What to expect from an edit

No matter the type of edit you’ve had – manuscript assessment, developmental edit, or copy edit – when you receive your manuscript back from your editor, you’ll still have work ahead of you. This doesn’t mean that your writing is bad or that you’ve somehow failed as a writer. This is exactly how the editing process is supposed to work.

When I copy edit your manuscript, I work directly on your text using track changes and comments, making corrections and suggestions throughout. Your manuscript will have edits, comments, and queries that you’ll need to check. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at this point. I get it. Take a deep breath.

The reality of revision

I know you just want to publish your book and get your story into readers’ hands. You’ve spent so much time writing and revising, and now you’re eager to see your work in print. 

But quality takes time, and the time you invest in thoughtful revision at each editing stage makes the difference between a good book and a great one.

Working through the edit

If you’ve worked with me on a copy edit, you’ll receive a few documents:

• editorial comments
• style sheet
• the edited manuscript with track changes showing
• the edited manuscript with track changes accepted

I recommend reading the editorial comments first. Those comments explain my broader thoughts on your story and gives context for the changes and suggestions I made to the manuscript. 

Then it’s onto your edited manuscript. I send you two versions: One shows the track changes and comments, and one has those tracked changes accepted but still shows the comments.

Some authors prefer working off the tracked changes version so they can have complete control over their text. 

Other authors are happy to trust my edits and work on the track changes accepted version. They then just need to work through my comments. 

Reviewing the edits is a matter of reading through the manuscript, reading the comments and suggestions, and making any changes you want to make. This can take time, so go slow, keep your goals for the story in mind, and enjoy the process. You don’t need to smash out the revision in one session.

Also, I don’t leave you hanging. I offer a follow-up video call so you can ask questions about the edit. I can clarify anything that’s not clear or help brainstorm ideas. You can also email me questions.

What happens next?

Once you have worked through the edit, you have choices to make. If the editing was relatively light with not too many corrections or rewrites, you could send your manuscript directly to layout and proofreading.

However, if your edit involved big changes or rewrites, consider investing in a second round of editing. This follow-up ensures that your revisions work with the text and tidies up any new errors or flubs.

Why this process matters

Think of editing as like going on a tramp (or hike, if you’re not a Kiwi). You wouldn’t head off on an overnight trip with just a few snacks and your phone. You’d want to be properly prepared: topo map, hut socks, thermals, sleeping bag, dinner – all that good stuff. 

Your story deserves the same preparation. Each round strengthens your story and ensures your readers can follow your journey without getting lost in unclear prose or distracting errors.

Next steps

Don’t let the prospect of additional work discourage you from working with an editor or publishing your book. Every successful author – traditional and self-published – has experienced this process. 

The extra time you spend refining your manuscript will pay off: you’ll tell the story you want to tell, your readers will have a great experience, and you’ll have the satisfaction of taking pride in all your hard work.

Read more about my manuscript evaluations

Get the details for my adventure editing

Apply for a free sample edit

Ready for proofreading? Check out the Proofreading Checklist