How to Handle Editorial Trauma

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin



Over the last few days, I have
been in editorial trauma. It has happened to me over and over in my years in
publishing. I don't like to be here but it is a reality of this business. Every
writer needs an editor (or maybe a series of editors) to help you with your
blindspots, raise questions where information is missing and improve what you
are publishing. Whether you are writing for a traditional publisher or
self-publishing, this editor is a critical partner in producing excellent
work.



Months ago on deadline, I
completed a book manuscript, which is one of the first books in a series from
this publisher. My book will be published later this year and during those
silent months, the publisher was evaluating and talking about the pattern for
their series. Whenever you write one of the first books in a series of books,
there will be revisions and bumps in the process. I've been working through
those bumps this past week and it has not been easy work.



No matter who the publisher or
editor, the process is fairly straightforward. You write your manuscript in
Microsoft Word, then the editor turns on the tracking feature in Word and edits.
If they have questions or need you to fix something, then the editor adds a
comment into the margin which looks like a little post-it on the screen. As the
writer, my role is to go through these questions and answer each one to the best
of my ability. When I am asked for additional information, I add it. When
something needs clarification, I clarify. It's the detailed and important work
for the book to be excellent. While I understand this truth, it doesn't make the
process any easier to complete successfully.



It has been months since I
focused on the content for this book. The publisher eliminated some of the
features (narrowed them) and added a section or two (which now I have to
complete).



Several lessons for you when you
are in the middle of this editorial process:



1. The editor's questions
are professional and not personal. It is all about the work and
producing excellent work for the reader. I've worked with this editor for years
and admire his editorial skill—even if I don't like answering all of the
questions—I answer them anyway and rewrite and improve my book.



2. The process is messy
at times. I've had to do additional research to answer some of the
questions and dig into some reference books on my shelf. I've worked long hours
at my keyboard with a screen covered with questions and editorial
marks.



3. It is all part of the
process of making excellent books which touch lives and help readers.
It does not have to be easy (because it isn't). If it were easy, everyone would
do it.



4. I know I will get
through this editorial trauma—eventually. As much as I've been through
this process over the years, I look at some of those questions and to myself
say, “Enough with all these questions.” Then I get up and take a few minutes
away from my screen. I return to it and keep moving forward and making the
requested changes and adjustments. The mansucript is finite and I will get
through it.



5. Excellent publishing
is a team sport. You can certainly design your own cover, edit your own
book and self-publish. Unless you are a multi-talented person, I suspect your
book will be hard to sell, receive little positive feedback and probably few
sales. There are exceptions to these statements but overall we need each other
to succeed. However you publish, you will have different people on your team who
are experts in their part of the process.



6. I learn a great deal
each time I go through this process. I've published many articles and
books over the years but I am still growing as a writer and learn as I answer
these questions. Months ago I worked hard on the manuscript that I turned in—but
now with this additional work, it will be even better. I can absorb the lessons
from the questions and improve my next manuscript.



I'm going back to my editorial
work and determined to keep moving through it and answer every question to get
this manuscript back to my editor. Then the book can move into copy editing,
proofreading and eventually printing then distribution to the bookstores.



The reality is we don't have to
like every part of the publishing process—but we do need to understand it and
work our way through it to produce an excellent book. I hope this article has
helped you understand it is not easy to produce excellent books but each of us
with persistence (and some patience) can do it.



Have you been through this
editorial trauma process? What tips and insights do you have to get through
it? Let me know in the comments below.



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It is rarely discussed but producing an excellent book is challenging at times. Learn how to handle the editorial trauma from this much published author and editor. (ClickToTweet)