Finding the Right Editor for my Memoir
By Hadiatou Wann | 01/10/23
One of the most important things in the publishing journey is finding the right editor. As the saying goes, “Your book is like your baby.” As a writer, I want to make sure that I am handing my baby (my work) over to the right person to nurture it and groom it well. Although an editor is hired to enhance the work of a writer, I always make sure that my voice and writing style are not diminished when I hand it over to my editor.
Before I began the process of finding an editor, I made dua (supplication), asking Allah (God) to help me find the right editor for this project. Since I am Muslim, I already had an idea how other Muslims might perceive my work. So, when I was looking for someone to edit my memoir “Modest in the West: An Untainted Journey of Wearing Hijab,” it was important for me to hire a non-Muslim, given that I intentionally wrote this memoir for Muslims and non-Muslims. I wanted the non-Muslim editor to be able to inform me if I needed to make some clarifications. Because if the non-Muslim editor didn’t understand what I was saying, most likely other non-Muslims wouldn’t.
Given that my book is focused on spirituality/religion, I was afraid that I would not find an editor interested in working with me just in time for publication date. All of the editors I pitched and sent a sample of my manuscript to were non-Muslims. Some of them, declined because it was not their area of interest. Other editors were looking forward to working with me but the fee they required was way out of my budget. So, I declined. Two editors accepted to work with me, and at the last minute came up with an excuse of no longer being available to work on the project.
I got worried, because the publication date was approaching, and I did not find the right editor. But I realized that I already asked Allah to help me find the right editor for this project. If I still didn’t find the right one, most likely it was Allah canceling out all the editors that were not the right fit for me. I made dua again, and just in time, Allah answered my prayer.
When I reached out to my editor and explained to her my intention for writing this book, her response was positive. My editor, Marni, wrote: “Hi, Hadiatou, thank you for reaching out, I would be happy to help. Your memoir is incredibly relevant, especially now, as non-Muslims certainly need more insight on the motivation, meaning, and purpose of wearing the hijab. I am confident it will go a long way in helping in that area.”
This editor was friendly, open-minded, honest and charged me a fee that I was pleased with. When she edited my manuscript, at the end of each chapter she summarized what she learned from it as well as gave me some feedback. This let me know that she didn’t skim through my work and charge me a fee. She actually took the time to connect with my work.
Throughout the 12 chapters, my copy editor took a close look at my grammar, phrasing, syntax, repeats, tone, and execution. When she finished editing my work, she wrote me: “Here you go! This was amazing. I loved every chapter :) Please let me know if you have any questions.”
Coming from a non-Muslim, her statement meant the world to me! I knew that I accomplished my goal, which was to write in a way that clearly and authentically explained to Muslims and non-Muslims the personal and professional struggles of wearing the hijab in a non-Muslim country.