Sharing your manuscript, especially in its infancy, can feel extremely vulnerable. Many people write because they have an important message to share that’s close to their heart, whether that’s written explicitly in a memoir or subtly in a fantasy world, so sending your hard work into the world can be really difficult. But sharing the work is part of the work. Here are some factors to consider while you’re hyping yourself up to hit send to your editor, beta readers, or just your friends.

• Your editor reads for a living (or at least as a side job). They were likely an avid reader even as a child. They’ve seen it all and are not there to judge you. A good editor cares about improving your work without changing your voice, and they are going to get nowhere on that if they’re judging your work instead. Plus, many editors charge by the word, and it’s not efficient to waste time evaluating the author as a person.
• Your beta readers (ideally) love reading. You might be worried that your work is stale or has been done before, but readers will happily read the same story in different packaging over and over. Remember the vampire and werewolf craze of the 2000s after Twilight came out? There are thousands of books and movies that play on the exact themes of supernatural love triangles that all got very popular. It may be true that your story or theme has been done before. But you haven’t done it yet, and yours is going to be different just because it’s yours. 
• No one is ever going to love your work if no one ever reads it. All works of art have their ugly phases, and as difficult as it is, taking critiques is what takes a manuscript from passable to a masterpiece.
• Just like there are many types of writers, there are many types of readers. Not everyone is going to love your manuscript, and that’s a good thing. It’s not for everyone. The editing stage helps you define your manuscript’s purpose, which will help you find your audience. Whether you’re hoping for an audience of 10 or 10,000, some people will love it and others won’t. You’re not writing for everyone. You can’t write for everyone. Excluding some readers is how you make something truly special for your intended audience.
• Getting used to vulnerability is a rite of passage for writers. Unless you’re planning to publish anonymously and never tell a soul, the end goal is probably to share your work with the world. Think of it like a muscle. Maybe you haven’t stretched your creative vulnerability muscle in a while, or ever. It’s going to be difficult at first, but it will get easier with time.
• Being worried that people will reject your writing means that you care about it and put yourself into it. When writers put themselves into their work, that’s what gives it a spark. That worry is a good sign that you’re doing great.

In the coming articles, we’ll be addressing some more of the most frequently asked editing questions from new (overwhelmed) independent authors.

• I can’t afford any of this!
• What is an advance reader copy?
• Can I format my own book?
• What is a vanity publisher?

~Allison of Sigmon Editorial

From idea to ISBN, Sigmon Editorial’s got your back.