Is it Possible to Over-Edit a Book? Book Writing Tips

Every book needs professional editing and self-editing by the author. And while there are some books that don't get nearly enough editing, there are also books that get far too much editing. In fact, some authors get stuck editing their book over and over again and the book never gets published. Make sure that doesn't happen to you by watching this video from author and founder of Book Launchers, Julie Broad. In this video Julie explains that there are three situations where authors commonly struggle to stop editing their book. In each of those situations, there are ways to help you avoid the over-editing death spiral.
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[@AlyssaMatesic]

As an editor, can totally agree with this -- it's definitely a slippery slope to hire one editor after another on the same manuscript. Thanks for this great video!

[@BookLaunchers]

Hi Alyssa - thanks for stopping by and connecting!! What kind of editing do you do? You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

@@BookLaunchers I'm a structural/developmental editor, specializing in novels. And thanks so much!

[@anzita7]

I love your videos cause you always bring different solutions and support writers.

[@kreshaspence4930]

Cant wait to get to the editing stage

[@BennieBullock]

Great advice. It was really hard for me to stop editing.

[@BookLaunchers]

I have people to help you stop ... do I need to send them? ;)

[@brianmajerus]

I was just thinking about this this morning and then got the note of your video! Thanks for the spiral picture and tips. A good expression of my experience. 👍

[@BookLaunchers]

The spirals were not spinning the right way but I was driving my editor crazy so I let it go. :) Thanks for commenting the day a video came out: You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won!

[@marylynneturner5290]

These are great tips. Thanks for reminding me that the first draft should be bad. Counterintuitive, but the justification is solid.

[@BookLaunchers]

The goal is to get the content out ... glad you got that point!! Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@poetryfromtheheart1287]

I must admit that I struggling to overcome this very problem. In college my father used to get quite desperate with me because I would ask him to proof read my papers and I would make a dozen drafts or so before he was saved by the due papers due date. Now there is no due date, so I must learn that like it or not, at some point I have to hit the breaks, because no matter how hard I may try, I will never be able to edit out every mistake I make.

[@BGSpare]

I've said for years that perfection is an elusive goal.

[@BookLaunchers]

Right?!!

[@StudioThirtyEight]

YEAR END BLOOPER REEL, JULIE.

[@BookLaunchers]

Maybe next year we'll collect them all and do that. :) Not this year though ... my editor is way behind on his work because he got involved in some political video work and was swamped.

[@TheShaunHayes]

Julie thank you for this wonderful video. As I watched it I only realized there’s so much I don’t know or understand. So glad to be on the Book Launchers team.

[@TheShaunHayes]

Julie thank you for this very informative video. It only continues to reinforce what I don’t know, so glad to be on the Book Launchers team.

[@BharathRamMS]

Thanks for this video. I am about to begin editing my first draft and this was extremely helpful. It just appeared on my recommendations. Thank you again.

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it helped! Thank you so much for saying hello! If you’re just getting started with writing, I highly recommend our 7 steps to write a non-fiction book. You can get that at www.booklaunchers.com/7steps and if you’re ready to market a book our Gameplan for selling 1000 books with less than $100 is a great way to start planning your book marketing. You can download that for free at www.booklaunchers.com/gameplan Hope to see you again soon!

[@xD_HeavyMusic]

Your videos are so on point xD I am dangerously close to over-editing mine. Time to stop. Thanks for the great video! :)

[@BookLaunchers]

You are welcome!! ! And you know the drill but I'll tell you anyway! Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book! Thanks for reaching out!

[@cynthiabehr1870]

Thank you! You just made me feel normal and validated... and that gives me a huge sigh of relief. I'm both stuck on the editing loop, and trying to figure out where to put content in that I overlooked. In addition, I'm hindered from moving forward bc I feel like the last 75 pages weren't as great as the first 175. I'm at the home stretch. You gave me permission to write mediocre script. Just get it written, then edit. Thanks!

[@BookLaunchers]

YES!!!!

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Hello Julie..Thanks

[@davidnewton190]

Couldn't agree more!

[@briankreeger9888]

Another great video!

[@xjp1998]

Great video personally I did 11 drafts before I gave it to my editor and I was totally blown away with what he did with it and just let the book go and have been very happy with how it has done. Also to say thank you I sent you a hardback copy to book launchers even though it’s fiction your tips were extremely helpful

[@BookLaunchers]

Oh that's so cool thank you!!

[@xjp1998]

@@BookLaunchers ya I sent it to your LA office so not sure if it arrived yet or not but anyways its on the way if not

[@BookLaunchers]

@@xjp1998 Thanks. I am in Canada until the virus lets up but I have someone checking the mail and sending it to me once a month. That was SOOOO thoughtful. I look forward to checking it out.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Great Tips...thanks..El inmigrante venezolano

[@SysterYster]

I did mini-edits while writing. But I did finish it. :D I've edited my book for almost 1,5 years now. But I'm getting closer to being ready to look up an agent or professional editor. Most of the time is due to the fact I have a full time job as a teacher. And that takes most of my time. Pooh. I always read what I wrote the previous day before starting anew. To get back into the mood and to remember where exactly I stopped. But I didn't read all of it, just the last 1-3 paragraphs. :)

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@ronneitzel8081]

Great tips

[@BookLaunchers]

Ron it's wonderful to see you around again!

[@kellytuttle1166]

Thank you!

