What is an Editorial Letter?

Let’s talk about ✨editorial letters✨

It’s come to my attention that not many know what an editorial letter is, so I thought I’d give y’all some insight to what they are because editorial letters are something all editors—whether self or traditionally publish—send to authors. Though, it can depend on the service a writer has requested.

So let’s delve in!

An editorial letter is a 10-30 page evaluation of a manuscript that highlights questions and concerns that an editor had in relation to the content of a manuscript. It touches on pacing, characterization, writing techniques that need to be applied (show, don’t tell and using active voice instead of passive voice), plot holes, whether a reader would be able to follow/understand things on the page. An editorial letter focuses on the content of a manuscript and allows an editor to provide professional feedback that will help a manuscript overall.

In my letters, I also provide some of the tools to help a writer navigate the revisions I think are necessary. Using “show, don’t tell” as an example, I give every detail possible about the importance of the technique as well as a list of ways a writer can use it in their writing since it is such an important rule.

An editorial letter is supposed to be separate from the inline comments editors leave throughout your manuscript. It’s meant to be a resource a writer can refer to during the editing process because the letter can delve into the overall manuscript and provide the tools necessary to make revisions before publication.

I hope all of that makes sense and clears up editorial letters for some of you! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments ✨

Xo,
Ashley