Lately I’ve been in editing mode. I just completed rewrites on Never Leave Me, the second Waters of Time book, releasing early next year. (The first book in the series, Come Back to Me, releases in just a few months!)
After turning it in, I jumped into a line edit for my second Colorado Cowboys book, The Heart of a Cowboy, releasing in October of this year (which, by the way, you can pre-order for a really great deal through BakerBookHouse.com )
When I finish this particular book, I’ll be self-editing the third Colorado Cowboys book before turning it in to my publisher. (And here’s my working image of the hero of book three, Brody McQuaid. Nice, huh?)
My brain hurts from so much editing. In fact, some nights I wake up with dreams of editing!
For all those like me who get confused on the different types of editing, here’s the order a book usually goes through on the way to publication:
Self-editing: Making changes before turning the manuscript into a publisher or professional editor.
Rewrites: (aka Substantive or Macro edits): Focusing on big-picture changes in plot, character arcs, etc.
Line edits: Looking for medium issues, repetitions, accuracy, etc.
Copy edits: Checking for small details like consistency, punctuation, spelling, grammar
Proofing: Nit-picking for tiny mistakes (missed or additional words)
Some authors or publishers may combine two of the above. For example, one of my publishers does both line and copy edits at the same time. Other editors combine rewrites and line edits.
Overall, most books go through multiple levels of intense editing, and the author is involved in every stage, re-reading the entire book for each edit with the end goal of bringing it to a place of near perfection.
The bottom line is that every book needs multiple edits. While friends and family can certainly help along the way, nothing (and I do mean nothing) can help like a good editor.
You may be asking what goes into making a good editor?
I have worked with many, many different editors over the years, and I’ve experienced a wide spectrum of styles, temperaments, and abilities. Through the process, my skin has thickened immensely. I can take quite a bit of criticism. Even so, I don’t like when editors:
- Make snarky comments or putdowns. There’s a kind way to say everything.
- Brow-beat a certain “mistake” over and over. Pointing out the issue a few times early on is enough. Mentioning it all throughout is overkill (and getting frustrated is not helpful).
- Let personal beliefs/values ooze into the edit in such a way that it stifles the author’s voice. Or isn’t familiar with the author’s voice enough to respect it.
- Gloss over the book without changing enough wording or giving enough feedback.
- Micromanage the wording (especially without any rhyme or reason so that the author is always wondering why things were changed).
Obviously there’s no perfect editor the same way there’s no perfect author.
But over time, I’ve learned the qualities I value (and that will likely vary from author to author). For example, I love when an editor isn’t afraid to mark up my manuscript, but who does so with sound reasoning. I love when my editor takes the time to teach me the rules behind changes (so that I can make an effort to improve my skills). I love during rewrites when an editor offers suggestions and helps brainstorm new ideas. I love when an editor is able to highlight my repetitions and help me find ways to trim them.
In summary, I truly value the editing process, especially when I get to partner with a skilled editor. Even though editing is intense and takes a lot of work, it’s something I never skimp on because I want to offer readers the best book I possibly can.
How about you? Readers, how important do you think editing is? And writers, what advice do you have for anyone seeking an editor?
Jody Hedlund
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Thanks for the explanation about different editing. I have often wondered about it. And the thing is, even with all the editing, I often find errors in the final book. I just finished reading a book by a popular author and saw a couple of mistakes. But you are right, no one is perfect. The thing that really bothers me is when someone gives a scathing review because of it. I’ve read books that I absolutely loved( and many other reviewers did as well) but there will be one critical person who runs it down like it was an amateur writer. I often check reviews before making a decision to order a book. So sorry for the person who cannot see past the minor to appreciate the major.
I am an amateur editor and I edit short passages (500~1000 words) for amateur writers in an amateur literary magazine. I usually try to keep the passages as original as possible but sometimes in some cases the writing is really too horrible. (wrong grammar, strange formatting etc.) But I am sure your editors won’t face this kind of problem. 🙂
Editing is a MUST for any publication. I have several fellow-editor friends and we help each other edit works.
A good editor should comment on the book’s strengths and not just point out its weaknesses. Otherwise, it’s very demoralizing.
Editing is extremely important to the finished product. I am not an author, but as a reader, I get extremely annoyed at what I see as simple errors. I have come to realize that many spelling errors are probably the result of the self-correct function on word processors. Even so, they should be caught somewhere along the line in the editing process since so many are glaring mistakes. More confusing are mistakes in word order that confuse the meaning of a sentence. One more observation – I see more errors in ebooks than print books.
I agree with Jocelyn about reviewers who downgrade a book because of some errors – not fair. However, with large numbers of errors, it makes me wonder about the author’s participation in the process and pride in their work!
“Even though editing is intense and takes a lot of work, it’s something I never skimp on because I want to offer readers the best book I possibly can.” Yes!! Just jumping in to say I couldn’t agree more.
As a reader, I definitely value good editing. I am reading a book right now that is a fun and enjoyable plot, but I’m having a really hard time getting through it because of the multitude of errors. It’s so distracting.
Editing is really important to make the final copy flow flawlessly and come across as polished. Also anachronistic things bug me and so does continuity. Not to mention redundancy and grammatical errors.
Great informative post! Blessings!
As a reader, I appreciate a nicely edited book. As a writer, I realize all the work that goes into it. I have been writing with an eye to get published for a few years, and I have learned so much. I am more of a creative than a grammar expert, but I am learning every day. I am also getting thicker skin. It’s not as thick as it will be years from now, but I am grateful when I get the opportunity to learn something new to help take my writing to the next level.
I used to be a language arts teacher and still have to look up grammar rules when helping my daughter with her high school essays. As a reader, though, it really bugs me when a book has glaring errors such as commonly misspelled words. It distracts me from the story, and I’m not likely to read another book from that author. It’s not as bothersome when it’s a repetitive phrase (although that does get annoying.) I think editing is time well spent!
I am not an English teacher nor someone who knows all of the grammar rules. However, when I notice glaring grammatical errors it lessens my opinion of the author and the book. (Okay, an occasional one in an otherwise solid author is forgivable. Many errors isn’t as easily forgivable.) With that said, what bothers me more is logical errors. For example, I once read a book that had two Tuesdays in one week. I spent a good 10-15 minutes making sure it really did have two Tuesdays in the same week (and wondering how that wasn’t caught before publication). Then another book said someone ran out the door chasing the intruder, and then two paragraphs later he’s back in the room with the ladies—but it was understood that those chasing the intruder were still chasing. He had cloned himself. So yes, I am quite thankful for editors and authors who do catch mistakes.