This is a great article by a freelance editor who clearly loves what they do and has the generosity to share the types of support an author can expect. It's also important for authors to check the qualifications of their freelance editor and their editor's reviews. There are lots of people advertising themselves as editors with little or no reputable training.
Oh Gillian, I'm sorry your work isn't more rated so that you can go to the ball! I'm sure someone who looks after invites to big literary gatherings reads The Honest Editor and will put you onto their guest list pronto [fingers crossed emoji]
This was super interesting! Speaking of revisions, Phoebe I was hoping you could give your thoughts or share your insight on R&Rs? I received one from a Big 5 editor and I feel like it's not discussed much in the submission process. I'm grateful to be given another shot, but also well aware it still may not work out - curious if you've had experiences with them and any guidance!
Yes, I once asked an author to revise and resubmit and she did an amazing job - I signed her and we published several books together when I was at HarperCollins. So it does happen! Honestly, I don’t think an editor would ask for this if they weren’t fairly interested. We just don’t have time to! So I’d say it is a good sign but you’re right that it isn’t a guarantee. In this case she proved she could do the work and she did a brilliant job pushing the manuscript to where it could go, and it was a successful launch in the end. You’re right that it isn’t talked about much- it’s not super common. I think if the editor has been quite specific then that’s a good sign. I sometimes say “if this author ever writes anything else, I’d love to see it” ie another book, but I’d only ask for a resubmission if I really thought it had potential. Hopefully you/your agent can tell by the tone and level of specificity in your case as to whether the editor means it or is just being polite. Hope that helps? Thanks for reading xx
Thanks so much for the thoughtful response! Yes, it was a clear R&R (we set up a call to discuss feedback from them/second readers), so my agent and I are confident it's a genuine ask. Fingers crossed!
Such an insightful article. I was once allocated a freelance editor by a Big 5 publisher. She did an amazing job and I contacted her to thank her and invite her to the launch. She was delighted and said that very rarely happened. When I later decided to self-publish the sequel, it was a no-brainer to return to her!
Gillian and Phoebe, thank you so much for this. The parts that really struck me personally (as things I might have yet to address sufficiently in my own writing) are about helping the reader really carefully about the characters. There's always something new to learn!
This is so insightful, really found the issues part interesting, as a reviewer these are things that pull me out of a story and often put the book down. Great piece.
This is a great article by a freelance editor who clearly loves what they do and has the generosity to share the types of support an author can expect. It's also important for authors to check the qualifications of their freelance editor and their editor's reviews. There are lots of people advertising themselves as editors with little or no reputable training.
So interesting, thank you!
Thank you for reading!
Met Gillian at, and through, the Lucy Cavendish prize - such an impressive operator
Gilly is the Queen. She should be at every party!
Agree!
Love this, so helpful thank you
Thanks for reading Nora!
Any book can be fixed. The author, not so much. Most writers need an "industry" doctor who can whip them into a goodlookin coastal influencer : )
Thank you for sharing such good advice and insight!
Thanks for reading!
Oh Gillian, I'm sorry your work isn't more rated so that you can go to the ball! I'm sure someone who looks after invites to big literary gatherings reads The Honest Editor and will put you onto their guest list pronto [fingers crossed emoji]
Thanks for reading Julie
Thank YOU for writing it Phoebe
This was super interesting! Speaking of revisions, Phoebe I was hoping you could give your thoughts or share your insight on R&Rs? I received one from a Big 5 editor and I feel like it's not discussed much in the submission process. I'm grateful to be given another shot, but also well aware it still may not work out - curious if you've had experiences with them and any guidance!
I’ll keep everything crossed for you!
Yes, I once asked an author to revise and resubmit and she did an amazing job - I signed her and we published several books together when I was at HarperCollins. So it does happen! Honestly, I don’t think an editor would ask for this if they weren’t fairly interested. We just don’t have time to! So I’d say it is a good sign but you’re right that it isn’t a guarantee. In this case she proved she could do the work and she did a brilliant job pushing the manuscript to where it could go, and it was a successful launch in the end. You’re right that it isn’t talked about much- it’s not super common. I think if the editor has been quite specific then that’s a good sign. I sometimes say “if this author ever writes anything else, I’d love to see it” ie another book, but I’d only ask for a resubmission if I really thought it had potential. Hopefully you/your agent can tell by the tone and level of specificity in your case as to whether the editor means it or is just being polite. Hope that helps? Thanks for reading xx
Thanks so much for the thoughtful response! Yes, it was a clear R&R (we set up a call to discuss feedback from them/second readers), so my agent and I are confident it's a genuine ask. Fingers crossed!
What a brilliant post - such great advice. I love Richmal Crompton - I'm must read more by her!
Thank you for reading x
Such an insightful article. I was once allocated a freelance editor by a Big 5 publisher. She did an amazing job and I contacted her to thank her and invite her to the launch. She was delighted and said that very rarely happened. When I later decided to self-publish the sequel, it was a no-brainer to return to her!
How lovely! Thanks for reading.
Gillian and Phoebe, thank you so much for this. The parts that really struck me personally (as things I might have yet to address sufficiently in my own writing) are about helping the reader really carefully about the characters. There's always something new to learn!
Thank you for reading!
This is a super rundown of how to edit. Thank you, both.
Thanks for reading Rachel x
This is so insightful, really found the issues part interesting, as a reviewer these are things that pull me out of a story and often put the book down. Great piece.
Thank you for reading!