Want to learn some secrets from my industry? Come along!
Most writers know they need an editor long before they’re ready to hire one. It’s part of every author’s long checklist of to-dos that spans from idea creation to holding your published book in your hands.
But wow, there’s a lot of uncertainty and fear involved in this process. It’s scary and intimidating to have someone read your work. Not every editor is the perfect match for every writer. And that’s okay! Just like your book isn’t for every reader. It’s important to find someone who understands your voice and the story you’re sharing.
So let’s talk honestly about what working with an editor is really like.
It Starts With Alignment
A good edit begins with an honest conversation. You and your editor should vibe. Not every editor is the perfect match for every writer. And that’s okay! Just like your book isn’t for every reader. It’s important to find someone who understands your voice and the story you’re sharing.
Before any work starts, your editor should have clarity about:
- What you’re trying to say
- Who you’re writing for
- Where you are in the process
- What kind of feedback you’re open to right now
This stage matters more than most writers realize. Misalignment, not lack of skill, is the reason many editing experiences feel frustrating. This dynamic is a relationship, and like any other relationship, both parties have to start form a foundation of trust, respect, and understanding.
Editors Read Differently Than Readers
When I read your work, I look for patterns. I’m not trying to slash and burn and totally overhaul your manuscript. I’m noticing very specific things:
- Where momentum drops
- Where voice sharpens or blurs
- Where tension rises and where it evaporates
- Where the story hesitates to commit
- Where emotional depth can go deeper
My job is to help you see your manuscript more clearly and pinpoint ways to elevate it.
Feedback Should Be Direct and Thoughtful
Good editing is honest. You don’t grow as an author if your editor simply tells you that everything you write is amazing.
Honest, productive editing means:
- Naming what isn’t working
- Explaining why it isn’t working
- Offering concrete ways forward
I’m a big fan of being direct. That’s what helps writers improve. But feedback should always be paired with solutions.
If an edit leaves you feeling lost, confused, or smaller, something went wrong.
Editing Is a Collaboration
I’m not here to “fix” your book. I want to help you make better decisions.
That means:
- Asking hard questions
- Offering creative options
- Respecting your authority over the story
The things you learn during the editing process should be lessons that carry forward to your next project, and the next. The strongest edits feel like a conversation that challenges you while still honoring your intent.
You’ll Probably Feel Defensive (At First)
This is normal. Seeing your work through someone else’s eyes can be uncomfortable. Even when the feedback is kind and clear, it may touch on things you were avoiding or hoping wouldn’t matter.
But when the editing relationship is supportive, you can hear critique without spiraling or shutting down. I recently had an author tell me, “I hate getting your feedback because my initial reaction is to say it’s all wrong… and then I swallow my ego and realize it’s so accurate!” And I LOVED hearing that. That’s how I know we’ve build a solid dynamic.
A good editor expects this moment and holds space for it. Growth often starts with friction.
The Edit Is Not the End of the Process
Receiving an edit is just another stop along the journey of publishing.
After the edit, you’ll:
- Decide which suggestions resonate
- Rework sections with new clarity
- Strengthen choices you were unsure about
- Let go of things that no longer serve the story
At this phase of the process, I see authors learning to trust their writing instincts and finding more independence in the challenging aspects of the creative process.
What Changes After a Good Edit
Writers often expect cleaner pages. What they get instead is perspective.
After working with an editor, many writers notice:
- Increased confidence in their instincts
- Clearer revision priorities
- Less attachment to what doesn’t work
- More trust in their own voice
That’s the real value of editing. And THIS is why I love what I do. Helping authors find their voice is an honor.
If you’re considering editorial support and want to understand what the process would look like for your work, I’m always happy to talk through options and timing.
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