As a writer, I've found that one of the hardest tasks in writing a book isn't the actual writing. It's reading the editorial mark-ups and realizing you have to revise what you thought was brilliant writing. Whether it's grammar or style mark-up, or questions and comments on content, the editing that has been done represents a challenge to the author, both in terms of making the time to revise the writing, but also dealing with criticism.

I'm told that a good writer is someone who can take criticism well, even if it's harsh criticism. There's a grain of truth in that statement, in the sense that a writer needs to be receptive to the comments and mark-ups offered. Those comments and mark-ups are on your manuscript for a reason, namely to help you improve the writing.

On the other hand, nothing is so disheartening as getting criticism that isn't remotely helpful or constructive. I recall one time hearing from the editor of a magazine that while I had great ideas, my sense of writing style was horrible. I was told that my writing wouldn't be accepted unless it drastically improved. I remember thinking to myself: But isn't the editor's job to help the writer improve hir writing? It took me a year to muster up the courage to write for that particular magazine again, mainly because I didn't feel I'd received anything remotely useful in the criticism that could help me improve my writing. I only rethought writing for that magazine when I felt I could write an article they couldn't refuse.

What I really learned from that incident is that just because someone is an editor, doesn't mean they will give your work the time you feel it deserves, especially if s/he has to deal with multiple submissions from other people. I learned another lesson as well. Find someone with good editing skills who is willing to take the time and give your work the attention it needs, before going to submit an article to a magazine. Magazine editors work on tighter deadlines and have less time to devote to any given work, especially if they are involved in the layout and production of the magazine.

With a publisher of books it's different. The editors are expected to thoroughly edit your work. Even so, presentation is important and having someone go over your work before you submit it can increase your chances of getting published. Also, you need to remember that the publishing company has its own deadlines. If it looks like your work could take longer to process then they have time for, chances are that it will be passed over.

When you get the edits back, don't take the criticism personally. The editor is trying to help you improve your work. S/he isn't commenting on you as a person or even as a writer. If you take the criticism personally, it's only because you have an over-inflated ego when it comes to your writing. I look at the editing markup as an opportunity to improve the writing and improve my awareness of the writing mistakes I make.

There are some important characteristics I look for in an editor (ones I also apply to myself when I edit). I want someone who is tough when it comes to grammar and content, but also fair. The editor's job isn't to rewrite the book, but it is to offer suggestions for its improvement. If an editor tries to write my book for me, s/he may as well be the author at that point. At the same time offering suggestions can help an author expand an on a text or improve hir writing. I also want an editor who offers an occasional word of encouragement. It can be a little intimidating to revise a marked-up manuscript, so when I find the occasional good point or similar praise from the editor, I feel like s/he is also noticing what my strengths are. Finally, I want an editor who is willing to put some time into my manuscript, because if I feel it was worth writing s/he should feel it's worth editing.

As an editor, I look for a manuscript that is well written and has obviously been looked over. Nothing is worse than receiving a sloppy, first draft of a manuscript and realizing the writer actually thought it was presentable. While it's quite an accomplishment to get the first draft done, likely the writing needs polishing. I've usually gone through three to four drafts of my own writing before I submit it anywhere. I used to send off first drafts, but the results were never as good as I thought they would be, mainly because the writing didn't look presentable.

Also, I look for a writer who can take criticism, but isn't afraid to assert hir own opinion on the book s/he has written. The writer needs to believe in hir own writing, while being receptive to realize that it'll still need work. I want a writer who's willing to commit time and effort to hir manuscript. If I'm willing to commit my time to your writing, don't you think you should as well? I reject a manuscript when I see that the author can't take criticism, or when the writing is so poor that I can't get what the author is trying to explain to me.

Ask your editor if there's anything s/he notices about your work that can be improved. Make it a point to thank hir for hir criticism and comments. Remember s/he wants to help you publish your book. Working with your editor will make the editing and revision process go smoother for all people involved, so that you can move on to your next book and s/he can work on hir next project.

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