The Value of Editing Recap | July 15, 2026

StetChatters, please introduce yourself. Remember to use the hashtag #StetChat for all your answers today. #StetChatAnd remember, if you miss a question, you can see all the questions under the Media tab on our profile.

— #StetChat (@stetchat.com) 2026-07-15T20:01:07.988Z

#StetChat | I think one of my favorite abilities is clarifying an idea for an author (usually via book coaching or outlining services) that they seriously believed they couldn't make work. That wide-eyed, gasp-inducing "Aha!" moment as their concepts suddenly click into place is 🤌!

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:29:27.443Z

My main service is substantive editing, usually for authors and aspiring authors who are targeting traditional publishing. What I love is that while, yes, we're refining the structure of this one manuscript, they can also take the lessons they're learning on to the next one.

— Erin Alladin (@erinalladin.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:25:20.165Z

#StetChatA1: A developmental editor of fiction helps writers make sure their story is fleshed out, void of plot holes, has compelling characters, a structure that delivers the story in an effective way, etc. The writer gets a story they can be prouder of, and readers get quality stories. 1/2 👇

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:21:59.670Z

#StetChat A1I edit fiction for indie authors! The value I bring is helping indie authors achieve their publishing dreams, especially for queer, neurodivergent, and disabled authors.

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:07:18.868Z

A1: For book authors: A literary agent or a real-life reader will just stop reading if they’re getting frustrated with typos/inconsistencies or big-picture plot or character issues.I’m helping authors bridge that gap between what they want their book to be and the reader’s expectations. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:07:38.856Z

A1. I edit news. Without editing, there’s no trust with the audience. #StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:05:21.343Z

Q1: Editing educational and academic writing is all about making complex ideas as clear and accessible as possible without sacrificing accuracy or the author’s voice, bridging the gap between subject-matter experts and readers of various backgrounds. #StetChat

— Magedah Shabo (@magedah.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:25:40.717Z

A1: I also edit content marketing. Content marketing editing helps the brand represent itself well. I help human readers by making sure the content is clear and engaging. I also help the brand gain visibility by applying SEO and AEO standards to ensure web crawlers can “read” it well too. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:08:43.499Z

A1: I often work with a editorial manager who’s manages freelancers but used to be the person who had to edit everything.So my value is how much time and effort I’m saving them that they can then use to work on big-picture editorial strategy because they know my edits are solid. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:09:04.482Z

A1: I look out for that in fiction, too. If things are wrong, people will notice. I'm not an expert in everything, but I fact check things in almost every book I work on that's set in the real world (and many in fantasy or sf settings too; don't get me started on horses in fantasy). #StetChat

— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:11:35.283Z

A1. I'm a copyeditor and proofreader, and my clients would rather *I* point out anything that might be confusing, misleading, or off-putting before it goes on to confuse, mislead, or put off readers. 😅 #StetChat

— Stevonnie (שולמית) (@mxs510.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:12:19.398Z

A1: I edit fiction. I make sure stories make sense, that characters behave consistently (unless there's a reason for them not to). That the laws of physics apply (ditto). That authors have done a good job with worldbuilding. That exposition is handled well. Etc. Etc. Etc.#StetChat

— Melissa Ann Singer (@masinger.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:13:45.460Z

A1: An additional set of set of eyes on the ms. with subject matter knowledge. #StetChat

— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:13:52.593Z

Sometimes it gets down to “Has an American Avocet been recorded in this state or a neighboring one?”

— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:32:21.862Z

A1. In my work with fiction, editing helps readers experience polished work (like getting typo-free, easy-to-read pages). But also on the high-level developmental side of ensuring that a story's structure, payoffs, and characters are engaging and fulfill genre expectations. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:11:07.445Z

A1: Editing—whether at the big-picture developmental level or more detailed copyediting—is valuable because it advocates for the reader. What will help them connect to themes? What might distract from the author’s purpose? How can adjusting pacing or presentation improve their experience? #StetChat

— Melissa Rudder (@reword.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:17:18.882Z

Q1: I mainly work on academic papers/books. Lots of points where editing adds value: is the writing clear for the reader? Is it accurate (names spelled correctly, narrative matching tables/figures, math consistent and correct, etc.)? Does it meet word-count limits? (1/2)#StetChat

— Wes Cowley (@wes.wordsbywes.ink) 2026-07-15T20:42:03.836Z

Are the references accurate and formatted correctly (and lately, do the cited papers actually exist)? Are figures and tables clear and readable? Are there logic jumps? Are spelling, grammar, and punctuation right?All of those (and more) are things I regularly clean up or flag. (2/2)#StetChat

— Wes Cowley (@wes.wordsbywes.ink) 2026-07-15T20:42:03.837Z

A1 #StetChat I edit and proofread business and education texts.I see editing/proofreading as support for the in-house team. They did the work of producing the texts. I support them by coming to the text with a fresh pair of eyes.

