Editing Before the Editor

It is a rite of passage for authors: editing before the editor.

Editing can feel intimidating, especially when you’ve just finished a draft and you’re excited to share it. But before your editor gets your manuscript, there are a few steps you can take that will not only save time and money — they’ll help you hand over the strongest version of your story.

The first step is the Clarity Pass. Read through your manuscript as though it’s brand new to you. Ask yourself if every scene is understandable. Are character motivations obvious? Does the dialogue feel natural? If something feels confusing to you, it will definitely be confusing to your editor and your reader.

Next comes the Continuity Pass, which is where you catch mismatched details and inconsistencies. This is where writers often find funny mistakes — objects changing colors, characters appearing where they shouldn’t be, timelines slipping. Fixing these issues early allows your editor to focus on the story’s deeper layers.

Finally, take a Trim Pass through the manuscript. This means cutting filler words, repeated ideas, and wandering sections that slow the pacing. A leaner manuscript reads more smoothly and gives your editor the chance to improve what really matters.

As you go through these edits, tools like reading aloud or using text-to-speech can help reveal clunky sentences or missed typos. Remember: self-editing isn’t about perfection. It’s about making your story clear enough that your editor can take it to the next level.

Think of pre-editing as giving your manuscript a fresh coat of polish. It’s still your story — just a cleaner, sharper version. And when your editor receives a manuscript that’s already been thoughtfully prepared, the final result will always shine brighter.

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