How to Edit Your Novel: Practical Tips for Strengthening Your Story

by Karin Beery

Take your self-editing skills to the next level.

· Have you eliminated all the telling?
· Are the characters complex?
· Is every scene necessary?

Most authors will answer 'yes!' to these questions. But then editors and readers tell them the descriptions don’t engage them, the characters are stereotypical, and the story dragged.

How do you fix it?

Self-editing can only take you so far. But if you know the right questions to ask and you know how to interpret the answers, you’ll not only strengthen your self-editing skills, you’ll strengthen your writing.

How to Edit Your Novel doesn’t simply rehash the fiction-writing basics that create good stories—it provides examples, context, and questions that will help authors identify and strengthen their weaknesses the same way a professional editor tackles a manuscript.

By combining mini writing lessons with practical self-editing tips, everything a writer needs to become a better self-editor is practically presented. Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced author, How to Edit Your Novel can help you polish your story into a gem that agents, publishers, and readers will want to keep reading.

“…bound to be a book you keep right next to your keyboard….”

--Cristel Phelps, Managing Editor for Fiction, Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.

Genres: Writing

Unknown Binding

First published October 27, 2023

About the author

Hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance.

I fell in romance when I read Ned and Nancy (Drew) and Maryanne and Logan (The Baby-Sitters Club). I've been reading and writing them ever since.

A native Michigander, I love the water, all the seasons, and the University of Michigan football. I still live in Michigan with my husband and four fur babies.

Reviews

[Ramona Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for every novelist, especially beginners. Beery’s approach is that of a seasoned content editor, and she breaks down all the basic elements an editor reviews, offering up clean and distinct explanations of each one, along with suggestions for fixing problems and feedback questions to ask a beta reader. This is, without a doubt, one of the most straightforward yet thorough looks at how to break down a novel, delineate the issues, and rewrite with clarity. Highly recommended.

[Amy Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karin has saved me so much time and energy. This guide has been incredibly helpful in my process to self editing my novels. She has listed everything out that you need to know or need to ask your beta readers in an easy to understand way. She is knows what she's talking about. She explains how structure, dialogue, and every aspect of your novel should go together during the editing process and how to make it make sense. After reading this guide, I'm not stressing or freaking out so much about editing my WIPs. I'm incredibly thankful for her putting her time and energy into creating this guide!

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craft books are something aspiring authors are encouraged to study and learn more about the art of writing. If you have ever searched for books about writing a book, I’m positive you found enough options to overwhelm you. Which ones are the best? Which one do you start with? How will you ever find time to read them all?

In How to Edit Your Novel: Practical Tips for Strengthening Your Story, author and editor Karin Beery breaks down the most common issues found in manuscripts. From point of view to passive voice to conflict plus much more, Beery gives authors examples and practical tips for finding the weaknesses in your writing.

This is a book that won’t sit on my bookshelf waiting until I have time to get to it. No, this book has earned its place next to my computer to reference as I write and edit. Not only does this book give you tools to become a stronger author, How to Edit Your Novel will also make you a better critique partner and/or beta reader. And I will be recommending this book to every author I know.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an editor, I know the value of this book. Beery has addressed so many things in such a clear, understandable way with this book. I'll be recommending it to many people, especially my clients.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karin Beery has created a comprehensive guide for authors to use to self-edit their novels with the help of beta readers. Some of the topics she covers include common first-time author mistakes, types of story plots, story structure, dialogue, and more. Not only does Karin have the experience to back up her advice, but she has formatted the content in a straightforward manner that makes it easily accessible to readers. I wish I had this book before I had written my first novel. Unpublished authors often ask me for advice. Going forward, I will recommend this book to them.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of working with new authors, I put together this book to help them strengthen their writing BEFORE they hire an editor. It's the book I wish I'd had when I started writing.

