How I Got My Agent (Part 2): Editing

Introduction

Welcome back, to the second part of my three-part series on how I secured my amazing agent! In this post, I will look at editing and how it helped set my manuscript up for querying success. Editing, as I soon discovered, is not just a short phase after writing — it's an integral part of the whole writing process.

The power of editing: not just proof-reading!

As I was learning about writing, and writing the initial draft of my manuscript, I realised that editing was what would turn that first draft into something that could even vaguely approach being a finished product. This seems so obvious now, but I really didn’t know it when I started out! I used editing to enhance my prose, deepen my characters, make my plot more intricately linked and well-plotted, and trim any details, characters etc. that were unnecessary. Previously, I had no idea this was an iterative, repeated process: I’d imagined the words just tumbled out of the author, perfectly-formed and -arranged, and that editing was just a bit of tweaking and proof-reading! (I want to make clear that I know better now…)

To improve my editing skills, I treated it as a competence to learn about, and apply (as in my first post). I used books on the craft of editing, which gave advice on structure, pacing, dialogue, and more. I also enrolled in online courses that focused specifically on the art of editing, learning techniques to identify and rectify weak areas in my manuscript.

I self-edited before seeking external feedback. This ensured that the manuscript I presented to others was already in its best possible shape. This fits with a general philosophy I have about feedback in any area of life – some people do like to share, and get feedback, ASAP, but personally I don’t like sharing something too early, and then getting feedback on points which I would already have spotted and improved if I’d taken the time to read it through myself. Of course, this relies on having the luxury of time to be able to do this process of re-reading and revising before seeking feedback.

Harper Collins Author Academy certificate

A mentoring scheme that included feedback from a HarperCollins editor on my book’s proposal and opening pages.

The value of feedback: critique groups, mentoring schemes, charity auctions, and competitions

Similarly to how, as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, I received feedback in supervision from observation of my therapy sessions, my writing improved thanks to input from others. To gain constructive criticism, I actively sought feedback from various sources (a process which had already begun on writing courses, but which was earlier on, and with smaller extracts, and more focused on learning the craft, rather than refining the novel itself).

First and foremost, I joined a critique group of local writers who are passionate about supporting one another's work. Sharing up to 3000 words of our manuscripts, at fortnightly sessions, we provide feedback, highlight strengths, and offer suggestions for improvement. Being part of this group also provided me with support during the querying process, particularly from the two group members who already had agents themselves. Feedback that I ended up incorporating included clarifying points that were unclear, not using unusual structures for chapters when this didn’t work, and making character relationships and plot points clearer and more plausible.

Big shout out to Greenwich Writers!

In addition to the critique group, I used Twitter to keep my eye out for mentoring schemes, charity auctions and competitions. These not only allowed me to contribute to a good cause, but also provided opportunities to have my work evaluated by professionals in the industry. Feedback from agents, editors, and established authors gained through these channels helped me identify areas that were working well, and ones that needed further refinement specifically with regards to making the manuscript more likely to appeal to agents.

Many thanks to (amongst others) Phoebe Morgan, Russ Thomas, Jon Barton, Imran Mahmood, the Harper Collins Author Academy, the Cheshire Novel Prize, the Mo Siewcharran Prize, and the Joffe Books Prize.

Using feedback both to improve my storytelling and also to bring it within expectations the industry might have, I think helped me have a relatively smooth querying journey – more on this next time!

Summary

Editing proved to be a significant phase in my journey towards securing representation. I’ve heard that some authors can query too soon, even before doing any editing sometimes. By developing and applying my self-editing skills, I was able to get my manuscript closer to where it would be likely to secure an agent’s interest. Seeking feedback from critique groups, participating in charity auctions, taking advantage of available mentoring schemes, and entering competitions enabled me to access valuable perspectives, allowing me to polish my work – particularly in the type of light an agent’s gaze would likely cast on it.

In Part 3 of this series, I will share how I navigated the querying process and ultimately found my agent. In case it’s helpful to know in advance: I’m not one of those people who queried, got multiple offers of representation, and landed their dream agent just like that! My querying journey was another iterative process, that I learned from and which made me a better writer, better-equipped to interface with the publishing industry.

I hope it will provide you with some of the same insights.

Curious about this novel that secured me representation? You can read more about, and pre-order it, here!