If you’re thinking about submitting a manuscript to a publisher but you want the guidance, skills, and experience of a professional editor, we can connect you to some of the best.
Today, meet Donna Knutson. Donna is an experienced and proven expert book editor. But she goes beyond to provide inspiration and coaching that truly set her apart. As owner of Write Journeys LLC, Donna provides book editing, writing services, and coaching, including for college essays.
“I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE TELL THEIR STORIES. I’VE BEEN DOING THAT IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER SINCE I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. WHEN MY WRITERS FEEL SUPPORTED, UNDERSTOOD, AND ENCOURAGED, I FEEL FANTASTIC.” – Donna Knutson
How has your work experience prepared you to be a book editor?
I discovered in a graduate school writing workshop that I loved commenting on my classmates’ writing.
Diving into someone’s work is like doing a puzzle, finding subtle surprises, enjoying fresh imagery, and celebrating innovative plot twists. I loved suggesting revisions to help strengthen the storytelling. I loved hearing that my comments were thoughtful, insightful, and relevant.
I got similar feedback as a senior managing editor at a TV station in Cincinnati, Ohio. I worked with reporters and photographers to create stories you felt compelled to watch. Reporters told me my edits improved their stories. Utterly joyful is how I felt hearing this feedback.
You are an inspiring writing coach. How do you motivate and coach writers?
The joy of working with creative people is the tension between vulnerability and the need to express ourselves.
Writers often have no memory of when they started observing the world, creating stories in their minds, keeping journals, and writing stories.
The lucky among us were encouraged to take what was in our imagination or on our hearts and put it on paper. Others were not encouraged to develop their gift—or worse—they were ridiculed.
I surround my writers with support, encouragement, and a willing ear. Life is challenging. Writers draw on pain to create promise. I must ask my writers—is it clear, is it true, is it honest?
I try to work in a way that supports each individual with their unique creative process. One size does not fit all.
Editing vs Coaching
Editing is pretty straightforward.
I read the book (editorial review) and determine how much work needs to be done. I charge by the word.
If the book needs extensive revision or re-working, I prefer to move the client to coaching services that provide more instructive feedback.
Coaching is so individual.
I begin by listening. I try and identify the author’s dream outcome. We discuss the audience, ideal reader, desired impact, and vision.
If needed, I create a detailed blueprint, so they can just go down the list and write each part of each chapter (very useful for business books).
I am a firm believer that with support and guidance, most people can tell their own stories.
My one piece of advice for any writer, hire an editor!
Seriously, hire an editor.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, and Toni Morrison each had long-lasting relationships with an editor who supported them in producing their best work.
The best writers in the world need editors.
Not every editor is meant for every writer. Find someone who makes your work sing.
Editors, like everyone reading your work, bring their own experience to the manuscript. The writer/editor match is a relationship. Successful ones combine skill, respect, and creativity to create magic.
How do you give constructive feedback to a writer?
I respond as needed by my author. I have one author who isn’t happy unless his page is “bleeding” (his words). He always tells me to “make the pages turn red”.
Funny, but he takes suggestions and comments as blessings, so it’s easy to work with him.
Writers who’ve become married to their character, plot, sentence, or word might take a lighter hand.
I make suggestions. I ask, “Does the suggestion ring true for you?”
If it resonates, make a change. If I’ve missed the mark, then pass.
What is your experience working with book publishers and marketing teams?
The most important thing is that the author gets what they want.
- If you want to write a children’s book for you to read to your grandchildren, you don’t need Random House to publish your book.
- If you want to be on Oprah’s Book Club, you probably need to catch the eye of a big publishing house (not exclusively, but it will help).
- If you are an entrepreneur and your customers are local, your money might be best spent on hiring a book marketer to book you at the major local festivals and events, and to get you on every local TV station, radio program, and newspaper.
I work actively with publishers. I try and meet with them so I can make suggestions to my authors that will help them find a good fit.
What I love about Honey House Press is its focus on the experience of the author. Cesca’s mission is to create what is best for her clients.
She has talented writers and editors who help her authors create their best work. Her focus is client-centered, not on how to get the book done fast and make a buck.
I also love that Honey House helps authors with marketing, an element often overlooked by many publishers.
What are your specialties?
I’ve worked with children’s book authors, memoirists, and entrepreneurs writing business books, primarily coaching/teaching, helping fields, and holistic businesses.
I have a few clients writing fiction, poetry, and fantasy.
I would not be the right person to edit a technical or medical book.
Donna Knutson
Write Journeys
Writing Coach | Book Editor
Visit and contact Donna Knutson here.
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