— Saesnes (@tideandcanute.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:41:26.212Z

My response applies to both-A1/A2: As someone who was born and still lives in #Pakistan, I contend with language and country bias when I am being considered for an editing project. I want to stress this: People from non-English speaking countries can and do speak English…quite well. #StetChat

— Aisha "Ash P" Panjwaneey (@ashpreads.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:06:52.974Z

We are authors, writers, editors, educators, researchers who cater to an English-speaking market and we can do much more. Throw away your bias. Talk to us, give us an editing test. We have websites, check our portfolios, our references, our testimonials; we know our stuff. #StetChat

— Aisha "Ash P" Panjwaneey (@ashpreads.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:06:52.975Z

Q2: Folks who don’t write or edit for a living tend to think it’s easier, and somehow less impressive, to explain complex ideas in plain language. I don’t have to tell #StetChat … it is not. 😅

— Magedah Shabo (@magedah.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:46:02.301Z

A2. Sometimes, AUs don't realize when components of their story are clear only to them (or to other people they've talked to extensively about their work). So having an outside perspective dig in helps to identify where those junctions in ideas or character dynamics might lose readers. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:15:45.117Z

As a writer, this is the #1 thing I seek outside help on, from editors and beta readers and workshop partners. I've seen it called "The Curse of Knowledge": it's hard to know what it's like not to know what I already know.

— Mumbling Sage In Wisconsin (@mumblingsage.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:09:30.176Z

A2. Some of my clients aren't ready for the Full Val Experience. I'm going to be the one who says, "No, that needs to go." I know it's hard to kill your darlings – or to back away from a point you really want to make – but there has to be a reason for that information to be included. 1/2

— JAMBALAYA 🔵 VAL (@jambalayaval.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:28:44.416Z

2/2One author I worked with on his memoir wanted to state his opinion as fact, and I wound up having to bring the receipts, so to speak, to show him that his "facts" were not really facts. To include the information, we had to restate them as his opinions. . . or they needed to be deleted.

— JAMBALAYA 🔵 VAL (@jambalayaval.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:28:44.417Z

A2: With indie authors, I find that many of them think, OK, I’ve written the book, now I can publish it or query it within the next two months. That’s way too fast!My one round of editing is usually not going to magically transform their book into being query-ready or publication-ready. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:12:58.193Z

Writers need to be working with beta readers, critique partners, writers groups. Before a book is published, it often goes through multiple rounds of revisions.An edit from a professional editor can help facilitate that, but it doesn't mean the book is automatically ready to publish. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:14:59.721Z

#StetChat A2A lot of indie authors finish a draft, then think they just need a proofreader before publishing. When really they may have structural issues (Dev editing) or clarity and consistency issues that may need line edits or copyedits. So there's a lot of value in the different services.

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:15:58.872Z

A2. Sometimes clients send new drafts with the same mistakes. I don't expect anyone to learn everything at once, and I try to point out the issue in a different way/using different language in case it clicks better. But sometimes it feels like I'm being paid for advice they aren't using.

— Mumbling Sage In Wisconsin (@mumblingsage.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:03:42.475Z

#StetChatA2: I touched on this a bit in my answer to Q1, but basically, there are a lot of misconceptions about what fiction editing entails. A lot of writers think that they'll produce a draft, and the publisher will proofread it, and that's it. But editing isn't just fixing typos. 1/3

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:42:18.667Z

#StetChat | I've run into people who seem to forget that I'm a human being who needs money to live! LOL! As much as I would love to give away free services, most companies don't take undying gratitude as payment for the things I need to survive (housing, water, electricity, etc.)! 😆

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:31:56.500Z

A2b: I’m lucky with where I currently am in my career. While my clients may disagree with some of my proposed edits, they very much see the value in what I’m doing. #StetChat 1/2

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:15:41.645Z

A2–4: Honestly, what I'm learning here is that I am lucky to work with major publishers who understand what I bring to the table.(And possibly that I need to try harder to get a wider client pool, so I can get both the challenges and profit that can come with that.)#StetChat

