Editing Lessons (and What I’ve Learned)

This year, one of my goals is to follow a more structured, professional publishing path.

I handle my own developmental edits (project management brain at work!). I use tools like the 5 Whys and what-if analysis when plotting, and I visualize each story like a film — watching the characters move through beats to ensure nothing is skipped.

However, while sales were coming in, reviews and average ratings weren’t as strong as I’d hoped. That told me something: I still needed stronger line and copy editing.

For my first three books, I used very inexpensive editors (around $70 for 60,000 words). For Book Four, I invested $250, still considered affordable by industry standards, but this editor has credentials, publishing-house experience, and a professional site. I’m hopeful this was the right move.

A Quick Warning Story

I also learned an expensive lesson.

I hired a budget editor on Fiverr and only later realized the freelancer may have been part of a known scam network. There were red flags (timezone inconsistencies, vague answers about AI usage, unexplained removal of italics, heavy trimming without explanation). By the time I pieced it together, I’d already closed the project.

That $75 became a write-off, and a reminder: vet carefully before hiring.

Print Publishing & Word Count Adjustments

One of my major 2026 goals is to release paperback editions.

I discovered that Regency novels have a minimum word count of 70,000 words. Unfortunately, I thought it was less, so my first two were around 65,000. So I’ve added a couple of additional chapters to each of those books.

Current status:

• Book D: Final edits complete (with new chapters)

• Book B: Final edits complete (with new chapters)

• Book A: Undergoing fresh final edit

• Book C: Waiting to secure line/copy editor

I originally planned to distribute directly to Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Kobo for Book D, but the tax documentation and international paperwork were more complex than I expected. For now, I will release through Draft2Digital while I sort out the business side properly.

Print editions are planned for May, so I have time.

ARC Readers & Growth

Book D is currently on Booksprout for ARC readers. I receive many impressions, but fewer readers than I’d like.

I also created a Google Form for my own ARC team (link here if you’d like to join!), but I’m still building momentum there.

Book E Progress

I’ve drafted the first 15 chapters of Book E.

Originally, this book leaned heavily into erotica-style mystery romance. However, I learned that as a debut author, consistency in heat level is important. So I shifted toward a sensual tone instead. The storyline is actually more interesting, and I've given the FMC a lot more agency.

And honestly? I’ve loved writing sensual romance. You get all the emotional intensity without needing explicit scenes to carry the weight.

I also stopped editing heavily as I draft. When I over-edit too early, I lose the raw creative energy that makes the story breathe.

Social Media Strategy

After reviewing my Instagram analytics, I discovered my audience is most active:

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 12:00–2:30 PM

So that’s my new posting schedule:

• Monday: Behind-the-scenes carousel (recently shared how I designed my cover in Adobe Express)

• Tuesday: Regency Word Series (five words + original usage year + meaning)

• Friday: A reel — this week features a passage from my upcoming release

The word series has been especially fun. I kept discovering words I’d used that weren’t coined until after 1817, so now I turn it into educational content instead!