How to Tell if Your Book is Ready for Edits

When you're new to writing, it can be hard to know when the right time is to send off your book for edits. 

Is it after the first draft? (No)

The second? (Still no)

The truth is, before you get to the editing phase, there is still a whole lot of work to do. So, this handy checklist will help you to know if it's time to turn your precious manuscript over to your editor! 

1. Have You Taken A Break?

The first draft can take a lot out of you, especially if you've written it quickly. Before you do anything else, take at least a couple of days, but ideally a week or two, before you go back in to re-read what you wrote. You need fresh eyes to tackle the next stage of editing, and if you dive right back in directly after you've written 'The End,' you aren't looking at it with a clear head. 

ALWAYS take a break.

2. Have You Asked For Feedback?

Before you tackle any more writing, it's time to find yourself a few beta readers. Ideally, ask someone who is going to give you honest feedback and not just blow smoke up your butt because this is the time to iron out any issues. You need to ensure the people you choose are going to give you clear, concise feedback to help you shape your plot more effectively, so you can go into the next round of edits with clear direction.

3. Have You Applied the feedback?

This might seem like a silly thing to include, but sometimes, I hear that people aren't applying beta feedback until they also get their developmental editor's feedback too. That may feel smart, so you only have to go through all of the suggestions once, but the truth is, it makes it more confusing. Your developmental editor should only get your manuscript when YOU have made it the best you can. So, deal with the betas' suggestions first. 

4. Have You done a Final Self-Edit?

Take another break once you have applied the feedback from your betas, and then? One more read-through from you is a must! While your aim isn't to make the book perfect, you do need to ensure that you give your editor the best version of the book you can. Trust me, we don't expect a fully-polished book to come to us; otherwise, editors would be out of a job! But as long as you have done your absolute best, you are good to go! 

5. Are You Prepared For Constructive Criticism? 

THIS is the hard part. Because while most authors THINK they're ready, they don't always expect to get as many comments and suggestions as they do. The thing to remember is that your editor is not trying to be cruel or make a statement about the quality of your work. They are trying to help you take what you have and make it stronger. Most editors will deliver their feedback in a way that doesn't make you feel bad; if they do make you feel bad, they might not be the right fit for you, though some authors do prefer harsh criticism! At Karen Sanders Editing, we prefer the gentler approach! 

So, before you send your heart and soul to your editor, be prepared. More work will almost always be needed. 

Have You Done All of the Above?