Last October, I sent in my manuscript for my first professional content edit, and received my editorial letter back in December. Like probably almost every writer, I was scared and nervous about it all. But there’s one thing I did that prepared me for the feedback—and no, it wasn’t eating ice cream and chocolate (believe it or not, I didn’t need either). My content edit on my manuscript wasn’t my first time receiving outside, professional feedback. Rather, it was my twenty-sixth time getting edits back on a story.

Over the past two years, I submitted dozens of stories to Havok Publishing and various anthologies, twenty-six of which were published. And part of that publishing process was getting my story back with plenty of digital red ink and comments all over it. Getting edits and needing to change things still stings some even when the word count is short. But learning how I respond to receiving edits when I was only dealing with 1,000 words prepared me for when I was dealing with edits on a much larger scale. I knew how I needed to pace myself going through the editorial letter and manuscript to keep myself from being overwhelmed. I knew how to mentally prepare myself. I knew how to keep myself from overreacting emotionally and taking it too personally. 

So my fellow writers, let me encourage you with this: don’t let your editorial letter be your first experience with edits. I know I’ve said it before, but Havok Publishing is fantastic to work with. They give feedback on every story submitted, even if it isn’t selected for publication. So go check out their current submission guideline! 

PS: I also had an amazing, encouraging editor for my content edit. Sara Ella was wonderful to work with, and I highly recommend snagging one of her editing slots whenever they’re available!