So, you typed “The End”… now what?
First of all, congratulations! You did it! So, give yourself a big pat on the back before reading the rest.
It’s tempting to send your manuscript to an editor right away, but rushing too soon can waste money and momentum. I am not saying that you can’t send a first or early draft to an editor, I’ve edited first drafts and tenth drafts, and sometimes I wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.
Truth is that every writer is different, and if you have done a really good job plotting before drafting, revising the plot until you were satisfied, your story may be a great candidate for developmental edit even at its earliest draft.
But, as I said, every writer is different, so here’s a quick checklist to help you decide if you’re ready.
- You know your story’s main conflict and ending.
- You’ve checked for plot holes, timeline issues, or unfinished threads (and if you are unsure, don’t worry, that’s what editors are for, to get where you can’t).
- You feel too close to the story to see its flaws.
- You’re preparing for querying or self-publishing.
If you can tick most of these boxes, you’re in a great place to bring in an editor.
The reason why, sometimes, an early edit can be advised against is because you may pay for feedback on things you could have spotted yourself. The best edits happen when you’ve taken your story as far as you can alone, using the methods that best fit you.
If you nodded at most of these signs, your manuscript may be ready for the next step.