[@BookLaunchers]

You're welcome!

[@sarz1837]

Wonderful topic, as always!

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad you think so!

[@camoflage61821]

Great video, as always! As for #1, writing a bad first draft, I've been accomplishing that particular mission for years! YEARS, I tell you! :)

[@BookLaunchers]

Good stuff! Love your sense of humor about it. :)

[@joycerobinson855]

Hello Julie! Great information as always! 👍 I am a self-editing writer, and because of this video, I am challenging myself to finish the draft of my first, and most challenging journal book, by November 30, 2020!🤔

[@BookLaunchers]

Wonderful! Let me know when you finish.

[@mystyredz]

I wrote my first book, edited it on my own, and published it to kdp. Feeling good. Months later I was re-editing it as realized mistakes. Embarrassing!

[@bryanhughes5470]

Love your videos and love to edit..lol I need to set up a call with you.

[@michaelafake8544]

Thanks for the advice. But there is a problem you overlooked: cost of hiring professionals to undertake the various editing. It’s a Catch 22. My just about to be published two technical 200,000 words books would cost me in the order of $4000 to do copy edit and then there is indexing, final InDesign work, cover art and layout, and marketing. With a $2000 budget one has to do most of the work alone. It’s a tug of war between expected revenue and costs.

[@robbiegarnz7732]

Perfection is the enemy of good enough!

[@BookLaunchers]

You found it :) Hope it helped.

[@Drathaar01]

I don't think I've had that problem. I'm always wanting more editing, but hold back. With my first editor, I should have got a second opinion first. Live and learn. I did have all the books he editied reedited. Stopped the bad reviews cold.

[@isassetuba]

Other editors are placing ads on your channel 😂 😂

[@BookLaunchers]

haha Let me know who they are so I can return the favor ;)

[@IJ-King]

Lol. Guilty as charged. Always editing from the start!😅

[@BookLaunchers]

HAHAHAHA I was definitely pointing the finger at you and only you ... ;) Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@IJ-King]

@@BookLaunchers Ah, my bestie knows me so well🤣

[@andyw1153]

Oh my lawd I've rushed and had to revisit - after editing! It's proving to be a costly lesson for me, but this is a learning process instead of a big loss (got to stay positive lol) #NoBoringBooks #Bookpreneur

[@BookLaunchers]

You are in great company Andy. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

 Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@rachelrobertson7353]

Yes, yes and more yes! (answering the questions at the beginning of the video :-D) I think I’m too much of a perfectionist when it comes to editing, or maybe I’ve put too much pressure on my book. I’m definitely afraid that I’ve edited/revised/rewritten the book to death... 😢

[@BookLaunchers]

A book that is never published can never find it's readers.

[@rachelrobertson7353]

@@BookLaunchers Words to live by!

[@SysterYster]

I would never in my life allow another person to write my book for me. First, because I love writing. That's the best part. But also because I know they wouldn't do it in the same way as I would, and just nooo, it wouldn't work. Just no. Nope! XD

[@pug856]

So different for fiction writers.

[@BookLaunchers]

When do you stop editing fiction?

[@davidnewton190]

I've met more authors troubled by this silly editing syndrome than you could ever imagine. Bet you have too.

[@joycemiracle1588]

I am an incurable editor of my first edition. Please help

[@thetechconsultant]

My book is already published but I have edited the content about 7 times. I’m going to stop now

[@BookLaunchers]

:) Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@spartanlb1986]

This is so me. I miss your rock intro.

[@BookLaunchers]

haha the rave vibe doesn't do it for you? :)

[@pastoraaroncrowley]

Thanks for this! I finished a developmental edit. And then I had beta readers take a look. And now I’m almost rewriting two chapters. And I’m afraid I might be about to enter that death spiral. So this was like a nice warning to not get crazy! Lol.

[@BookLaunchers]

HAHA sounds like once you head to copy edit you really should ease off the editing. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!

[@pastoraaroncrowley]

@@BookLaunchers, actually this video made me think of a question I’d love to see your thoughts on. Do you have any advice on writing about hard topics like sexual assault? That’s been my difficulty with editing so much. I don’t want to be too graphic and scare away some potential readers who need to hear the rest of what I’ve got to say.

[@BookLaunchers]

@@pastoraaroncrowley It's a case by case basis but we had one book you could check out ... Men Too by Dr. Kelli Palfy. I'm not intimately familiar with what was done throughout the book to handle that balance but seeing how the stories were portrayed in that book might help you.

[@pastoraaroncrowley]

@@BookLaunchers, thank you!! Sounds like it’s exactly what I need to look into. :)

[@gladysgarrasteguy553]

I went to canvas

[@parthibanathimuthur1473]

Hello I'm Parthiban. I'm from India. I had 10 year exp in the publishing area, and I'm still working as a template developer and typesetter so if you have any freelance job please get me...

[@epicvideo1915]

Ist comment ❤️

[@BookLaunchers]

CONGRATS!! Thank you for stopping by and for commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win some sweet #noboringbooks swag for your comment today. The draw happens during our next LIVE STREAM which is on Tuesday, November 24th at 2pm PST / 5pm EST - really hope you can be there! And, if you can’t, the replay will be available so you can tune in to hear if you won! 

Also - mark your calendar because our next Deep Dive Training is happening on November 21st at 10am. That is going to be a session all about pre-launch and launch planning for your book!