This is great Michael. I’ve been an editor at several points in my career and think you’re spot on. I often tell people I edit that it’s okay to be mad at me after first reading my edits, after all, I’ve likely told them that they’ve not yet succeeded at something they were trying very hard at. But I remind them that we share a crucial goal--to make their writing better--and that I’m “on their team.”
My guess is that most authors would love to have a collaborative relationship with an editor. I am in an authors group where we share our work with other, and the comments are always positive - I appreciate that. However, it is especially encouraging when someone has a serious close read of one of my articles, and offers a corrective suggestion that improves the work overall.
I feel ya. It’s so important to get positive feedback on our work. However. (Haha.) I also think in current times perhaps too much emphasis has been put on always being positive. I’m not suggesting one should be negative or judgmental; in fact never that; that’s the anti-writing. What I mean is: If you truly want to improve as a writer (versus solely getting your ego stroked) you’ve got to get real substantive criticism. Criticism to help improve the work, make it the very best it can be. Writing is hard. It’s a serious craft. No one gets it right easily.
Also a writer and editor here. Great post. I just did a 3-part series on hiring and working with an editor, and we hit a lot of the same points. You said it more succinctly than I did though. I probably should have had an editor tighten mine up. :)
Great overview for working with an editor! As someone who’s had their work edited before, I know the process leads to many benefits to the finished work.
Reedsy is a fabulous resource for writers as well as a marketplace for writers looking to hire vetted professionals in the industry! I found two editors on Reedsy who were absolutely fantastic to work with and taught me so much about the process of editing. My work has become far better after collaborating with them. I also love the many other fun tools, blog posts, and features.
Kindlepreneur is awesome, too! I always spend too much time getting lost in the endless archive of knowledge on the website. Publisher rocket is a great tool for doing market research as well.
Good post, Michael! Curious to know if you’ve heard of any editors out there doing developmental edits for serialized fiction? Most serial fiction writers I know on Substack and Wattpad don’t worry too much about clean copy, so they skip the line edits. But serial fiction is a different structural beast from a book. One of the biggest challenges of serial, at least in my experience, is structuring the story in a way that brings readers back every week.
Good question. No. I haven’t. But a solid line edit is always helpful. And I think in general whether it’s a serialization or just regular chapters in a book, the art of strong Cliff-hangers is crucial :)
How do editors feel about beta readers? I’ve been exchanging beta reading services with other writers. While it seems to be very helpful, (also kills the ego!) I find myself holding back some comments/ corrections I want to make because I don’t feel qualified to do so. I almost always refer those writers to an editor.
It’s a good question. I definitely think writers need beta readers. That’s a very helpful way to get/give feedback. I do it myself all the time. I think it’s up to each writer to intuitively know when it feels right to shift to a professional editor. Also, though, I think you can always say what you feel as a beta reader when critiquing, but maybe add something like, ‘As a reader I felt...’ In other words: You’re not an expert but this is your honest reaction as a reader.
This is great advice and spot on. As a writer, you can't take editing too personally. You definitely have to feel comfortable with the editor you choose, and trust that you're on the same team. Part of that is knowing they care about improving your project. I was really glad I shopped around and found an editor who could be openminded but honest in reading my novel and giving me useful feedback. It was a bit daunting to give someone license to take a red pen to my ms, but it gave me a valuable perspective on my writing.
This is great Michael. I’ve been an editor at several points in my career and think you’re spot on. I often tell people I edit that it’s okay to be mad at me after first reading my edits, after all, I’ve likely told them that they’ve not yet succeeded at something they were trying very hard at. But I remind them that we share a crucial goal--to make their writing better--and that I’m “on their team.”
Exactly. Well said. Team effort--but it can feel at first (as a writer) like having your skin flayed.
My guess is that most authors would love to have a collaborative relationship with an editor. I am in an authors group where we share our work with other, and the comments are always positive - I appreciate that. However, it is especially encouraging when someone has a serious close read of one of my articles, and offers a corrective suggestion that improves the work overall.
I feel ya. It’s so important to get positive feedback on our work. However. (Haha.) I also think in current times perhaps too much emphasis has been put on always being positive. I’m not suggesting one should be negative or judgmental; in fact never that; that’s the anti-writing. What I mean is: If you truly want to improve as a writer (versus solely getting your ego stroked) you’ve got to get real substantive criticism. Criticism to help improve the work, make it the very best it can be. Writing is hard. It’s a serious craft. No one gets it right easily.
Very well said, Michael!
Also a writer and editor here. Great post. I just did a 3-part series on hiring and working with an editor, and we hit a lot of the same points. You said it more succinctly than I did though. I probably should have had an editor tighten mine up. :)
Love it ❤️❤️🔥🙌
Great overview for working with an editor! As someone who’s had their work edited before, I know the process leads to many benefits to the finished work.
🔥🔥❤️
Reedsy is a fabulous resource for writers as well as a marketplace for writers looking to hire vetted professionals in the industry! I found two editors on Reedsy who were absolutely fantastic to work with and taught me so much about the process of editing. My work has become far better after collaborating with them. I also love the many other fun tools, blog posts, and features.
Kindlepreneur is awesome, too! I always spend too much time getting lost in the endless archive of knowledge on the website. Publisher rocket is a great tool for doing market research as well.
Cool! Yes. Reedsy and Kindle-P; I’ve been on both!
Good post, Michael! Curious to know if you’ve heard of any editors out there doing developmental edits for serialized fiction? Most serial fiction writers I know on Substack and Wattpad don’t worry too much about clean copy, so they skip the line edits. But serial fiction is a different structural beast from a book. One of the biggest challenges of serial, at least in my experience, is structuring the story in a way that brings readers back every week.
Good question. No. I haven’t. But a solid line edit is always helpful. And I think in general whether it’s a serialization or just regular chapters in a book, the art of strong Cliff-hangers is crucial :)
How do editors feel about beta readers? I’ve been exchanging beta reading services with other writers. While it seems to be very helpful, (also kills the ego!) I find myself holding back some comments/ corrections I want to make because I don’t feel qualified to do so. I almost always refer those writers to an editor.
It’s a good question. I definitely think writers need beta readers. That’s a very helpful way to get/give feedback. I do it myself all the time. I think it’s up to each writer to intuitively know when it feels right to shift to a professional editor. Also, though, I think you can always say what you feel as a beta reader when critiquing, but maybe add something like, ‘As a reader I felt...’ In other words: You’re not an expert but this is your honest reaction as a reader.
Thanks, I like that answer!
This is great advice and spot on. As a writer, you can't take editing too personally. You definitely have to feel comfortable with the editor you choose, and trust that you're on the same team. Part of that is knowing they care about improving your project. I was really glad I shopped around and found an editor who could be openminded but honest in reading my novel and giving me useful feedback. It was a bit daunting to give someone license to take a red pen to my ms, but it gave me a valuable perspective on my writing.
Beautiful 🤩