When I obtained my first book contract with a small e-book press, I didn’t realise how challenging it would be to work with editors. As I had more books published, I went through several years of feeling out of my depth. Did it get easier eventually? Yes, because I knew what to expect, and I became better at self-editing. Still, it remains challenging. It’s hard work, can take days, and can be discouraging. But it’s worth it.

Now, I’m a freelance editor who spends more time editing than writing.

Here are some of my tips to authors who are working with an editor for the first time.

• Red Isn’t a Reflection

Don’t be terrified if you see Word’s lovely red/blue markup all over your manuscript. I edit books written by Amazon best-selling authors and brand-new authors, and everyone has markup in their book. Yes, it often becomes less the more an author writes but not always. Some author’s stories are immaculate, but their grammar needs substantial work. Other author’s stories need some substantial fixes, but their grammar is almost perfect. Then there are those whose books are a mix of the two. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. That’s what an editor is for—to work with them, and they don’t hate you when they correct things. They just care about your book. Don’t let it discourage you from writing more and believing in your book.

• Read Through Your Book Before Editing

Yes, the editor is there to find what’s wrong, but if your last draft is messy, it’s going to take them longer and make it harder for them to see the big picture of your book as they’re bogged down by all the problematic details. Send your book to beta readers if you can, and maybe do a Grammarly check. They are not always correct, but they help.

• Remember, It’s Still Your Book.

If there is anything your editor suggests that doesn’t make sense to you or feels wrong, feel free to ask questions. It is your book, after all. If respectful discussion between you and them doesn’t resolve the problem, in the end, it is your book, and you get to decide what’s best.

If you are working with a publisher, that can be trickier. Some publishers have definite guidelines for their books, and you may need to stick to those. That said, be respectful and appreciative of the editor. Their motive is to enhance your book. They have years of experience and know the industry. Editing is mentally gruelling work. Rudeness can break the relationship over time.

If you feel that the editor doesn’t respect your voice at all, or is rude to you, maybe it’s time for you to look for a new editor, if you are able to do so.

• Track Your Changes

When you make any changes based on the editor’s suggestions, track them with Word’s track-changes feature. This makes it easier for the editor to see how you have responded to the suggestions. It makes everything run smoother for the next round, and it also shows you what you have worked on so you can refer back to it.

• Know How Many Rounds

If you’re working with a publisher, you are likely to go through about three to four rounds of editing. Every publisher is different, but the general sequence is first the developmental/content/substantive edit, then the copy edit/line edit, and lastly, a proofread. You may have a different editor for all three or the same one throughout. Some publishers require a galley edit where you read through the formatted version of your book in PDF format and make a note of any small mistakes you find on a separate document. It’s best to get most of the smaller issues fixed before this round.

With freelance editors, you may choose different packages, which can range from one round to three to four rounds. This would depend on your budget. First-time authors should have at least two rounds. If you are on a limited budget, make sure to send your book to seasoned beta readers first—not your mom, gran, or best friend. They’ll be too nice!

• Thank Your Editor

Thanking an editor makes such a difference in the relationship. It doesn’t mean your editor won’t take you on as a client in the future if you don’t thank them, but it makes them feel appreciated and seen as a human being and not just another cog in the machine. If you’re working with multiple editors, thank each one—they’re all important.