There are some seriously misconstrued ideas about editors out there. First, there’s the newspaper editor that is usually some rough-around-the-edges crone yelling from her office to get the copy on her desk, NOW! There is that snobbish devil of a woman donning Prada as she speaks from her holy place of residence on the top floor of some fashion magazine. Finally, there is the book editor with their unholy red pen just waiting to rip your manuscript to shreds with no care of your feelings or the work that went into it. Sounds like a nightmare.
Well I am here to tell you that it’s not a nightmare. I promise you that if you find the right editor to work with, they will be your strongest supporter, and you’ll want to call them all the time and chat. There might even be a slim chance that they will become your best friend in the whole world. Does that sound better?
Here’s a few ways to make sure that you are getting the right editor for your project.
- First and foremost, have you interviewed this person? You need to talk to them. Credentials are great, but this person is going to rip into your very soul (okay, that’s a bit dramatic, I admit). You should know if this person fits with you. Are they communicating in a way that is comfortable for you to understand? Is their editing method going to work within your creative process? Is their energy good or bad for you? One of the things I learned early on is that different writers want different kinds of feedback. That also means that editors have different ways that they edit. It is vital that you discuss this in that first introduction so you can make sure you are a good fit. This is going to be a partnership.
- Do they understand what you are writing about. Are they willing to study, research, and learn? Not all editors know everything; it’s shocking but true. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and I will talk why in an upcoming blog. You should make sure that your editor has an inkling about the subject you are writing about, or they are willing to put in the time and effort to get some know-how. Editors are not just colons and periods, you know? They should be enthusiastic about what they are helping you create.
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- Is your editor willing to tell you that you have lettuce between your teeth? Some independent writers choose the editor that is easy, available, nice, and heaven forbid, cheap. But let me be brutally honest here folks, if your editor isn’t willing to tell you that something needs to be reworked or thrown out in order to spare your feelings, then they are not the editor for you. Look, I told you the editor is going to be your best friend. What kind of friend would they really be if they didn’t tell you that you had a dangling participle or a dropped plot? I should be perfectly clear that many editors will do what they need to and some authors will have the audacity to not take their advice; that’s their dish to eat. But, an editor that you have partnered with is still the unsung wing-man cheering you on. They are investing in your work and hope that their partner doesn’t end up drunk or in prison. Editors can only do so much, and we accept that authors have discretion to choose what to do with what we say. We can live with that. But your editor should never be afraid to say what needs to be said, even when we don’t think you’ll listen.
Ultimately, it’s your call; it’s under your control. Don’t ever let yourself make a decision that feels forced. Pick the editor that will help you make your work shine and cheer you all the way to the top.
If you are interested in getting your manuscript in front of an editor, check out this great blog by Kristin Hamilton, “4 Things Every Writer Must Do Before Publishing.” Kristen Corrects
Write on and Flourish
