When Your Edit Misses the Mark: Why Revision Edits Matter.
I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again: I’ve connected with too many authors who have had negative editing experiences. If you’ve had a similar experience and need a new editor check out my previous posts: How to Find Your Ideal Editor and Editor Red Flags.
An author that I have worked with before reached out to me earlier this year. They shared about a situation they were going through with a publishing house (PH) and their book. They had signed the contract for this PH and sent them their book to be edited. The PH came back with very few edits, so the author shared the document with me to look over.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The PH came back with very few edits in total. The PH told the author that they had certified editors that only edit what ‘has to be edited.’ I chose a few random chapters, edited them, and then asked the author to send those edited chapters back to the PH. They looked over my work and said my edits were considered ‘extra edits that didn’t need to be made.’ Let me be clear, incorrect grammar and punctuation ARE NEEDED EDITS EVERY TIME.
One thing led to another, and the author took the PH to court. Long story short, the author won and their money spent for the PH to publish their book was returned.
This was a positive ending to a frustrating situation. But it doesn’t always end this way. From most of the stories I’ve heard, the author is out the money spent and left with no where to turn. If this is you, there are options! First, I would highly recommend reading my past posts on How to Find Your Ideal Editor and Editor Red Flags. You can also ask for a sample for future edits here!
This brings us to: REVISION EDITING
A revision edit isn’t another round of polishing. It’s a deep, thoughtful rework of a book that’s already been edited—sometimes even published—to restore what may have been lost and refine what wasn’t quite right. It is designed to fix what you’re unhappy with to make your book shine the way you originally intended.
This process focuses on honoring your voice and your goals as an author while strengthening what’s already there. I look at your manuscript with fresh eyes, revisiting the structure, flow, tone, and consistency.
Other reasons why authors might want/need a revision edit include:
Their first editing experience didn’t match their expectations.
Their editor’s voice overtook their own.
Grammar and punctuation errors slipped through.
The emotional core or pacing of the story feels uneven.
Feedback from readers points to problems that should have been caught.
How I Approach Revision Edits:
Every revision edit with me starts with a sample edit and an honest conversation. We’ll talk about what you hoped for, what didn’t work, and what you’d like to see improved. Then, I take an in-depth look at your manuscript, not to rewrite your story, but to realign it with your intentions.
I believe revision editing should never make you feel like you’ve lost control of your story. My role is to strengthen your work while respecting your voice.
Here’s what you can expect:
Careful re-editing of your manuscript, line by line.
Emphasis on restoring author intent and emotional tone.
Open communication about major changes.
A collaborative, respectful approach that centers your creative vision.
If this sounds like what your story needs, head to my contact page; I’d love to talk with you about it.
