Writing Real Talk: How to Make the Most of Editorial Feedback

Hiring an editor is a big step in your journey as a writer.

You’ve invested countless hours and boundless mental energy into crafting your story. Now, you’ve taken the incredibly vulnerable step of opening yourself up to feedback. Plus, you’ve invested your hard earned money in hiring an editor. After putting in that time, money, and effort, you need to make sure that your investment pays off in revisions that move your story forward. 

A great editorial experience starts with hiring the right person (check out my tips for finding the right fit here) but there are things you can do after you get the editorial package back to ensure that you make the most of your editor’s feedback.

Here are my top five tips:

Tip #1: Approach the editor’s feedback with the right mindset. 

Don’t open the edit letter expecting to get rave feedback on every single part of your book. If your book is already perfect, there’s no point in hiring an editor. While you should expect the editor to point out what is working so that you can build on your strengths as a writer, be ready for the critique to sting a little. It’s only natural to get defensive about your work, but staying open-minded is essential. 

On the flip side, it’s equally important to evaluate the editor’s feedback critically. Don’t reflexively accept all of their suggestions just because they’re a professional. A good editor will explain the reasoning behind their suggested changes and offer multiple revision options to consider. Evaluate each suggestion in the context of the project as a whole, and don’t be afraid to modify or reject a suggestion that doesn’t quite mesh with your vision. 

Tip #2: Read the entire editorial report (probably more than once) before you start making changes. 

Developmental editing is about story level changes. Feedback on one aspect of the manuscript often has implications for other parts of the story. As a result, the editorial letter for a developmental edit contains many interrelated parts. Rather than jumping into revision planning after reading the first section of the editor’s letter, I recommend reading and reflecting on the entire letter before you start planning any changes. 

Tip #3: Sleep on it and don’t be afraid to follow up.

I recommend processing your editor’s feedback in small doses. Give yourself plenty of time to reflect, brainstorm, and make decisions about how to move forward. Many editors offer follow-up Zoom calls so that you can ask questions and get further insight into their recommendations. Make sure you take advantage of that opportunity, but don’t feel pressured to meet right away. Most editors will give you flexibility about when that follow-up call happens–it’s worth it to take a couple days (or a couple of weeks) to process their feedback before you chat.

Tip #4: Use editorial feedback as a starting point, not a to-do list.

There’s a key difference between an acquisitions editor and a freelance editor. An acquisitions editor is offering to pay money for your book—if they tell you to make a change, you better make it unless you have a really, really good reason not to. A freelance editor is paid to read and provide feedback on your book. Their suggestions are merely that—suggestions. An editor’s job is to offer their professional insights into what will make your story better. Ultimately, you’re in control.

Use the editor’s feedback as inspiration. If a suggestion takes you in a different direction, follow it and see what happens! You never know which idea will spark an insight that makes your story better than you could have ever imagined!

Tip #5: Listen to your gut, but don’t let emotions run the show. 

Though you shouldn’t take your editor’s feedback as law, don’t reject all of their feedback just because it doesn’t feel good when you first read the editorial report. If this sounds like a contradiction to tip #4, you’re not wrong. It’s a delicate balancing act. 

What I mean is that sometimes your feelings are trying to protect you from hard work and painful decisions that will ultimately make your story better. Sometimes your initial gut reaction is masking a difficult realization about your story and an in-depth revision that it truly, truly needs. So, if an editor’s feedback makes you feel a little squirmy, dig deep, reflect, meditate, or journal, whatever it takes to figure out whether that feedback is truly misaligned with your vision or simply pushing you toward a realization that you’re not ready to accept. 

I hope these tips help you make the most of your editor’s feedback! Still looking for the perfect editor for your project? Check out my editing services or book your free sample edit today! 

And, as always, happy writing!!