the drawing board with the help of a developmental editor or subject-matter expert.
Pro Tip: Consistency = Credibility
Even if you’re not doing in-depth fact-checking, be on the lookout for internal consistency:
- Is the expert’s name spelled the same throughout?
- Is the timeline of events logical?
- Is the percentage cited in chapter 2 the same in chapter 8?
Those small details build (or break) trust with readers.
Final Thoughts
Fact-checking is part art, part instinct. You don’t need to know everything—but you do need to know when something doesn’t feel right.
Set boundaries around how much you check. Communicate clearly with your clients. And most of all, trust your editorial spidey sense.
Honestly, that gut feeling you get when a fact seems a bit “off” is usually right.
If you want to learn more about fact-checking, The Chicago Guide to Fact-Checking by Brooke Borel is a useful resource.
