Last week, a client asked if I could edit her book after she’s finished the first draft. You might also be asking, “Do I need an editor?” and, “When do I need an editor for my book?” I didn’t handle my client’s question very well, so this post is my lame-ass way of making up for it. I’ll tell you why you don’t need an editor (probably), and why I’m going back on my word to this client.

Urg. Going back on my word doesn’t feel good. 

 

I usually take pride in fulfilling my promises. But I also believe in taking a stand on the things you feel strongly about, so that’s what I’m doing here—even if it means backpedaling a bit.

Here’s what happened

I’m working with Karen (not her real name) to create an outline for her book, which she can then use to guide her writing, so she doesn’t get stuck as she goes along, and can be confident she’s creating a well-structured book.

I love working with Karen. She knows her shit, and she’s still humble and real without any BS. She understands how impactful her book could be to prospective clients who aren’t yet ready to commit to working one-on-one with her, and she’s willing to do the work to make this book thing happen.

So when Karen asked if I could edit her book after she’s written the first draft, I said yes. I’d love to do more work with her, and I’m excited to help her get her book into the world. Of course I want to help her!

But here’s the rub: I don’t offer a “traditional” editing service. By that, I mean that I don’t have a package offering to read through a completed manuscript, find the issues, and go in and edit them.

If you have a finished manuscript (the fancy word for a book before it’s published), then an edit like this is invaluable. It can turn your book from mediocre to life-changing for readers.

So why don’t I offer it?

Because there’s a better option.
 

The better way

Book coaching is a better way. There. I said it.

 

Here’s why this is true:

With traditional editing, you have to write the whole manuscript before an editor will look and tell you what needs fixing. But by then, your one small, weird thing in chapter two might have sent you miles off the rails. If you veered a little bit early on, the slight shift might’ve steered you far away from what you’d hoped to achieve.

When you have a book coach, you get coaching and feedback on your writing every two weeks. This saves you from writing a whole book with some odd writing quirk you could’ve easily smoothed out if only you’d known about it.

Otherwise, by the time you write The End, you’ve repeated that error so many times that it becomes a nightmare to fix.
 

Creating the best reading experience

When you know better, you can do better. But if you wait until you’re at the end, it’s so much harder. You can, and should, still work out the kinks and fix what doesn’t work. That’s the only honorable thing to do.

After all, if you’re asking a reader to give this book their time, you should give them the best reading experience possible.

But god, it’s so much easier to create a good writing experience as you write.

So now, I need to tell Karen that I don’t actually offer a “normal” editing service for when she’s finished her draft. I want her to know that I jumped at the opportunity to work more with her because I love what she’s doing and wanted to support her.

And I need her to know that those editing services don’t align with what I know to be true: The best writing happens with frequent feedback, constant improvement, and accountability to get the damn thing done.

Editing doesn’t offer that. Book coaching does.
 

So do you need an editor?

If you have a finished first draft of your book, hire an editor. Editors do great work. They will improve your writing in unfathomable ways.

If you haven’t finished your first draft yet, don’t wait until the end to get help. There is a better way, a way that:

  • causes less heartache and frustration when pushing through the first draft,

  • improves your skills, so the writing gets easier as you go, and

  • creates a better book in less time.

If you haven’t finished your first draft yet, get a book coach. It doesn’t have to be me (although I’d love it if it was). It just needs to be someone who knows their shit, and who will help you finally finish your book and know that it’s good.

I’m off to forward this page to Karen as my lame-ass way of admitting I don’t really believe in waiting until the end to get an editor. Cross your fingers for me that she’ll forgive my backpedaling!