Because working with an editor should be delightful, not scary.

Let's be honest. When you start working with an editor for the first time, it can feel a little scary.

You’re sharing your manuscript, the project you’ve worked so hard on, with a stranger on the internet. You’re inviting another person into a process that up until now has been entirely solo.

And you’re entering an industry of professionals that’s probably entirely new to you. What should you expect? And what’s expected of you?

In this episode, I’m demystifying what it’s like to work with an editor. I’m sharing four tips to help you make the most of your time with your editor—even (or especially!) if you’ve never worked with an editor before.

You’ll learn:

• What NOT to do while you wait for your editor’s feedback
• 10+ things you CAN (and maybe should!) do while you wait
• What to do AFTER you get your feedback to move forward with clarity and confidence
• And more!

Your work with your developmental editor can be one of the most rewarding creative partnerships you’ll ever experience. That may sound hyperbolic, but it’s 100% true.

The first step is simply knowing what to expect. And that’s what you’ll learn in this episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Check out my manuscript wishlist: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
• Want me to edit your book? Tell me about your book here: alicesudlow.com/contact
• Ep. 66: 4 Tips to Find the Right Editor for Your Novel

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

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Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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What you need to know BEFORE you start working with an editor—and how to tell if they’re the right fit for your novel.

Working with a developmental editor can be the most rewarding part of your editing process.

But if you’ve never worked with an editor before, it can also be . . . intimidating. Confusing. Scary.

After all, you’ve got to hand your manuscript that you’ve worked so hard on to a stranger on the internet and hope their feedback will be helpful and not soul-crushing.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find the right editor for your book—

—or maybe you’ve worked with an editor before, and it wasn’t a great experience—

—then this episode is for you. In it, I’m sharing my top tips to find the right editor for your novel.

You’ll learn:

• What you should know BEFORE you start looking for an editor
• 6 criteria to vet editors to see whether they’re the right fit for you
• 5 questions to ask to make sure you and your editor are on the same page
• And more!

When you find the right editor for your book, the developmental editing process can be so incredibly rewarding. My coaching clients often tell me that the hour we spend together on calls is their favorite hour of the week.

But if you don’t know how any of this works, you might feel a little lost. So let’s make it a little clearer and easier, shall we?

And if you’d like to see if I’m the right editor for your novel, let’s talk!

Go here to check out my manuscript wishlist and see whether I’m a good fit for your
story.

And go here to reach out and tell me about your book!

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Check out my manuscript wishlist: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
• Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

What we get wrong about creativity—and the truth that will make your writing and editing so much more effective.

Do you know how great stories work?

Scratch that. Let’s start with an easier question. Do you know how your stories work?

Not all writers do. Even published authors often struggle to articulate how they created the books their readers love. They rely on intuition, following gut feelings to shape their stories.

But while your intuition can guide you to create a commercially successful novel . . .

. . . I believe there’s a better way. An easier way. A less confusing and chaotic, more reliable and repeatable way.

And that’s what this episode is all about.

In it, you’ll learn:

• What we get wrong about our own creativity
• The truth about writing and art that exceptionally successful writers (probably) don’t want you to know
• What I find most amazing about traditional publishing (seriously, I think this is bonkers)
• And more!

Your intuition is a powerful storytelling tool. But it’s not your only tool.

And in this episode, I’ll show you why that’s such wonderful news.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
• Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene

P.S. What do you get when an editor and a nuclear physicist walk into a swing dance? Powerful truths about jazz music and storytelling, it turns out. Check out the episode to see what I mean.

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Why group coaching might be the perfect way to get feedback on your writing.

When I was first getting started, I pictured editing like this:

A writer writes a manuscript and sends it to their editor. The editor writes feedback and sends it back. The writer takes that feedback and uses it to edit their manuscript.

That’s the classic form of editing. But it’s far from the only form of editing.

Editing doesn’t even have to be one-on-one. In fact, sometimes group coaching can be exactly what you need!

In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of group coaching for writers.

You’ll learn:

• How group coaching combines the best features of critique groups + one-on-one editing
• What you CAN’T learn one-on-one (but you can learn in a group!)
• One group coaching caveat to watch out for
• And more!

Group coaching isn’t better than one-on-one editing, or vice versa. It’s just different—a different experience that can meet different needs in your writing in a different way.

In fact, you might decide to try both group and one-on-one editing at different points in your writing career. So it’s great to know what your options are!

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Join the Scene Mastery Workshop waitlist: alicesudlow.com/workshop

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

The simple editing process to turn your messy first draft into a second draft you love.

“I’ve written first drafts before, but I’ve never edited a second draft. How do you actually do it?”

A writer asked me this a few days ago. And they’re not alone—it’s a question I hear a lot.

How do you actually edit a novel? Is there a process? A system? A strategy? Something, anything, to guide you after you finish the first draft?

Yes. Yes, there’s a process to edit a novel.

Better yet, it’s a simple process. (That doesn’t mean it’s easy—don’t get those confused. But it’s not complicated.)

And in this episode, I’ll walk you through this process step by step.

You’ll learn:

• The 5-step editing process I use with all my one-on-one clients
• How to customize this process to make it work for YOU
• The trap you risk falling into if you don’t use this process
• Where the REAL work of developmental editing happens (hint: it’s not about changing the words in your manuscript!)
• Why this process will make your editing clearer, more effective, and more efficient
• And more!

