Editing and proofreading offers reassurance and peace of mind. Editors and proofreaders are mindful of how daunting handing your manuscript over can be. A strong professional relationship means feeling safe in handing over your work and knowing any feedback is based firmly on the manuscript, in service to it, your intention for it and your readers. They make sure readers are focused on your writing and not distracted by elements such as plot inconsistencies, spelling or grammar.

As the author, you don’t have to accept all the suggested changes, but you’ve had the reassurance of another person looking at your writing objectively with your intention and readers in mind.

action beats apostrophes authors checklists clean copy dialogue dialogue tags fiction writing feedback head-hopping overthinking reading self-editing track changes tracked changes writing