Working with an Editor

From Award-Winning author, Vashti Hardy

Working with an Editor

Working with editors is one of the things I love most about being an author. There’s something incredibly special about collaborating with someone who understands your story’s vision – someone willing to invest their time and immerse themselves in your imagination, stepping into the journey with you.

An editor’s objective, professional insight is truly invaluable. Still, I remember the first time I received feedback – during my very first writing course. It felt as though I’d opened up a deeply personal, vulnerable part of myself to be examined. Feedback can hit you in the chest in a strange, unexpected way. But you have to open up the cracks to let the light in.

Stories often feel like our children, so it’s natural to feel protective – even a little defensive. That’s why, for many new writers, the idea of handing over their work to an editor can feel daunting. But editing isn’t about criticism – it’s about collaboration.

A good editor is your ally, not your adversary. The more you embrace the editing process, the more rewarding it becomes – not just for your current project, but for your growth as a writer. It sharpens your instincts, strengthens your storytelling, and helps you become more in tune with your craft.