Hi Reader,
The time has finally come: the Your Next Draft podcast is back!
And today’s episode is one I’m really excited to share with you. It’s a bit like a manifesto. A declaration of my editing ethos. The way I’m approaching my editing in 2025—and the way I invite you to approach yours, as well.
I’m also, honestly, a little nervous to share it with you. It’s ruffled feathers when I’ve shared it with writers one-on-one. So I expect this episode to be a bit . . . controversial.
Here’s the thing:
Wouldn’t you like to be done with your book soon? To get your book published soon? To share it with readers soon? To finally finish this enormous project (and move on to the next one!) soon?
Soon is really tempting. We’d all like to be done quickly!
And you absolutely can. If your goal is to get your book published this year, there’s nothing stopping you.
But I believe that if you rush the revision process and race to the end, that published book won’t leave you creatively fulfilled.
You’ll flip the pages and know . . . there’s more you could still fix.
You’ll skim the lines and cringe, just a little.
You’ll picture your glorious story, vivid in your imagination, and wonder what your readers will miss because you couldn’t quite capture it on the page.
The book world is filled with services promising to help you finish your book fast. If your dream is to hold your book in your hands this year, there are tons of people out there who can help you make that happen.
But after years of helping writers who seek to craft their very best books, the ones they’re truly proud of, I’ve found that speed is not what you need to get there.
In this, the first brand-new episode of 2025, I’ll show you:
- What the true work of revising a novel really is,
- Why trying to speed through it will actually hold you back,
- And what to do instead—so that when you finish, the book you share with the world is one you’re immeasurably proud of.
Read or listen to The Unskippable Process to Create Unputdownable Books »
It’s not the popular path. But it’s the only path I know to craft the books you’re truly capable of writing.
Happy editing,
Alice
P.S. Starting a new story? Or just want to start your writing year off right? Savannah Gilbo’s Kickstart Your Story Challenge is about to start!
In the challenge, you'll develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea: a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart.
PLUS, you’ll walk away with two really important things: a working logline (that’s a 1–2 sentence summary of your entire story) and a realistic plan for how you’ll write your first draft.
The challenge is LIVE, and registration ends tonight. So be sure to join now before the doors close!
Click here to get your ticket to Savannah’s 3-day challenge »