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Alyssa Matesic

@alyssamatesic.bsky.social

450 followers 13 following 870 posts

your book editor friend 💪📚 formerly at Penguin Random House and The Book Group 🎥 weekly tips on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@AlyssaMatesic 💌 insider publishing tips: https://www.chapter-break.com ✏️work with me: https://www.alyssamatesic.com

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 12h

I've been a book editor for 10 years. 1,000+ authors and countless manuscripts later, the biggest lessons I’ve learned might surprise you.

Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing.

They might help you take your story to the next level!

Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

Now that you know the four writer types, which one do you fit into? Or are you a blend of them?

Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

Their novels are the ones that you write essays on in school or endlessly debate in book clubs because there's an ethos beyond just entertainment. And their novels are some of the most powerful of all time.

Think of writers like George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Colson Whitehead

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

4️⃣ The Visionary - A theme-driven writer ☁️

These writers use their stories as vessels for big, thought-provoking ideas. For them, characters and plot are tools of delivering a message.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

I call this archetype the psychologist because these writers dive deep into their characters' psyches, exploring their complex emotional landscapes and thorny relationships. Their novels often feel like deep character studies.

Think of writers like Jane Austen, Donna Tartt, and Sally Rooney

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

3️⃣ The Psychologist - A character-driven writer 👯

These writers are obsessed with character above all else. They're driven by the question: who are these people and what makes them tick?

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

Think of writers like Agatha Christie, Stephen King, and James Patterson.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

These authors are obsessed with the story itself and are prolific in their output. They prioritize plot above all else and make their readers eagerly turn the pages all the way to the end and then beg for more. They find a story formula that works and then repeat it over and over again.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

2️⃣ The Plotter - A plot-driven writer ✒️

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

Their goal isn't necessarily to entertain the masses, but to push the bounds of what literature can be.

Think of writers like James Joyce, David Foster Wallace, and Ocean Vuong.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

1️⃣ The Artist - A craft-driven writer 🎨

These writers obsess over form, style, structure, and language. They're often experimental, taking major risks that redefine how we conceptualize a genre or the novel form at large.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

You can discover your writer type based on your answer to one question:

What drives your writing, deep down?

Let's dig into it. ⬇️

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 1d

As a book editor, I have worked with hundreds of writers across almost every fiction genre. One of the most fascinating things I've learned?

Most writers fit into one of four writer types. And no, it's not about plotters or pantsers!

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 2d

An incredibly brave subscriber sent me their first chapter for a live critique.

Here's how I'd edit it, workshopping things like:
-internal conflict
-backstory
-physical description
-relationships

Maybe you'll pick up a tip or two for your WIP! youtu.be/s9gh4Cx4qsQ

Fixing This Author’s First Chapter in 20 Minutes

Your first chapter is your novel's prime real estate. But is yours drawing readers in or pushing them away? Today I'm doing a live workshop on a manuscript f...

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 5d

Writing is leaving pieces of yourself for others to find and connect with, whenever they need it most. ❤️

Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 5d

A reminder for all the writers:

The words you’re putting down today might find the person who needs them tomorrow, next month, or even years from now.

You’re not just writing for yourself (or your agent or your editor). You’re writing for THEM.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

Also remember that any feedback you get on a creative project is going to be inherently subjective, and if the feedback still doesn't resonate with you after carefully considering it, don't implement it. This is YOUR story at the end of the day.

Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

But...those changes are often exactly what your story needs to reach the next level.

Read the feedback once, then sit with it. Let it marinate. Then revisit it and see how it lands the second time. Oftentimes, the path forward will become crystal clear once you've had some time.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

3 - Stay open-minded and let the feedback sit.

If you're getting developmental feedback, sometimes it can hurt. They might suggest revising or rewriting significant parts of the manuscript, which can sting after you've put so much work into it.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

Set clear expectations around what you're looking for. Developmental-level feedback? General impressions? Or help troubleshooting specific scenes?

If what you need is beyond their ability or time constraints, you could consider working with a professional editor.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

2 - Be mindful of what (and how) you're asking.

Be clear, thoughtful, and reasonable in your request. Reading an entire book is an extremely time-consuming effort, so if you're asking someone to do it for free, make sure they have the capacity. Or start by asking for feedback on a chapter or two.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

Make sure you're asking the right person first. Do they read and understand your genre? Do they have an editorial or publishing industry background?

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

1 - Focus on QUALITY, not QUANTITY.

This is the most important feedback tip I can give. You'd much rather have in-depth, insightful feedback from one qualified person than a ton of superficial feedback from people who don't actually understand what you're trying to do or how to evaluate your work.

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 6d

As a book editor, I give feedback day in and day out. But when you have a new draft that's ready for feedback, the next steps can be confusing.

Here are three key tips to ensure you're getting the RIGHT type of feedback that truly elevates your story. 🚀

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Alyssa Matesic @alyssamatesic.bsky.social · 8d

Things writers hate more than anything:
-writer's block
-the synopsis
-comp titles 🤬

If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.

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