Episode Overview

In Episode 2 of Just Write Julie, host Julie Navickas sits down with Allison Buehner, founder of Golden Editorial and creator of The Complete Guide to Book Editing, for a strategic deep dive into what happens after you type “The End.”

Together, they unpack the difference between self-editing and perfectionism, how to build a smart feedback ecosystem, and why clarity—not more opinions—is the real key to confident revision. Whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing or building an indie career, this conversation will help you approach editing as a series of intentional decisions instead of an overwhelming blur of red ink.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How Julie & Allison First Connected

• What Editing Actually Is (And What It’s Not)

• Self-Editing as a Strategic Filter

• Craft Rules vs. Craft Judgment

• Traditional vs. Indie Editing Mindsets

• Understanding the Feedback Ecosystem

• Avoiding Feedback Overload

• Building a Smart Feedback Team on a Budget

• The One Question That Creates Clarity

Key Takeaways for Writers

• Editing is a decision-making process—not a perfection contest.

• Not all feedback serves the same purpose. Timing matters.

• Conflicting opinions don’t mean your book is broken—they mean you need clarity on your goals.

• Your publishing path determines your editing strategy.

• Confidence grows when you understand why you’re making revisions—not just what to change.

Guest Spotlight: Allison Buehner

Allison Buehner is the founder of Golden Editorial and the creator of The Complete Guide to Book Editing. She works with authors across publishing paths to help them approach editing with clarity, structure, and confidence. Her work focuses on empowering writers to make informed craft decisions while building sustainable publishing strategies.

Connect with Allison:

• Golden Editorial – https://www.thegoldeneditorial.com/
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thegoldeneditorial/ 
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@allisonbuehner 
• Get the Complete Guide to Book Editing: https://www.thegoldeneditorial.com/store/p19/book-editing-a-complete-guide.html

About the Show

Just Write Julie is the writing podcast where craft meets strategy, and creativity meets clarity. Each episode helps writers strengthen the work on the page—and learn how to position it, communicate about it, and advocate for it with confidence.Listen & Subscribe

Follow and subscribe to Just Write Julie on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

If this episode helped you think differently about editing, share it with a writer friend who’s staring at a draft wondering, “Now what?”

For tools, templates, and behind-the-scenes lessons, visit authorjulienavickas.com and connect with Julie on social media.

Until next time: just write—and don’t be afraid to be strategic about it.