Editing, editing, editing!

I’ve been busy, busy, busy! In the very best way. There’s something so deliciously satisfying about being preoccupied by something you love. Even the toilings of the task become so sweet you cannot be bothered by the difficulties. 

I’ve been working on edits for The Lady or the Lion, and we’ve reached the last step! I’ll run you all through a bit of the process below. I get a lot of questions about this whole publishing business, so here’s hoping I can answer some of those questions below.

When I signed with my publishing house for The Lady or the Lion, they had already read the full draft. Since it was my debut, I couldn’t simply sell on proposal (which often consists of a detailed outline + first few chapters).  So if it was already completed, what have you been working on now? Good Q! Editing, editing, editing! My publisher assigned me an editor, who I’ve been working closely with to polish up the manuscript and make it into the best version of itself possible. Editors are professionals who track things like character development, pacing, and tension with fresh eyes. They also help authors tighten up certain areas or expand in others. 

Basically, they are amazing!

My editor-extraordinaire is the wonderful Cassandra Farrin. It’s a wonderful thing to be be understood, and Cassandra completely understood my story from the beginning! She saw my characters and their complexities and exactly what I was trying to do, for which I am so thankful. I worked with Cassandra on three rounds of edits, starting from big picture things and leading into very nuanced finishing touches.

The first round of editing is developmental edit. In this, my editor told me some big-picture things that needed work. There were also some logistics that had to do with word count and page count that needed ironing in regards to the structure of the novel. My editor also pointed out strengths and what was really working for the novel, so I wouldn’t go and edit those things out. It helps to be aware of the things that do well in your novel so that you can go in and further underscore those points, making them shine even more. 

The next round of edits was the scene edit. In this, my editor commented directly on the document in specific scenes that needed clarification, strengthening, or reworking. She also suggested some spots where I could test out new things and also areas where I could tease future motifs or moments. This seriously helped strengthen my novel and added an extra layer of nuance that I think really helped the book shine! In some moments, just a simple extra line or sentence went such a long way, which is so fascinating to me. I also had a sensitivity reader for some scenes involving Asfandyar, a character in the novel who is half-Black and half-brown, so I adjusted my scenes and added those in during this edit. 

The next round of edits was the line edit. In this, my editor went through each line of the book and adjusted wording and small details. Every word does count, and even just the exchanging of one word for another made all the difference! This was the easiest edit for me because it was a lot of small changes, and I trust my editor and her judgment, so this edit was a lot of me just accepting her suggestions and moving on.

And now I’m here! My book is ready to be sent to copy-edits, which is the final, final stage of editing and involves mainly checking for spelling and grammar and consistencies. Not a lot changes in the text will be made from here on, which means it is ready to be sent to some trusted beta readers to see what is working and what isn’t (I still have the liberty to make changes if something needs reworking, but the hope is that everything is good!). 

We have an official synopsis now, too, so make sure you check that out over on GoodReads. The next step for me is even more fun and exciting stuff for the book, like sending it out for blurbs, drawing up a map, working on the glossary, and finalizing the cover.

Speaking of the cover, stay tuned for a reveal coming sooooon!!