How To Get the Most Out of Working with an Editor
As an author, the relationships you have with your editor, book cover designer, agent, and publishing house are crucial to your success. Every day, I put in a lot of effort to become my clients' favorite editor.
If I can make it onto their list of top editors, our relationship will be more rewarding for both parties. And this goes both ways; having a strong and fulfilling relationship with your editor can lead to a smoother process and make you excited to collaborate now and in the future.
Here Are Nine Pointers To Having The Most Professional And Fulfilling Relationship With Your Editor Possible.
1. Open communication
We are talking about your creative project that you devoted a long time to. Our interactions are about subject matter that is very personal and dear to you. We are not just working on your book, but on your expectations for a career as a writer, and your hopes and dreams. We are talking about art.
Open, honest, gentle, kindhearted, and tactful words are at the core of our conversations. The intention of each conversation is to learn about the other … not just to “get our point across.” It is about listening, not “being heard.”
Say everything you are feeling about the work. What parts went well? What parts do you think could have gone better? Where do you think you shine? And where are you not so sure about the overall impact of your writing?
Lay it all out there and let’s examine it together. That is at the core of editing … it is not really about the grammar and the punctuation. It is about revealing the heart and soul of your novel…. And that requires a lot of genuine conversations.
2. Respect
I am not referring, in this case, to mutual respect always shown between an editor and the client.
I am talking about Respect for the process. Editing is NOT about “changing” what the writer wrote. That sets up an adversarial dynamic right from the start.
Understand rather that editing is a necessary stage in the creative process and is done entirely in a partnership in which are in control.
This is an interactive process with you calling the shots. My input is Rejected or Accepted as you decide. Nothing is mandated. I am guided by your vision.
There is never any need to be defensive or on guard.
3. Send the best version of the manuscript
This is what I do. I take a polished manuscript and analyze it with the eyes of a professional writer with thirty years of experience. I will tell you how well you realized your vision and how well you executed your game plan. I will give you constructive feedback on the core components of your novel and on overall impressions.
That is where the greatest transformation can occur. The truest refinement.
It makes little sense to have me working instead on something that is little more than a rough draft. Why pay me to fix grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and dialogue tags?
4. It is about Growth
As writers, and as people, we have strengths and weaknesses. We grow as both if we learn what ours are.
See editing as a tremendous growth opportunity.
Thousands of famous writers have been quoted thanking their editor for helping them reach their level of success. My dream of success is a writer thanking me in their Pulitzer Acceptance Speech.
5. Use the sample edit
I’ll let you in on a secret. If you use the Sample Edit, there is a pretty good chance you will get a discounted rate.
The Sample Edit is a way for me to determine how much overall work needs to be done. And gauge how much time it will take. Often, I can justify a lower price on a job I know will not take as long. A discount encourages you to become a client … but I can only offer it if I can justify it with a Sample Edit.
6. Share your Successes
Keep your editor in the loop (if they want to be.) I am always eager to hear about my clients' successes! Has an agent shown interest in your manuscript? Have you sold a book? Is the release date approaching? Perhaps you have won an award? Personally, I am invested in knowing these things. While not all editors may feel the same, when my authors achieve success, it brings me a sense of accomplishment. As an editor, my goal is for my authors to experience growth and success in their writing journeys and feel motivated to continue growing.
7. Be human
Be a real person. I’ll be one right back. Remember how fun writing can be. Share jokes, memes, and stories about writing. Talk about anything you want to really. I know about client’s pets, their relationships, their family vacations, their other jobs, their children, their hobbies. It not only makes working together more fun. It is great for me to get to know you. The more I know, the better I can understand how to edit your material.
8. Pay on Time
I don’t really want to include this one. In fact, most of my clients are extremely good about this. But it is worth reminding folks I work hard to hit my deadlines. Please do so, too.
9. Say Nice Things About Me in Public. Please Share Criticism in Private.
That is enough on that, really. I will do the same. Social media is not the place to air your grievance. If you are not happy with something, just let me know and we will work it out. I have dozens of positive reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. But there might be something you are not totally thrilled with. Please don’t turn it into a thing. Just talk it over with me, okay?
Even if we don’t end up working together, I think you will find these are great tips to follow when working with anyone.
