Good to Know

If I am hired do a copy or line edit, I recommend hiring a separate proofreader or developmental editor to complete the process. I say this because two pairs of eyes are always better than one.


Edits aren’t personal, even though they can feel that way. Remember that your editor’s job is to find and propose solutions to any problems in the manuscript, and they want you to succeed.


As you prepare to read through your editor’s feedback, brace yourself for an initial wave of defensiveness, or even anger. Keep reminding yourself that your editor is there to help. And you should find their comments and feedback helpful, even if they’re surprising or difficult to take in at first. Highly trained editors have years of experience in providing constructive feedback and wording things in a way that promotes collaboration.


For big picture editing, take at least a few days to a week to let the editor’s feedback percolate before contacting them for your follow-up call. Let them know you received the files, but don’t give an impulse to defend yourself point by point or go through their editorial letter and respond to everything you disagree with. Most of the impulses will quiet down after a few days, and you’ll start feeling more receptive to their suggestions.