Working with an editor can be challenging and prompt many questions. Writers who attended college composition or creative writing classes may be familiar with strategies like workshopping and peer review in the development stages of revising drafts. But when you’re out of school and in the world of querying or self-publishing, professional manuscript editing and getting feedback on a novel may be unfamiliar processes, and it can be difficult to know what kind of editor to work with and how to work with them productively. A professional developmental book editor should be able to guide a self-publishing author through steps that are similar to (but more simplified than) an author undergoing edits through an agent or traditional publisher.
As part of a commitment to continuing education in 2026, editor Cortni Merritt has listened to several courses on the MasterClass platform. In particular, episode 13 of the MasterClass from thriller writer David Baldacci, titled “Working with an Editor,” offered some poignant advice that Cortni felt she had to share!
What to Expect in Professional Manuscript Editing, Summarized from David Baldacci
1. How to select the right editor
First, ask yourself: Who else has the editor worked with, and what other books have they done? The book development editor should be experienced in your genre. This may be less important for a copyeditor or proofreader, but you must have the right chemistry with the best developmental editors for you. You need to feel like you’re collaborating on your book. Baldacci advises that if you don’t connect with the editor, even if they are renowned, there won’t be the trust and confidence that’s necessary to make your book the best it can be.
2. Be clear on your novel feedback process
Baldacci describes how his editor provides him with both an editorial letter and a page-by-page comment list, which helps him reconcile the big-picture notes with the recommended changes in context where they are flagged. He recognizes this may be overwhelming or unnecessary for some writers, but for him, it’s helpful.
Whatever process works for you and your editor, be sure to be clear at the beginning so there is less confusion. Many editors use built-in software features such as Track Changes in MS Word, and familiarizing yourself with the software ahead of time gives you an advantage. Or, maybe you prefer in-line comments or would rather have notes at the end of each chapter. Whatever your preferences and expectations are, make sure you and your book development editor are clear on how things will work.
3. Be prepared for multiple rounds of editing
To make your story truly whole and impactful, expect several rounds of revision with your developmental book editor. What he and other professional writers call their “first draft” is typically the draft that goes beyond the developmental editor. Baldacci’s “first draft,” in actuality, may be his tenth or twelfth draft, after working on it alone and getting several rounds of feedback on the novel with his developmental editor.
So, Baldacci may have gone through a dozen drafts on his own, and then he expects at least two rounds of professional manuscript editing. On a few manuscripts, he has experienced three or more rounds, but he is clear that he feels the manuscript came out better as a result.
He reports that, with his team, once it goes past developmental editing and into production, he knows he has three more opportunities to make substantial edits.
So, patience is key.
4. Review edits with grace and thick skin
It can be helpful to remember that Baldacci was an attorney before he became a writer, so he is prepared to debate, and he doesn’t get offended easily or take others’ ideas personally, which is essential in a collaborative environment and process.
Baldacci reminds the audience that “No word is set in stone.” If the book development editor (or multiple readers whom you trust) give you respectful comments about a scene, a character, or a line in the text, he recommends taking the comments with good intentions. Disagreements happen, but don’t immediately reject what someone has to say. Try not to get offended or take suggestions personally, and be understanding when someone’s suggestion doesn’t align with your preference, as long as the editor meant well in providing their feedback.
5. Improve the novel through feedback and discussion
Baldacci advocates that discussion improves the book, and because you have the best developmental editors for you, and everyone’s goals are aligned, allow them to offer their suggestions and be respectful by considering each of them thoroughly and with good intentions.
Practice open communication with your editor and don’t get defensive. (Again, think like a lawyer). When an item is under question, give the editor the floor and a chance to present their case. Give them the opportunity to persuade you that their suggestion improves the manuscript. As long as the professional manuscript editing discussion is respectful, you owe them the respect and the chance to argue their case, because improving your book is a collaborative partnership.
Now, Baldacci does make the point that, the majority of the time, he knows the manuscript better than anyone, so the editor’s points must be convincing in order for him to be persuaded. But he also notes that on every manuscript he’s published, there has been a comment or note from a book developmental editor that sparked a change no one else would have thought of. For example, they identified a plot hole or a continuity error that needed to be addressed. He says he has never regretted working with an editor–or multiple editors–on every novel.
Of course, at the end of the day, he believes the author has the final word.
Review line edits line by line
As an attorney, Baldacci is used to reading the fine print, as it were. He advocates that, although the manuscript will have lots of passes, lots of eyes on it from lots of trusted people, ultimately, he says, “The buck stops with me.”
After working with the book development editor, the manuscript will proceed to line editing. Baldacci advocates going through the manuscript line by line, word by word. Read it aloud to help catch errors your ear picks up that your eye didn’t see. Or use the Read Aloud feature on your computer or an app. He says he will even sometimes read lines backward to catch small errors, which is especially helpful for catching missing words or adjectives misplaced for adverbs, for example.
7. Be understanding of the professionals you work with
Just as you expect to have a professional relationship with the developmental book editor, be considerate of the other professionals, such as designers, copyeditors, and typesetters.
For example, Baldacci advises that after copyediting, when the novel has gone into formatting, he knows not to make major changes to the page proofs, because too many changes can cause undue burden to the typesetter. (He even goes so far as to say that if he removes a word that is four characters, he will add four characters somewhere else in the same line, or vice versa, so the lines remain the same length and no line changes will affect the overall page layout. That is above and beyond!)
Overall, be clear in your feedback to designers and typesetters. If there is something to change, or you have feedback on your novel and its layout, do your best to provide critiques or notes in the most professional, respectful way possible.
Additional MasterClasses to Check Out
MasterClass is a learning platform (subscription-based) where you can watch videos from some of the biggest names in different industries, including writing. Cortni has enjoyed MasterClass series from notable writers, including Amy Tan, Margaret Atwood, and Elaine Welteroth, in addition to the MasterClass “David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing.” The ideas discussed in this blog are summarized from episode 13, “Working with an Editor.”
Lastly, Have Fun Working with Your Developmental Book Editor
One thing Baldacci didn’t touch on exactly but is always worth mentioning: You should have fun when working with your developmental book editor! Of course, professional manuscript editing is a labor of love (for everyone involved), and it can be frustrating and challenging at times, but as a part of crafting and bringing your story to life, it should also be exhilarating, inspiring, and most of all, enjoyable.
There’s a dialogue right now in many writer communities surrounding em dashes. Ah, these poor misunderstood punctuation, favorited by writers so much that 
The questions around what it “should” cost to edit a book are always a bit tricky. The answer will be unique to you, your project, and your team, and it depends on several important factors.
