Editorial Feedback: The Way It Should Be

A couple of months ago, I read about an experience an aspiring author had with an editor, and boy, was I disappointed.

She said she’d received her manuscript back from her editor, and the comments were just straight-up mean. Every single one was insulting, so much so that she dreaded reading them. She used words like disheartening and disrespectful and discouraged.

It’s experiences like this that make writers nervous about trusting their “babies” (their stories, that is) with editors.

After you put your blood, sweat, tears, time, energy, and resources into your story, the very least it deserves is respect.

Anywho. What I learned from this aspiring author’s story is that many people don’t actually know what editorial feedback should look/sound like. She didn’t know if this was “normal” treatment to expect from an editor or if it was just that editor’s style.

So let’s talk about it.

Editorial feedback should always be helpful. That means your editor should point out your weaknesses as a writer and the mistakes you make, so you know what to stop doing, AND point out what you do well, so you know what to keep doing. And it means communicating both of these in a way that can be well-received. Because if you can’t receive their feedback well, their feedback does absolutely no good.

Their feedback also does no good if it doesn’t tell you how to correct your mistakes and strengthen your writing.

Feedback should be specific. It should include solutions, lessons, advice, and practical tips and next steps.

As editors, the way we communicate with clients matters. What we say can impact not only your story but also the way you view yourself as a writer. This is a responsibility we must take seriously. We can’t sugarcoat things, but we do have to be mindful about how we deliver “hard” truths.

That being said, if you are looking for an editor, ask them how they deliver constructive criticism and what their comments typically look like. Make sure the way they communicate aligns with your preferences.

Editors—at least the good ones—recognize the power of words. We work with language for a living. We know how to exact tone. So if every single comment sounds harsh, it’s probably not unintentional. And if an editor is ever harsh in their delivery, take that as a reflection of their character, not your writing.

I’m rooting for you.