There is nothing quite as thrilling as receiving feedback and edits from an editor on your manuscript. It’s like getting a present that you didn’t even know you wanted, but it turns out to be exactly what you needed.

Whether you’re looking for an editor or a critique partner, this post is going to help give you some insight about how to find a good partner to work with and what I personally went through during my editor/writer experience.

Finding a Good Editor

This is going to be all up to you and the research you’ll do. My first suggestion is to look up hashtags or go through your contacts to see if anyone is offering editing services OR offering their time to be your Critique Partner. Making those connections is VITAL to your growth as a writer and a member of the book community. It’s okay to ask for help–we’re all here for each other!

Editor or Critique Partner–Which one?

This is a really good question. However, I’m going to break it down to you quickly: Critique Partners are free–these partners should be fellow writer friends within your bookish community. I’ve had several Critique Partners (Dylan, Tati, Alexa, and Emerson to name a few). I absolutely adore my CRs because they are my hype-people. They give great feedback, tell me to change things if they don’t make sense, and challenge me to add detail or explain more. However, I don’t rely on them for editing because that’s A LOT to ask of someone doing really challenging work for free.

So this is where the Editor comes in: $$$. But that’s okay–because they are doing a job and helping YOU make your manuscript the best it can be. They can do line edits, developmental edits, and even proofreading. They can do it all!

Do I Need to Pay for an Editor?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I promise. Paying for an editor is simply a privilege that some writers have. Honestly, some of my writer friends who are traditionally published tell me, “No, Bradley! Don’t pay for an editor. You will have someone edit your novel when you get picked up!” However, for me, that plan doesn’t sit well with me. I’m the kind of person that wants to go through as many resources I can before submitting a final work to an agent/publisher–especially with how difficult the publishing industry is to break into these days. But, to answer your question, no. You do not need to pay for an editor–but you better at least find a Critique Partner you can bounce ideas off of or help set you straight with developmental notes.

My Editor/Writer Experience

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with an editor (Shelby over at @literaryfaery on insta) on my manuscript for Go Easy On Me. I had sent it to her with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, knowing that there were parts of the story that needed work but also hoping that she would see the potential in it.

When I received her feedback and edits, I was blown away. Not only did she point out the weaknesses in the story, but she also gave me concrete suggestions for how to fix them. She didn’t just tell me what was wrong, she showed me how to make it better.

As I worked through her suggestions, I could feel the story coming to life in a way that it hadn’t before. The characters became more fully realized, the plot became more compelling, and the themes became more meaningful.

It’s not always easy. There were times when I had to let go of things that I had been attached to, or rewrite entire sections of my novel. But each time I made the changes, I could see the improvement. And the more I worked on it, the more excited I became about the finished product.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous when I sent the revised manuscript back to my editor. What if she didn’t like the changes? What if I had misunderstood her suggestions? But when I received her final response, it was overwhelmingly positive. She praised the changes I had made and offered a few more minor tweaks to make it even better.

Working with an editor can be an intimidating prospect, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences for a writer. When you find someone who can help you see your work in a new light and give you the tools to make it shine, it’s like discovering a treasure trove of ideas and insights that you never knew existed. I can’t wait to see where my writing journey takes me next, with the help of amazing editors like the one I worked with.