— Stevonnie (שולמית) (@mxs510.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:40:12.157Z

A2. Honestly, it can suck because we’re invisible. If we fix a problem, who can tell? If we miss it? Everyone sees it.Occasionally, some of the reporters will be rather indifferent to guidance on style and usage. There’s a reporter who still uses Burma. #StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:25:52.111Z

A2: My cats need to eat too. #StetChat

— Shecky (@shecky.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:10:30.870Z

A3: I try to phrase feedback/comments diplomatically (though that varies if I've developed a personal relationship with a regular client!). "That's wrong; do X" doesn't work well with *me*, so I don't use that on others. "I'm unsure what this is intending to express; maybe something like X?"

— Shecky (@shecky.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:15:12.939Z

the lines of "Wait, you're NOT just taking the money and running? I like the cut of your jib and will use you when that time comes." (Plus, to be even more honest, most dev editors *do* push getting a copyedit after, so that part of my work's done for me. XD ) #StetChat

— Shecky (@shecky.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:09:35.925Z

A3a: If I’m working for a publisher, I can usually be a bit blunter and more matter-of-fact with the issues that I’m seeing in the copy. But I always keep in mind that my email might be sent to the author. #StetChat 1/2

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:21:53.194Z

A3b: If working directly with the author, I point out what is working. Then I’ll present my recommendations but also show them how those recommendations would look. #StetChat 2/2

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:21:53.195Z

A3. Often, it's building off what AUs are saying/realizing: Like, I'm stuck w/ Chp 17 (translation: bc it doesn't gel w/ Chps 13–15). Or spending so long on the book that they can't distinguish "this is good" from "I like this." Outside feedback offers a path to clarity for them. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:33:00.402Z

A3: For book authors, I *first* talk about what the edit will do for them rather than what the service includes. I revamped my website this year to focus more on what the author gets out of the service rather than what the service description is. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:24:19.273Z

#StetChatA3: If they're clueless about the editing process, I explain what each step is and what it's for. If they sent me the manuscript for a quick look, I might give an insight into the issues present and point them toward the most appropriate step, which is usually the first one.

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:50:48.639Z

#StetChat | I lean on language that respects their autonomy. CAN you publish without spending money on editing? Absolutely. You're not gonna get arrested. No one is going to die. But I want to make you aware of the risks you take on if you choose that option. #EducatedDecision

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:34:26.737Z

#StetChat A3Talking about the readers! Readers prefer strong stories with clarity and consistency. Helps maintain long term readers. It's also an investment in an author's career. Editing & hiring an editor means authors are investing in their careers & future books!

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:24:13.970Z

A3: As others have stated, I tend to be more "to the point" with publishers and more "hand holding" with writers. But my overall tone tends to be straightforward. My position is that we're all adults and everyone should be able to handle any recommendations that will help move the project forward.

— JAMBALAYA 🔵 VAL (@jambalayaval.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:37:08.637Z

A3. I don’t have to do this directly. My bosses are pretty good about communicating our value.…if I had to, I could probably just point to some of my headline contest awards. (I’d rather not, though.)#StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:28:33.536Z

A3: For content editing, it’s now me vs. AI.I tell my clients that AI cannot do what I can do (copyedit), which is true based on what I’ve seen in demos and presentations (I’m assuming presenters are showing the best possible results from AI editing in their demos…meh). #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:23:47.581Z

A3: I haven't had to do this, thankfully, but it would probably be a straightforward discussion of "Even if you think you're being clear, you need another set of eyes on it, for the reader's sake." #StetChat

— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:35:53.284Z

#StetChat A4Developmental (or substantive) edits are really important. In fiction, it's the difference between having readers get confused or frustrated and DNFing vs readers enjoying a solid story they love. And it needs to be done early on. You can't decorate the house if it isn't built yet!

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:35:25.364Z

#StetChat | I reiterate what the service they requested includes AND excludes, then point out what I found that tells me the higher level of service would be beneficial. Once they realize the vulnerabilities that will remain if they don't do the previous step in the process, they usually buy it.

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:36:48.870Z

#StetChat | I reiterate what the service they requested includes AND excludes, then point out what I found that tells me the higher level of service would be beneficial. Once they realize the vulnerabilities that will remain if they don't do the previous step in the process, they usually buy it.

