You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Work with a Book Editor (Here’s Why)

You know, sometimes it can be hard to know when to get the eyes of an editor on your project. You might even be thinking you’re not a good enough writer to hire one.

What if my writing isn’t good enough?
What if they think my book is terrible?
What if I’m wasting their time?

These are such natural thoughts, but I’m going to be honest with you: toss them out the window! ❌

Most of us writers think we’re awful at this whole word-wrangling thing. But here’s the truth: editors aren’t here to judge you. We’re not sitting behind our screens ready to quietly dismiss your story or side-eye your pages.

Writing a novel is hard. Revising it? Even harder.

We all have different strengths in this process, and when you’re feeling lost, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, the best next step might be asking for help. That’s where a good editor comes in.

In this post, I want to reframe that sneaky little voice in your head that says you’re not ready or not good enough. Because the truth is: you don’t have to be perfect to work with an editor — you just have to be open. 💡

Let’s dive in.

Here’s what we’re covering in today’s post:

The Real Fear Isn’t About Readiness. It’s About Worthiness

Thinking you’re not ready for an editor rarely comes down to structural concerns — not really. It’s not usually about pacing or subplot issues or messy prose.

It’s deeper than that.

It comes from:

• A fear of being exposed as a “bad” writer 😬
• A belief that everyone else is more talented
• A worry that needing help = failure
• The myth that “real” writers only hire editors at the very end

But none of that’s true.

Handing over your manuscript is such a vulnerable thing. It takes courage. And if perfectionism has been whispering in your ear, telling you to wait until your story is “good enough,” I want to gently challenge that.

Perfectionism stalls progress and isolates writers. Collaboration, on the other hand? It accelerates growth and brings so much relief.

What Editors Actually Want to See

When I open a manuscript, I don’t expect it to be perfect. That would actually be… weird. 😂 I know, I know! I definitely do come across some amazing manuscripts in my editing business. But every story needs at least some work. There’s no such thing as perfect!

If you’ve hired an editor, it means you know it’s not done yet. You’re not trying to pretend it’s flawless. You’re looking for guidance, insight, and support, and that’s exactly what a good editor offers.

So, what do I actually look for when I open a manuscript?

👉 Voice
👉 Characters with depth or potential
👉 A clear story concept or premise
👉 Emotional promise and storytelling energy

You don’t need spotless prose. You don’t need flawless structure. You need something malleable — a story with bones, even if some of them are out of place right now.

That’s why I designed my editing services (especially my manuscript evaluations) to meet your story exactly where it is. It’s built to give you the tools, insight, and encouragement to take it where you want it to go.

You’re not turning in a pass/fail assignment. You’re inviting a collaborative partner to help you shape something you care deeply about.

How to Know You’re Ready

Still not sure if it’s time? Here are a few questions to help you self-assess:

• Do you have a completed first draft — even if it’s messy?
• Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to revise?
• Are you craving clarity and direction more than validation or praise?

If you’re nodding along right now, you’re likely more ready than you think.

✍️ And if you’re not quite there, that’s okay too. You might start with a self-edit to get your bearings. My Layered Character Arc Blueprint is a free resource that helps you strengthen your protagonist’s emotional arc — one layer at a time. It’s a great place to start gaining confidence in your revision process.

Grab your free copy of the Layered Character Arc Blueprint!

You Don’t Have to Be “Good Enough” — You Just Have to Be Open

Let me tell you what it’s like to work with me. 💖

When you book a manuscript evaluation with me, you’re not getting graded. You’re not submitting your story for judgment. Instead, you’re inviting someone into your creative process — someone who’s excited to meet your story with care, curiosity, and clarity.

I was a reader before I was a writer and an editor! I’m here to love your story!

I don’t just hand you a list of everything that’s “wrong.” I guide you through what’s working, where things might be falling short, and what steps you can take to strengthen your story at its core. I tailor every evaluation using my Stories in Layers approach — a method that sees your story in all its complexity, depth, and potential.

This is collaborative editing. It’s encouraging, empowering, and personalized.

You don’t need a perfect manuscript. You need a manuscript that’s ready to grow. 🌱

Why Manuscript Evaluations Are Ideal for This Stage

If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or insecure about your story, a manuscript evaluation is an ideal next step. It’s designed to be an entry point into the world of editing — not a final verdict.

• It’s not a red-pen takedown.
• It’s not a rigid checklist of everything wrong.
• It’s not an overwhelming markup of every sentence.

Instead, it’s a strategic, high-level review of your story’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. You walk away with:

✅ Clear feedback
✅ Specific suggestions
✅ A roadmap for your revisions
✅ A boost in clarity, confidence, and momentum

It’s the perfect option for writers who don’t feel perfect — but do feel ready for guidance.

Final Thoughts: Brave, Not Perfect

So if you’ve ever thought, I’m not good enough to hire an editor, I want you to know this:

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be brave. 💫

The fact that you’re writing a book at all? That’s incredible. The fact that you’re even considering bringing someone else into your process? That takes guts.

Let’s grow your story — one layer at a time. 🪄