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Welcome to Season 2 of The Book Marketing Action Podcast with Becky Robinson, where we give you information that you can immediately implement to increase your influence and market your books more successfully. In this episode, we are joined by Kate Babbitt — Copy Editor of Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, by Becky Robinson.
The final episode of Season 2 focuses on the different types of editors within the book publishing industry and the role each one serves. Kate shares advice for finding a great editor, what to look for in an editor, and how authors can move past their biases to form a deep connection with their editor. According to Kate, an editor is there to be an author’s strength and help them succeed in the best possible way.
Key Points From This Episode
[01:48] Kate shares about her work in the world and her passion for editing.
[06:20] What are the different types of editors that authors can work with on their journey? Kate outlines a few.
[09:21] Kate explains how to differentiate between a developmental editor and a ghostwriter.
[10:01] Once you’re past the stage of developmental editing, there are other editors who join the process. Learn what these editors do.
[12:28] Kate describes the difference between a developmental editor and a copy editor and shares what a new author should expect to see in their edited manuscript.
[16:50] What does Kate mean when she says that copy editors act as wing women to authors?
[17:38] Kate shares what she wishes authors knew about working with editors.
[19:04] Kate explains what authors can do to reframe their view of an editor’s role in the process of bringing their book to market.
Action Steps:
- Love your editor. No matter what stage you are at in writing your book, get an editor involved. Remember that they are always there to make your work better.
- Share the love. When you find a good editor, you want to hang on to them! But most editors also appreciate it when you share the love, so be sure to pass on those recommendations and keep the work flowing their way.
Resources:
- If you need help finding an editor, reach out to becky@weavinginfluence.com
- Get in touch with Kate via email at katebabbitt@gmail.com
Tweetables and quotes:
If you choose to share on Twitter, don’t forget to tag @beckyrbnsn and @weaveinfluence so we know you enjoyed this episode!
I found that I love working with language, and I love being in the background, and I love helping people say what they want to say. – Kate Babbitt
When I can hear an author speak, that helps me understand how to edit their text and how to craft their work for them. That’s the deepest level of connection. – Kate Babbitt
When you get a reader’s report, it’s important to remember your message and your purpose. Take everything they say through that lens. – Kate Babbitt
Whatever areas you don’t feel strong in, an editor is there to be your strength. – Kate Babbitt
An editor is a person who’s going to come and help you, this is a person who is really, really on your side, and wants you to succeed in the best possible way. – Kate Babbitt
I want my book to be as wonderful as it can be. I want to make sure the product that I bring to the world is the best it can be. What a gift to have someone alongside for that. – Becky Robinson
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I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.