Why it's best if I hate your book

Your editor is not your reader

Being “nonsense-free” has its drawbacks, the most notable of which is that sometimes it loses you business.

Last week I made a tweet about present tense writing. Specifically that I hated it.

I needed some feedback for video research. I don’t like present tense and I wanted to hear from my followers how they liked it. It was a mixed bag and I’m glad I asked.

However… I didn’t think about how that would land with my clients.

I am at this moment editing a (very good) present-tense novel and have another one lined up in the next few weeks. Or at least I did.

The present-tense author I was supposed to work with canceled. I can only assume she saw the tweet and decided to go with someone else. That was disappointing.

I found myself in the odd position of wanting to say: “Just because I hate your style of writing (as a reader) doesn’t mean I shouldn’t edit your book.”

To be fair, it’s better for ME if I absolutely love your book. Though it may not be better for you.

You see, if I love your book, a…