Joy Peskin is the senior executive editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Here, she shares five tips for authors navigating the at times uneasy transition after an editor’s departure, and for making the best of new working relationships.

As a children’s book editor with 30 years of experience, I know that publishing is built on relationships. One of the most important bonds is the creative partnership that forms between an author (or illustrator) and editor. So it can come as a real blow to you, the creator, if your partner leaves before the publishing journey is complete.

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked at Penguin (twice), Scholastic (once), and Macmillan (happily since 2012). I’ve been the newbie coming on board, the one leaving, and the manager tasked with letting authors or illustrators know their editor is departing. Based on my range of experience, here are some tips for managing this transition if it happens to you.

1. Feel your feelings. It can be really upsetting when an editor moves on. Take time to mourn the loss. This may be someone who has shepherded many of your books to publication, or it could be the person who just bought your debut. While, of course, the editor is not making this choice with the intention of hurting you, you may well feel hurt, sad, or angry. But remember: An editor leaving isn’t always a bad thing. Maybe your once solid bond had frayed over time. Whether you two were going strong or limping along, bear in mind that recoupling can bring new energy to your work.

Tip for editors: Be kind when sharing the news of your departure and reassure authors and illustrators that they’ll be well cared-for moving forward.

2. Understand what’s happening inside. When an editor leaves, generally, the head of the group (either the editorial director or publisher) is tasked with matching their projects with different editors. This process is complicated and can take time; be patient, but if more than a few weeks pass, check in. Also, try to keep in mind the reason the editor is departing, and take that into account in terms of your response. Some editors leave because they’ve found a new job; other editors leave due to illness or other sensitive issues. When a team member exits under sad circumstances, be kind. Of course you’re wondering what will happen to you, but keeping the initial focus on your editor’s wellbeing will be very much appreciated.

Tip for editors: Be sure to let your creators know the right person to contact in your absence.

3. Involve your agent (if you have one). Your agent can help make sure your book lands in the hands of just the right other editor at the imprint. Talk with your agent and find out what they know about the other editors in the group. If the re-pairing has already happened, get your agent’s opinion on whether it seems like a good match. If the introduction to a new editor will be forthcoming, there could be an opportunity for your agent to talk to the person in charge to express which qualities are most important to you. If you don’t have an agent, don’t worry: You can advocate for yourself by connecting directly with the imprint head.

Tip for editors: Always include the agent (if the creator has one). You may even want to inform the agent first, so they can help manage the messaging and add an additional layer of support.

4. Stick the landing. Be sure to have a final call or email exchange with your previous editor. Thank them for all they’ve done and keep the lines of communication open. Perhaps you’ll have another deal with them in the future. When I started at a new company, I was really touched when some of the creators with whom I had worked reached out with best wishes in the form of a hand-written note or other thoughtful gesture.

Tip for editors: Let your authors and illustrators know you’re leaving yourself, if circumstances permit. Tell them with as much notice as possible, but ideally, once you have at least some concrete information to share about the transition.

5. Build a new relationship. Agented or not, you may not always have a say in who your new editor is. My advice is this: Be willing to give it a try, even if the match wasn’t exactly what you had in mind. Ask for a virtual meeting to get to know each other. Be sure to mention which productive practices you and your former editor had in place, along with any ideas you may have for doing things differently.

Tip for editors: When taking on a project because a colleague is leaving, do your very best to assure the author and artist that you’ll shepherd their book to publication with the same thought, care, time, and attention that you bring to the projects you’ve acquired yourself.