If you’ve ever felt lost, confused, daunted, or completely overwhelmed by the very idea of editing your novel—

—or if you’ve been editing, but you can’t tell whether you’re making progress or just spinning your wheels—

—then this episode is for you.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
• Ep. 31: 3 Ways to Create a Scene List That Makes Your Editing Process (Almost) Easy
• Story Structure: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
• Character Arcs: Three-Act or Four-Act Structure: Which Is Best for Your Novel?
• Theme: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
• Point of View: The Most Important Principle When Choosing Your Point of View

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

It sounds scary, but it’s actually MAJOR editing progress.

What if the best way to make progress on your novel . . .

. . . is to go back to the beginning?

Sometimes, the most effective editing strategy is a page one rewrite.

Yes, that means exactly what it sounds like. You open a blank document and begin writing an entirely fresh manuscript.

It might feel like you’re moving backwards. But you’re not. And in this episode, I’m going to prove it to you.

You’ll learn:

• Why I CELEBRATE when a writer starts a page one rewrite (and why you should too!)
• Why going back to the beginning is an unavoidable part of the editing process
• 2 tips to help you make the most of a page one rewrite
• Why your previous draft isn’t wasted (even if you’re starting fresh with a blank page!)
• And more!

If a page one rewrite is your best next step, consider this episode your pep talk.

You’ve got this. And it’s going to be so, so worth it.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Ep. 61: What It REALLY Means to Make Progress Editing Your Novel

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Editing progress doesn’t always look like you’d expect. Here’s how to recognize it.

If your editing is going great, you’ll enjoy this episode. Honestly, though, if editing feels like the worst thing in the world right now, you’ll love this episode even more.

Here’s what’s in store: How do you know whether you’re really making progress editing your novel?

In the episode, you’ll learn:

• Why editing progress does NOT look like what you might expect
• What counts as editing progress
• The two things that DON’T count as progress
• And more!

If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, or overwhelmed, don’t miss this episode.

I hope it gives you just the boost you need to start this year of writing and editing strong.

One more thing: This year, I’m moving Your Next Draft to a biweekly podcasting schedule. Rather than sharing a new episode every week, I’ll have a new episode every other week.

I’m making this shift to allow me to spend more time with my editing clients. You’ll still get to hear from me on the podcast! I’ll still be sharing the same actionable editing content designed to help you navigate your own novel editing process.

It’ll just be every other week rather than every week.

To hear more about this shift, check out the episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Join my email list for weekly editing tips: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
• Join my waitlist and be the first to know about my openings for new editing clients: alicesudlow.com/waitlist

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Here’s what happens when you absolutely NAIL IT in your story.

Sometimes, you just nail it.

The ideas click. The words flow. The revision works.

Those days are my favorite days to give my clients feedback. When the pieces finally fall into place and the story is transformed for the better.

On those days, I get to share my most joyful editing feedback.

And in this episode, I’m sharing that feedback with you.

You’ll learn:

• Why objective and subjective feedback are essential for great stories
• The difference between your assessment of your story, your beta readers’ assessment, and your editor’s assessment
• What happens when you and I both know your revision works
• And more!

Most of all, though, in this episode, I’m celebrating you. I’m celebrating all the hard work and incredible progress you’ve made in your editing this year.

It’s a short one, but a good one, and a great way to wrap up your year of writing.

Happy editing, and I’ll see you in 2024!

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Your editing process has more in common with building a business than you might think.

Editing a novel and building a business . . . well, they’re actually not all that different.

That’s something I’ve been thinking about all year. As I’ve coached writers through the editing process, I’ve been struck again and again by how similar novel editing and business building really are.

After all, they’re both large creative projects. The kind that demand a lot: grit, perseverance, continual learning. And the kind that lead to incredible rewards for those with the courage to pursue them.

Which means the lessons I’ve learned in this year of building my business also apply to you in your writing. (And I’ve learned a lot of things!)

In this episode, I’m sharing five of my business-building lessons that will apply to your novel, too.

You’ll learn:

• Why you might be closer to building your own business than you think
• My #1 marketing tip for a business or a book
• The mistake I made at the beginning of my business and how I’m fixing it now (hint: frozen burritos may be delicious, but they are not entirely nutritious)
• And more!

Your Next Draft is all about inviting you in to the editing tools and strategies I’m using in my own editing practice. And in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and getting a little more vulnerable than usual.

I hope this inspires you to reflect on your year of writing and editing, too. What have you learned this year? What new editing wisdom are you taking into 2024?

Links mentioned in the episode:

• For a podcast all about building an editing business, check out The Editing Podcast with Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle.

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

The year’s most popular editing tip, plus four more strategies I don’t want you to miss.

What’s the best editing tip you’ve learned this year?

If you’ve been listening to Your Next Draft all year, there are quite a few to pick from—fifty, in fact.

So in this episode, I’m taking a look back at this year on Your Next Draft. I’ve selected the top five editing tips from 2023, tips you can put to use in your writing right away.

In it, you’ll hear:

• The most popular editing tip from 2023
• The editing principle I use with every manuscript and every client
• The editing strategy a client pitched me (that has since become one of my favorite tools!)
• And more!

It’s been a great year on the podcast. I can’t wait to share more editing strategies with you in 2024!

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Get my Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
• Find J.D. Edwin’s books: jdedwin.com
• Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
• Ep. 23: 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your Novel
• Ep. 20: Listen in on a Real-Life Scene Edit with Author and Editor Kim Kessler
• Ep. 33: The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
• Ep. 35: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
• Ep. 50: Use This One Editing Tip for Everything You Write

Send me a Text Message!

Want my support in your revision?

In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »