How To Know When Your Manuscript Is Ready For Editing
So, you’re writing a book! That’s amazing. Congratulations. What’s next?
I understand exactly how exciting it is once you write your book. All you want to do is tell the whole world and start selling it. But let’s pump the brakes a little bit. There’s a really important step that you cannot skip, even as a self-publishing author….
Getting your book edited.
Hiring a copy editor is the most important step in the process. I have bought books by people I knew who self-published, and ended up either not finishing or giving them away. See, while the content was great and the lessons were good…. The editing was NOT.
Why does it matter if you get your book edited?
If your book is full of typos or clarity issues, etc., those will actually take away from the message of your book. One spelling mistake can be a bit of a ha-ha, but many of them, or transition issues, lots of sentences that don’t flow well or aren’t written clearly, become a headache for your readers.
As a self-published author, you will rely on word of mouth and reviews tremendously since you won’t have a publishing team. Ensuring your book is in its best shape is the key to scoring those 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Yes, it can be kind of pricy to hire an editor, but trust me, it’s well worth the price. Self-editing often results in missed typos or clarity issues. Since you know exactly what you’re talking about, the text might just be clear to you. Heck, even with a publishing team it’s not 100% (think the double ‘wand’ inclusion in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), but an editor can get your book as good as it can be.
Why does it matter that you’re ready before passing your manuscript off to an editor?
In the most basic sense… It respects your and your editors’ time. The last thing you want is to have your editor outpace you. This happened to me with my first book edit. There were times I was waiting for the author to finish updating or writing particular chapters or pieces of it. While the book was amazing and I had a wonderful experience, there were times it got a little messy, and I had to backtrack or wait for updates.
Make sure that you are as prepared as you can be, so your editor can read your manuscript smoothly and according to their system.
It could also potentially cost you more money to have an editor edit an unfinished book. Your editor might charge you extra if the project runs late because you’re still writing. If you’re adding sections/chapters, you may end up having to pay extra above your quoted amount, as it will take your editor longer to review and piece it together. You want to be aware of your budget and not waste your money.
If you’re updating and adding after your editor has already moved on from a section, this is how mistakes get missed. Editors have a system that they use to review manuscripts, and if they have to go back and review a section that wasn’t initially included, it can a) take extra time (and money) to re-edit, and b) it can ruin the flow of the editing. I focus a lot on transitions and how each sentence, paragraph, and chapter flows into the next. I do this because I like to envision the readers’ journey and how easily they are able to connect each thought. Having to go back and catch things that might have been missed makes it harder to understand the flow and pacing of the book.
So, how can you know if you’re ready for editing?
Pre-Editing Readiness Checklist
Before you hand over your manuscript to an editor, take a moment to walk through this self-assessment. It’ll help you feel confident that you’re handing over your best possible draft—and make sure your editing investment pays off.
✅ Have you finished your manuscript?
It may sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often editors receive incomplete drafts. Unless you're specifically seeking feedback on a partial, wait until the story has a beginning, middle, and end, or you have each of your sections/chapters laid out how you want them in a non-fiction book, before submitting it.
✅ Have you self-edited at least once?
This is where you catch the low-hanging fruit: repetitive phrases, awkward wording, scenes/sections that drag or don’t flow. Think of it as a tidy-up before your house cleaner arrives—it makes the editor’s job more efficient and allows them to focus on deeper improvements.
✅ Are your plot or structure issues mostly resolved?
If you're still unsure whether your main character dies or joins the circus at the end, or you don’t know how each of your chapters connects with the next, it's too early for editing. You don’t need perfection, but you should have a clear direction and consistent structure.
✅ Have you read your manuscript aloud (or used a text-to-speech tool)?
This is one of the easiest (and most overlooked) ways to catch jarring sentences, missing words, or rhythm issues. Hearing your manuscript forces you to experience it like a reader would.
✅ Have you received early feedback from beta readers or critique partners?
This isn’t mandatory, but it can help highlight confusing spots, pacing issues, or flatness before an editor dives in. The more context you can give your editor, the better their feedback will be. If you don’t have this, don’t stress. This is just something that can help.
✅ Do you know what type of editing you need?
Editing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Developmental editing focuses on structure, pacing, and big-picture storytelling.
Line editing sharpens your prose and strengthens your voice.
Copyediting tackles grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
Proofreading is the final polish.
If you’re unsure, a good editor (hi!) can guide you.
Often, all of these will be needed, but if there is something specific you want focused on or you know what your weak point is as a writer, feel free to let your editor know. They can then go hard on that particular type of edit, while still including the other parts.
What if you’re not quite ready yet?
It’s okay to still be in progress. All good things take time… especially if this is your first book. Don’t rush it.
There are things that you can do if you’re itching to get some feedback or editing on it before you’re completely finished writing.
You can:
Get a mini-manuscript assessment or partial edits: These are smaller-scale editing services designed to give you targeted feedback on a portion of your manuscript—usually the first 10–30 pages (but you can choose another section if you’re having a tough time getting it to sound how you like). They're perfect if you want to test the waters before committing to a full edit or if you just need help with a particular section. You'll get insights on things like pacing, clarity, development, and writing style.
Best for:
Early-stage writers wanting professional eyes on a specific part
Authors unsure whether their manuscript is ready for editing
Budget-conscious authors needing focused feedback
2. Try an editorial feedback call: This is a one-on-one conversation where an editor gives you tailored advice on your manuscript or writing challenges. You might discuss structure, clarity, genre expectations, or next steps. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, get expert eyes on your project, and walk away with direction and clarity. This can be a pre-editing step to see if you’re ready for a full-on edit.
Best for:
Writers feeling stuck or overwhelmed
Authors unsure what kind of editing they need
Anyone wanting expert input before diving into revisions
3. Get manuscript critique (vs a full edit):
Manuscript Critique: A critique gives you a big-picture review of your entire manuscript. You’ll get an editorial letter outlining strengths and areas for improvement—like plot, character arcs (for fiction), structure, chapter connections, and pacing—but your actual manuscript won’t be marked up.
Full Edit: A full edit involves line-by-line work on your manuscript. Depending on the type (developmental, line, or copyediting–usually all), your editor will make detailed comments, track changes, and suggestions directly in your document. It’s hands-on and intensive.
Key Differences:
Critique = Strategy (what to fix)
Full Edit = Surgery (how to fix it)
Best for:
Critique: Writers who want feedback before rewriting
Full Edit: Writers who’ve revised and are ready for detailed editorial work
How can I help you—Wherever You Are?
Whether you're staring at a rough first draft or putting the finishing touches on a manuscript that’s almost ready to launch, you don’t have to navigate the editing process alone (and you shouldn’t!). As a supportive partner in your publishing journey, I meet you exactly where you are—with zero judgment and lots of clarity. Think of me as your behind-the-scenes partner in crime. Let’s turn your rough draft into a masterpiece.
Whether you're still refining your ideas or you’ve polished your draft to the best of your ability, I offer one comprehensive editing service designed to meet you where you are. My approach blends the clarity and structure of developmental editing with the detail and precision of line and copyediting—all in one supportive package.
Together, we’ll shape your manuscript into something that flows beautifully, connects with your audience, and still sounds like you. From strengthening your message and voice to fine-tuning sentence structure and catching inconsistencies, I’m here to help you bring your non-fiction book to life—without overwhelm or second-guessing.
This is an especially safe space for introverted authors and first-time writers who want thoughtful feedback and calm collaboration—not criticism. We’re a team, and together we will ensure you put your book out with its best face forward.
Still figuring out what kind of support you need? I offer sample edits and feedback packages to give you a taste of the process, help you get clarity, and decide what’s right for your book and your goals.
I work best with thoughtful, heart-led women—especially the introverted types who care deeply about what they’re putting into the world but prefer quiet, intentional collaboration over loud, high-pressure publishing advice. Self-publishing is an excellent way to put out the message you want, without a publisher dictating what and how you say it. If that sounds like you, I’d be honoured to help you bring your words to life.
Ready to take the next step—whether that’s feedback, clarity, or a full edit?
Let’s figure out what your manuscript needs, together.
Let’s explore to help you move forward with confidence.