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:36:48.870Z

#StetChatA4 Similar to A3, but I'd explain what the level of editing they're asking for does, and most importantly, what it doesn't do, and point out a few issues in the manuscript that wouldn't get fixed.

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:52:32.865Z

A4: Sometimes I assess a book MS and say, hey, I think this needs a dev edit even though you want a copyedit. And I briefly explain what I’m seeing that makes me say that and talk about how it’s important to address the big-picture issues first before you dive into sentence-level stuff. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:33:04.529Z

A4: If I recommend a higher level of editing, I—Emphasize that #querying is VERY competitive and you can't re-query a book—Say they save time and money down the road by doing higher-level edits first rather than copyediting now, not getting an MS requests, and having to rework the MS#StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:35:05.136Z

A4: I'd probably just say so. My clients know and respect my expertise and they know about the different levels of editing. #StetChat

— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:48:56.650Z

A4. Oooh, yes, my whole onboarding is to catch this right at the start. So I can let an AU know, from the get-go, here's my perspective on this project & how I would recommend moving forward. And I explain it—what's needed rather than what's "wrong." If they agree, we're off to the races! #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:40:07.195Z

A4: I would be honest, and point out the issues that I’m seeing, and what I would recommend doing. Often, I’ll use examples from the project where I think a higher level of editing is justified. #StetChat

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:33:57.553Z

A3. In news, I’d flag the section editor and/or my boss and say what I’d noticed. It doesn’t happen a lot, but usually they’re good about hearing me out.Freelance wise, I just had to do this and felt so awkward. But again I said what I noticed and I offered a few suggestions.#StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:36:20.194Z

A4: For content marketing clients, I list out all the brand publication standards that the piece currently lacks and ask them to fix it (or if I can fix it, tell them I can fix it but that it’ll take more time). #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:32:52.099Z

Q5: A human editor is also a human reader. They can tell whether your writing is likely to be well received by other humans in your audience. Human editors will flag prose that sounds cliché, smug, or otherwise off-putting, whereas AI aims to make you sound like the worst of LinkedIn. #StetChat

— Magedah Shabo (@magedah.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:03:05.335Z

A5: I've been framing this as an existential crisis for the industry industry, where some will choose the way of AI slop and sink into oblivion, and others will choose the path of rigorously vetted human labor and survive.If they want the former, they'll need to find someone else.#StetChat

— Stevonnie (שולמית) (@mxs510.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:46:30.577Z

A5a: How much time do you have? But in all seriousness, and leaving aside environmental, ethical, financial, and marketing considerations (i.e., that many readers hate AI, and will refuse to buy books/games that they know were made w/ AI), #StetChat 1/2

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:44:38.142Z

A5b: I would point out that I’ve been doing this for almost a decade, that my previous clients have been very satisfied w/ my work. That I can do things that AI can’t, like spot plot holes, point out that a character’s eye color changed between chapters, and make their voice shine. #StetChat 2/2

— Rachel Lapidow (@editrix-rachel.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:44:38.143Z

A5. If they want a human to buy & read their book, they should have a human edit it. I'm thankful to work with authors who, like me, don't use A👁️. They recognize the work & passion they put into their project will be elevated with that same level of detail and passion on the editing side. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:41:07.481Z

A5: Humans know when to break the rules to make the writing interesting, to give it voice. AI doesn’t know how to do that and flattens your voice. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:45:53.417Z

A5: Sometimes the machines make mistakes or even insert errors. For instance, Microsoft’s spellcheck editor had deteriorated in quality.I include this note in copyedit letters to authors to highlight why trusting AI tools to "edit" your text isn't a good idea. carolinavonkampen.com/ai-policy/

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:46:37.413Z

A5. I think I’d just gather a bunch of news articles about folks who used AI as a shortcut and how it DIDN’T work. #StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:42:13.037Z

A5: "AI is a fabulist that doesn't know the ornithological literature and can't weigh whether or not a bird report is substantive enough to be considered a record." (report vs. record is a big deal in the material I work on) #StetChat

— Jennifer W. Hanson (@jenniferwhanson.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:52:14.638Z

Q5: When a person uses AI to edit their own text, it's basically just a form of self-editing. They still have to assess and apply the AI's answers. Hiring a human editor is bringing in a tradespeople who has seen a lot of texts. It's like taking the train instead of driving your own car. #StetChat

— Saesnes (@tideandcanute.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:49:02.529Z

A5: I'm late to this one, but here's an real example I've used before when talking with a client: A table reports results from a regression where the effect is in percentage points. The discussion and conclusion reports the same numbers as percentages. Is an LLM going to catch that?#StetChat

— Wes Cowley (@wes.wordsbywes.ink) 2026-07-15T21:36:15.777Z

When people ask why my clients have continued hiring me, I explain, "They write to be read by humans, so they want a human to edit their work."

