Blog
Notes from the editorial desk.
Working editors writing about structure, voice, submissions, and the business of being an author.
Featured articles
What a Developmental Edit Really Does to a Novel
Most authors think structural editing is about plot holes. It is closer to architecture — and it changes the book from the foundations up.
Marguerite Aduba · 9 min read
The First Five Pages: What Agents Actually Read For
Voice, orientation, and a reason to turn the page. Everything else in your opening is negotiable.
Daniel Oyelaran · 7 min read
How to Hire a Book Editor: A Complete Guide for Authors
How to work out which edit you need, vet an editor properly, read a sample edit, and agree terms that protect the book and the budget.
Marguerite Aduba · 12 min read
9 articles found
What a Developmental Edit Really Does to a Novel
Most authors think structural editing is about plot holes. It is closer to architecture — and it changes the book from the foundations up.
Marguerite Aduba · 8 July 2026 · 9 min read
The First Five Pages: What Agents Actually Read For
Voice, orientation, and a reason to turn the page. Everything else in your opening is negotiable.
Daniel Oyelaran · 24 June 2026 · 7 min read
The Style Sheet: A Copy Editor's Quiet Superpower
A living record of every decision your book makes about itself — and why you should keep it forever.
Priya Venkatesan · 5 June 2026 · 5 min read
Why Editorial Work Is Priced Per Word
Word count is a proxy for hours. Here is how the arithmetic actually works.
Marguerite Aduba · 19 May 2026 · 6 min read
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