[Karen Procopio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're an established author or beginning your writing career, Karin Beery's book "How to Edit Your Novel" should be your new desktop reference. First, she takes what could be considered eye-rolling, head-bobbing subject matter and explains it with a friendly, conversational tone, like chatting with a good friend. Who would expect an editing book to inspire a reader to curl up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a highlighter pen? Second, she provides Don’t and Do examples with explanations as to why you should avoid common errors and a constructive plan for how to fix them. I encourage every creative writing teacher or student to buy a copy of this book to inform their teaching and learning. Third, its easy-to-follow format can be broken into self-contained, daily or weekly editing sessions, allowing you to work at your own pace and order. By the time you’ve finished editing your manuscript, it’s certain to be tighter, cleaner, and stronger. Plan to read this book with sticky notes and a bowl of popcorn. Yes, popcorn. With "How to Edit Your Novel", editing is an enjoyable experience!

[Elizabeth "Eli" Olmedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have easily read a dozen or more writing and editing books to learn everything Karin Beery teaches in How to Edit Your Novel. She brings together so many aspects of the process in one invaluable resource.

Tackling story structure, showing vs. telling, dialogue, formatting, and so much more, it blew me away how much she packed into 202 pages without overwhelming the reader. Broken down by topic into bite-size, digestible sections, Beery’s experience both as an editor and teacher shone through.

This is one resource I wish I’d had back when I first started my writing and editing journey. Though written with beginners in mind, writers and editors at all stages can benefit. I recommend this book to:

*New writers and editors.

*Non-beginners wanting a refresher.

*Writers with limited time and funds. Seriously! Not everyone can spend the hours and money required to read dozens of books. How to Edit Your Novel allows them to cover a lot and see what their trouble areas are so they can focus their resources on those topics.

Full disclosure, I did take some editing courses with Beery, but it did not affect my review or thoughts. On the contrary, I worried about not loving it. What if I felt like it was okay but didn’t meet a need or void? I worried unnecessarily! To borrow a cliché (which you will learn about in Chapter 6), I will put my money where my mouth is and purchase a paperback copy to add to my shelf of quick-access, often-revisited writing and editing books.

Review copy provided by author. Thanks!

[SHELLEY SINGH · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an aspiring writer, I have a difficult time navigating the whole editing process.
Karin has created a thorough guide to make the process of editing more clear and less daunting.
I found inspiration, encouragement, and tangible direction from How to edit Your Novel. I particularly liked the emphasis on character development and learning to process feedback to create a stronger story.
I also found chapter on POV compelling and insightful and highly practical.
I had a lot of questions in how to approach elements of storytelling and this book has given me a lot of practical insights and angles to create a more multi-dimensional story with stronger characters.
This book is a resource I will be using as a I plot out my fiction novel and highly recommend it to others who are new to editing or need a refresher.
I receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Janet Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hearing Karin Beery teach in person, I couldn’t wait for the release of this book. Beery uses her varied editing experience to guide new and experienced writers through problem areas we may not even be aware of. It’s so helpful to examine our stories through fresh eyes.

I appreciate how well organized this information is and the explanations and reasons for her recommendations.

Editing your own work is difficult, and writing craft books such as this are a goldmine to novelists.

I highly recommend.

[Jenny Fratzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Edit Your Novel: Practical Tips for Strengthening Your Story helped me as a writer. I particularly appreciated Chapter Five, “Your Story’s Structure,” where Karin Berry broke down the three-act plot structure into six parts. Throughout her book, Berry employed several novels as structural models for new and established writers to understand the art of structuring a novel in a practical and accessible manner.

I wish Berry would write a book on seamlessly eliminating floating body parts. If offered, I would gladly purchase the audiobook version in the author’s voice.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative- as a rising author there were many things to take away from this :)

[Jastrow Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. This is the guide you want!

[Jennifer Hallmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karin’s book on editing for authors is very helpful, whether you are a newbie or multi-published. I love the way she uses examples from novels and movies to illustrate her points. I also like that she sums up each chapter for easy reference. I’d highly recommend her book…