BY TALYA PARDO
My top 5 tips to establish a good author-editor relationship
A good editor does more than just check spelling and grammar; they establish a close and trusting relationship with the author. The editor serves as a sounding board for ideas, and an experienced guide and a mentor who helps the author critically address the important elements of their manuscript to create a polished and marketable finished product.
An editor understands the vision the author has for their story and assists in bringing clarity, consistency, resonance to the manuscript, giving feedback and guidance that not only helps the author create a compelling story, but also leads the author through professional growth in refining their craft.
Trust and Open Communication
Establishing trust and mutual respect is key in the relationship between the editor and the author due to the collaborative nature of the editing process. The editor must have an ability to communicate their feedback constructively while also challenging the author to evaluate and reflect on areas that require consideration. With open and clear communication, the editor establishes and reinforces a sense of trust. With the cooperation and openness of the author, together they create a positive partnership for productive collaboration.
It is important for the author to be receptive to that feedback, with the understanding that the editor has the best intentions and best interests of the author and the story at heart when providing their constructive critique. Most authors develop an emotional attachment to their manuscripts, and a good editor will be sensitive to that while at the same time objectively working to polish and enhance the story.
A Shared Vision
Closely entwined with that relationship of trust is the shared vision for the book. The editor should share the author’s vision and have a clear understanding of the message in order to support the best possible version of the manuscript. A shared vision will enhance the collaboration between editor and author, bringing out the best in both parties, resulting in a higher-quality finished product.
Growth Through Constructive Feedback
The core mission of the editor is to provide constructive critique or feedback of the manuscript. It’s important that the author understand that this input is not personal but rather directed at the story with the purpose of providing the author with a fresh perspective. The editor reads the story as though they were the reader, coming back with questions and responses that their audience would have.
If the editor is effective and clear with their feedback and the author is open to receiving it, this process will help the author improve their writing and hone their craft over time.
Quality Assurance and an Objective Perspective
An editor is trained to examine the manuscript with a keen attention to detail in order to elevate the language or tie up loose ends in the story. Their fresh eyes on the manuscript provide an objective perspective, free from any emotional attachment to the story. Their experience in constructive critique identifies strengths as well as inconsistencies in the plot, character development, and overall flow of the story. The purpose is to provide feedback and suggestions while still maintaining the author’s voice and enhancing the quality of the manuscript.
Editors are trained in the nuances of language. They strive for excellence, ensuring that every aspect of the manuscript has a high standard of clarity, coherence and consistency. The ultimate objective is to enhance the writing to create an engaging, readable, and positive experience for the reader.
Emotional Support and Encouragement
Not only is the editor-author relationship about the technicalities of writing a good book, but it is also about the support throughout the writing and review process. Authors are often emotionally attached to their stories, and with good reason! Writing a book requires that the author pour out their heart on the page. The editor provides emotional support and encouragement, helping to keep them motivated and focused, like a cheerleader. Remember, if the editor didn’t see merit and potential in the story, they wouldn’t have taken on the project. They are in the author’s corner and want to see the best possible outcome for the book.
The power of the editor-author relationship goes far beyond just dotting the eyes and crossing the t’s. It is a partnership built upon a foundation of trust and open communication, a shared vision, and constructive feedback. Authors and editors who establish this strong partnership build a firm foundation for a successful and long-lasting career in the competitive world of publishing.
