When I finished writing my first novel in 2021, I didn’t send it to an editor for its first round of developmental edits until 2024. And now here we are in 2026, and I’m still working through self-edits, rewrites, and reworking a few things before moving past developmental edits.
Would I have done it differently if I could go back?
How did I know when to send my book to an editor?
When will I send it in for the rest of the edits?
If you’re asking those same questions, you’re not alone—and this post will help you figure it out.
My Editing Process (And Why It Matters)
You might have heard there are two types of writers: planners and pantsers. I personally fall into the planner category. After discovering outlining through videos from Abbie Emmons, I outlined my entire book and wrote an 80,000-word novel in one summer. Planning works really well for me, but regardless of which type of writer you are, editing still follows a process.
The Editing Workflow I Like to Follow:
Right now, my novel is at the “implement developmental edits” stage. I’ve also added a few new ideas along the way, which is why it’s taking longer before moving to line and copyedits. And that’s okay. This process isn’t rigid—it’s just a helpful guideline.
What “Ready for Editing” Actually Means
One of the biggest misconceptions is thinking your manuscript has to be perfect before editing. It doesn’t. In fact, editing exists because it isn’t perfect yet.
Your manuscript doesn’t need to be fully polished. You can still have notes to yourself, scenes you want to improve, or sections that feel weak. That’s normal. Editing is where you refine and strengthen your story.
What does matter is that your story is complete, structured, and intentional. You should have a full beginning, middle, and end. The main conflict should be clear, and your character arcs should be visible. You don’t need perfect pacing or flawless dialogue yet, just a solid foundation.
It also helps to understand the difference between drafting, editing, and proofreading. Drafting is creating. Editing is refining. Proofreading is polishing. During the drafting stage, completion matters more than perfection. Messy scenes and rough wording are completely okay.
Signs Your Manuscript Is Ready for Editing
A good indicator that your manuscript is ready for editing is that you’ve finished the first draft and stepped away from it for at least a little while. Taking a break helps you return with fresh eyes and spot things you couldn’t see before.
Another sign is that you’ve done at least one self-edit pass. You don’t need to catch everything, but you should clean up obvious repetition, fix major grammar issues, and tighten weaker sections. This helps your editor focus on deeper improvements rather than surface-level fixes.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve put together a few tools to help, including my 5 Self-Editing Tips to Make Your Manuscript Shine and a Line Editing Checklist you can follow during this step. These resources can guide you through your first round of revisions and help you feel more confident before sending your manuscript to an editor.
It’s also helpful to have at least one other person read your manuscript before sending it to an editor. Beta readers can point out confusing areas, pacing issues, or plot holes that you might miss. Once you’ve incorporated that feedback, your manuscript is usually in a strong place for professional editing.
Finally, make sure you’re no longer making major story changes. If you’re still adding characters, rewriting the ending, changing point of view, or rearranging the entire plot, it’s better to wait. Editing before those big decisions are finalized can waste both time and money.
Common Mistakes Writers Make Before Editing
Many writers start editing while they’re still drafting, before the structure of the story is fully developed. Others wait until they think their manuscript is perfect, which can lead to never sending it at all (Yup, that’s been me!)
Another common mistake is relying only on spell-check or skipping self-editing entirely. While tools can help, they can’t replace a thoughtful revision pass. Taking time to do your own edits first makes professional editing far more effective.
Your Manuscript Is Likely Ready For Editing If…
If you’re still writing chapters, unsure of the ending, adding new characters, or stuck trying to make everything perfect, it’s best to give yourself more drafting time before moving into editing.
Final Encouragement
Every manuscript reaches this stage where you’re unsure what the next step should be. That’s completely normal. Remember, you don’t need perfection—just readiness. Focus on progress over perfection right now.
If, however, you are at this stage and looking for an editor, I would love to work with you! Helping writers refine their stories and make them shine is exactly why I do what I do.
Lastly, your story is closer than you think. Whether you’re 50,000 words in, only a couple thousand, still outlining, or working through that first round of revisions, you are well on your way—and that journey looks beautifully different for everyone. No matter where you are, give yourself a pat on the back and smile today. You’re doing something many people only dream of.
