Editing Misconceptions: Editors Aren’t Monsters
Black eyeglasses beside a notebook and candle. Photo by Marissa Grootes.
Hello readers and writerly friends!
If you’re a returning reader, welcome back and if you’re new to the blog, thanks for stopping by! In this shorter blog post I’m explaining some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the world of manuscript editing. Many people tend to think of editors as the snobby grammar police with their red pens, monsters bent over their keyboards ravenously devouring manuscripts in search of every possible formatting or grammatical error.
Okay, maybe that’s not quite the image that comes to mind or everyone, but editors are often painted in a less-than-flattering light, because many aspiring authors just don’t know how to take constructive criticism. However, these depictions are just simply not true. I was a writer before I ever became an editor, so I am distinctly aware of how hard it can be to share your work. It’s your passion project, your lifelong dream—your book baby. It’s precious to you, and the idea that you’d entrust it to someone else’s eyes is nearly unthinkable. It’s also brave and an essential step in the writing process and your growth as a writer.
Editors are not in the biz to tear your manuscript and your dreams to shreds. Yes, there might be some uncomfortable things that need to be addressed in the process of editing your manuscript, but editors aren’t here to just shoot you down, they’re here to help you.
Think of it this way, for an effective editorial process, writers must view their editors as their partners. Editors are like those friends that tell you about the lipstick on your teeth rather than letting you walk around with a red smudge on your pearly whites all day. Those friends are looking out for your best interests and your editor is doing the same for you and your writing.
You may not always want to hear the comments editors make, but ultimately, we’re here to help you. We want to see you succeed. We want you to be able to connect with your readers. We want to watch a beautiful creation emerge and to see your passion project come to fruition.
Editors are often perceived as overly critical individuals fixated on finding every possible error in a manuscript. However, this portrayal is misleading. Editors play a crucial role in refining a writer's work, offering constructive feedback to enhance clarity, coherence, and overall quality. Their goal is not to criticize but to collaborate with writers, helping them realize their vision and produce the best possible version of their work. Understanding this collaborative dynamic can alleviate apprehensions writers may have about the editing process and foster a more productive author-editor relationship.
What did you think about this hot take on editors? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below!
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Written by Payton Hayes | Last Updated: March 17, 2025