— Mumbling Sage In Wisconsin (@mumblingsage.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:57:55.371Z

#StetChatA5 I'd explain that editing requires nuance, and that AI is much more likely to apply formulas without critical thinking. It's likely to introduce errors and flatten their writing. And also, editing, just as writing, is art, and art is human.

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:54:51.777Z

#StetChat | A big one that can help is to explain that these are apps just like social media platforms and their first priority is to keep you there. What would you be willing to overlook or praise if your only goal was to keep someone talking to you for as long as possible?

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:46:24.869Z

#StetChat A5I don't have to. All my clients are so Anti-AI they don't need convincing! In that regards, my marketing & policy works!But if I had to explain, it would be about how editing is a critical thinking and creative process that AI can not do. AI can not make decisions like editors do.

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:45:20.875Z

A6: For book authors, something that feels like a metric of an edit but ISN’T is tracked changes. Some writers think the number of tracked changes is a metric of how good their writing is or how good the book is. …#StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:48:33.455Z

A6: I’ve had clients look at the copyedits and be like, “Oh my gosh, I feel like my writing is terrible, there are so many tracked changes and comments!” It can be visually overwhelming to clients to see that much red on the screen. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:48:41.799Z

#StetChat | I probably use time as a metric most often. For example, letting me help you outline for a week can save you six months or more of writing around in circles just to end up handing an editor a bloated manuscript that you have to pay extra money to get trimmed down.

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:54:16.767Z

A6. Not really a quantification, but I try to link the level of editing with the author's goals for the project—if they are trying to put a professional-level project out into the world (meaning, readers or agents will have certain expectations), then they need professional-level editing. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:54:54.793Z

A6: For content marketing, if there is a very bad draft sent to me, I'll list how many publication standards it's missing to show that it's not ready for copyedits.One time, for instance, I said "There are 28 'not only X but Y' constructions in this 2K-word blog post." #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:50:33.777Z

#StetChat A6I don't normally do this. No specific metrics. I don't promise sales numbers or high reviews because I can't. I can say, generally, editing is more helpful than not. Not just for readers but for learning how to write better & improving writing. Clients often improve overtime!!

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:52:16.069Z

#StetChatA6 I can't think of any. It's hard to quantify fiction editing quality, beyond explaining to the client what you did. I think it's more of a feeling that the writer gets as they see their manuscript evolve throughout the editing process.

— Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing (@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:03:35.367Z

A7: Love this article from @scieditor.ca about error rates in copyediting and proofreading:“According to a University of Hawaii review of studies on human error rates, 95% is the best a human can do—even a professional proofreader.” scieditor.ca/2013/11/podc… #StetChat #amediting #proofreading

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T20:55:24.087Z

The @acesediting.bsky.social's Value of Editing Research Study will also be great for showing why editing is valuable. There's a webinar about the findings, and the full study comes out this summer. #StetChat

— Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor (@carolinavonkampen.com) 2026-07-15T21:00:14.418Z

A7. I’m reasonably sure every single person who has ever worked in news has at least one “oh thank goodness for the copy editor” story. #StetChat

— Rhiannon (@rhiannonroot.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:54:35.630Z

A7. Not stats, but I'll sometimes let AUs know (anecdotally) about other AUs I've worked with who've been in the same boat/shared struggles. If I also see other AUs or publishing pros talking about similar problems on social media, I'll reference/link them to those too for the info. #StetChat

— Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor (@raqueledits.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T21:05:15.422Z

#StetChat | No! I honestly can say I have never had someone approach me and then had to convince them like this. I assume that someone who needs extensive "justification" isn't my kind of client anyhow, so I may be dodging a bullet there! I like to work with people who want to work with me.

— GetBookHelp.com: Helping new authors put their best book forward (@getbookhelp.bsky.social) 2026-07-15T20:58:21.646Z

#StetChat A7I'm sure there are some but I'm less of an stats/studies person and more of a personal experience person. I'm sure everyone has read a book where it could've used more editing and realized how important that is for the writing & publishing process.

— Steph 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ | Editor 🦦✍️ (@ottersediting.com) 2026-07-15T20:56:51.940Z