I Don't Know if the Project is "Good"

Welcome to TEA Delivered, the newsletter of The Editorial Ally (TEA)!

Especially when I am the first person to read a manuscript, authors sometimes ask me to tell them if it’s a “good” project. In these cases, I am always straightforward and direct in my answer: I don’t know.

When an author asks me if they have a “good” project, they want to know if the manuscript (book or article) will be impactful in the field. Only a subject-area expert can answer that question, and frankly, if you sat five such experts down in a room, they might not all express the same opinion. (This is one reason peer review and grant applications can be confusing and frustrating!)

As a developmental editor, my job is to assess the writing. Is the argument expressed clearly? Is the author’s voice strong? Does the evidence support the argument effectively? Does the structure follow and reinforce the argument? Is the size of the argument proportional to the length of the manuscript? You get the idea.

If you are working on a new project and you want to find out if it’s a “good” one, then I encourage you to leverage your professional network. Ask a colleague who works in your field or a mentor to read a draft and give you comments. Or ask to meet over coffee (on Zoom or in real life) to discuss your argument and the direction of your research. I also suggest that authors with new material consider applying to present at conferences, where you will hopefully (likely) receive useful feedback.

Once you’ve decided that you have something to say, I am here to help you say it as clearly and compellingly as possible. Together we can make sure that your ideas shine.

Keep writing (and revising!)—

Katherine

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