In his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King quips (perhaps seriously) that “to write is human, to edit is divine.” It’s a witty reworking of the adage about forgiveness, but it also highlights just how crucial editing is to the craft of writing.

As an editor myself, I can say without bias that editing is perhaps the most intimate—and essential—part of writing. In my younger days, particularly while dabbling in poetry, I naively believed that whatever flowed onto the page was the purest form of art, not to be touched afterwards. This mindset quickly changed, and for good reason. While I could occasionally get away with that approach in poetry, prose is an entirely different beast. Every story needs sculpting—polishing the rough stone until it gleams. Editing is the only way to achieve this transformation.

Why editing matters
The editing stage is critical for several reasons. First, understand that your first draft is never the version you’ll publish. For those pursuing traditional publishing, editing is typically part of the publisher’s process, aimed at refining your work to meet market standards. Even if you self-edit before landing a publishing deal, the final manuscript will still undergo professional editing before hitting the shelves.

For self-published authors, the responsibility of editing falls entirely on your shoulders. While many writers attempt to handle this themselves, hiring a professional editor is strongly advised. This is also where understanding the different types of editing becomes invaluable.

Types of Editing: choosing the right fit
Good editing isn’t cheap, so knowing your options helps you choose what’s best for your manuscript and budget. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of editing:

· Developmental Editing – Big-picture editing that focuses on content, structure, and overall flow.
· Substantive Editing – Polishes prose and ensures ideas are presented effectively.
· Structural Editing – Organises and refines the layout and structure of your content.
· Editorial Assessment – Evaluates elements like plot, characterisation, and style.
· Line Editing – Sharpens sentence structure, tone, and clarity.
· Copy Editing – Ensures accuracy, grammar, and readability, preparing your work for publication.
· Proofreading – The final pass to catch lingering errors before publication.
· Fact-Checking – Verifies the accuracy of technical or factual information.

For my novel Leech, I opted for Developmental Editing, Copy Editing, and Proofreading. After 11 years of writing, I knew the manuscript had inconsistencies that required expert attention.

My editing experience
I found my incredible editor, Stephanie Wilson, on Fiverr. She initially conducted an editorial assessment while I was halfway through Leech. Once I completed the manuscript, she provided a thorough critique, highlighting inconsistencies and offering actionable insights.

If you’re unsure of what a developmental edit looks like, I’ll share a brief section of Stephanie’s work plan she outlined in her brief for Leech:

“As I dive into the developmental edit, I’ll be focusing on ways to sharpen the narrative, deepen the characters, and ensure the story flows seamlessly while maintaining its unique voice. I’ll go over key areas, including the balance between introspection and action, character motivations, pacing, stakes, and more. The goal is to refine the manuscript into something even more dynamic and emotionally engaging while staying true to your vision.”

A good sign that you’ve hired a good editor is when they take the time to explain to you their process and what you should expect. Stephanie spent four weeks analysing my manuscript using the approach mentioned above. Her feedback, delivered in a ten-page editor’s brief and annotated manuscript, covered everything from overarching issues to chapter-by-chapter recommendations. We even scheduled a call to brainstorm solutions and plan the next steps.

Receiving feedback can be nerve-wracking, but I’ve learned to embrace it. Early in my writing journey, I struggled with critiques because I sought input from the wrong people. I was happy to learn that you need to find genre-specific experts whose guidance will help your work in the right way.

What comes next?
With Stephanie’s feedback in hand, the rewriting phase begins! This involves brainstorming, mapping out ideas, filling narrative gaps, and weaving the changes into a cohesive whole. It’s daunting but also thrilling—proof that my book is evolving. My advice? Take a short break before diving into revisions. A clear mind is essential for this phase. Once rewrites are complete, I’ll likely reconnect with Stephanie to ensure I’ve addressed all the major issues. After her approval, it’ll be time for the next round of editing.

Finding the right editor
For writers in regions with limited publishing infrastructure, finding specialised editors can be challenging. Most local resources often focus on copyediting and proofreading which cover broader bodies of work. However, platforms like Fiverr and other freelancing sites make it easier to connect with editors in the above specialisations and more worldwide. Always vet their credentials and reviews before hiring. Both Stephanie and Jim Parsons (my writing coach)—came from online searches, and their expertise has been invaluable.

Looking ahead
In my next column, I’ll delve into the world of traditional publishing and the steps I’m taking to navigate it. It is uncharted territory for me, but like every aspect of this journey, I’m approaching it with patience, research, and a determination so see Leech come to life.

If you’re curious about writing, publishing, or editing—or if you’d like advice—feel free to reach out at thewritemind@gmail.com.