Behind the Scenes of a Deep Dive Manuscript Evaluation

The 7 layers of analysis I use to edit a fourth draft of a novel.

I don’t know about you, but right now, my schedule is full. My days are packed with editing. I have several manuscripts I’m absolutely loving on my desk right now, so many pages to read, and so many notes to share with writers.

With all this editing, I didn’t have time to put together a typical episode of Your Next Draft for you. So . . . I’m doing something a little different today.

I’ve decided to pull back the curtain on the editing I’m doing right now, this week, on the manuscript I’m currently reading.

In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of how I think about a manuscript as I edit it. You’ll see:

• The 7 (yes, 7!) levels of analysis I’m applying as I read
• The stage of the editing process this manuscript is in
• How I know what levels of editing are right for this manuscript at this stage
• The things I’m not editing in this manuscript right now
• That I really, really, really love editing (so much that I peaked on the mic a few times as I recorded. Sorry!)
• And more!

If you’ve ever wondered what a developmental editor is thinking when they’re editing a novel . . .

. . . well, this is it. These are my thoughts, almost in-the-moment, as I edit a manuscript I’m loving.

Huge shoutout to author J. D. Edwin, whose manuscript this episode is about, and who gave me the all clear to share a glimpse at our process together. She’ll be delighted if you check out her books at jdedwin.com.

They’re really good books. (Yes, I’m a bit biased, because I edited them. But still. They’re really good.)

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Check out J. D. Edwin’s books: jdedwin.com
• Listen to J. D. talk about her editing process: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
• See whether I’m the right editor for your novel: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
• Reach out and let’s talk editing your novel: alicesudlow.com/contact