Watch me edit someone else’s book

Six months ago, I got an email from talented writer and YouTuber Anthony Ongaro. We’d known each other for a while, and we’d worked together on his most successful article to date, but this email was different: he was ready to write his first book, and he wanted to know if I was available to edit it.
Was I? Friends, there are certain people I will table everything else to work with, and Anthony is among them. I admire his accessible approach to intentional living, his commitment to realistic minimalism, and his honesty in sharing a journey of entrepreneurship that is full of twists, turns, and mistakes. There was never a question of “if” I was available. It was more like, “Let’s start yesterday!”
We hopped on Skype shortly after that, brainstormed and outlined his book, and set ourselves a manuscript deadline of May 31, 2017. All was looking good.
And then?
Well, like I said, that was six months ago. We haven’t made much progress since, and I need not explain to a group of writers how quickly six months can pass when you’re supposed to be writing a book. (God knows I’ve been writing a book since I could write my name.)
You can relate, I know you can. Deciding to write is entirely separate from actually writing, and the editing? Oh, yeah, that. Ugh.
It can be discouraging to consider the time commitment of a professional process, especially if writing a book is not your full-time salaried position, and especially if you’ve never worked with an editor before. Writing takes time, and editing takes even more. How can you know if it’s worth your time and money?
A couple weeks ago, Anthony and I got on Skype again to talk about what was holding him back as an author, and as it happens, it’s…me. It’s my fault.
I’ve been too nice, Anthony confessed. Too lenient with the deadline, too understanding of all the distractions that can prevent an author from getting started and getting done. He feared that if I kept letting him off the hook, he’d never start, let alone finish.
For shame, Chantel. Guilty as charged. This isn’t a humblebrag. I should’ve done better.
So, here we are. It’s July. Anthony is still ready to write his first book, and he has asked me to be more firm in helping him meet his new goal of a completed manuscript by Labor Day. Together, we’ve brainstormed a solution that challenges both of us, holds us accountable, and…drumroll…invites you into the process. We thought you might like to see, up close and in real time, what it’s actually like to write a book, work with an editor, and transform your ideas into something you can share and sell.
Watch him write, watch me edit
Introducing: Anthony is Writing a Book, a public Google doc that will, for the next 9 weeks, be your real-time peek into what authors and editors do all day. Anthony and I will be your hosts, and starting immediately, we’ll be in the document both together and separately to demonstrate how a first-time author and a determined-not-to-be-so-nice editor navigate the terrain of writing and editing a book, from scratch, on a very tight timeline. You can watch us work live, or you can pop in any time to see how the book is taking shape.
If you’re writing a book, or thinking about doing so, we hope Anthony is Writing a Book will give you a little extra motivation, as well as a front-row look at how one particular book lends itself to being outlined, written, and edited. Our approach may or may not reflect the way you’d do it, but that’s kind of the point. The editing process is highly individual, and should be. What works for one author and one editor on one book might not work for you and your editor and your book, but because action inspires action, and because we’re all obsessed with how other people do the things we want to do…well, here’s how we’re going to do it.
Long-time followers will know that I love the watch-me-write trend, and that I’ve previously shared my enthusiasm for brave authors who’ve gone before, like Silvia Hartmann, Joshua Cohen, Jason Zook, and David Kadavy. Watching someone write a book is my geeky version of reality TV, so being able to now encourage and edit an author-in-progress, in front of an audience, is both an honor and a serious responsibility. Anthony, I promise not to let my excitement about the process get in the way of demanding your very best. We’re going to have a blast, and I’m probably going to be brutal on you. Whee!
Anyway, starting today, we hope you’ll join us over at Anthony is Writing a Book. If you’re so inclined, send Anthony a little encouragement on Twitter, and feel free to contact me with any questions about writing, editing, or whether this is some kind of stunt. I will answer all your questions live in the doc, because did I mention that we have more in there for you than just the manuscript? We do, and you should go check it out. We’re trying to make it a fun place to visit, even though “fun” is a curious word to describe the torture and gnashing of teeth that I have yet to inform Anthony is about to begin.
Editors cannot abide being called too nice.
UPDATE December 27, 2017: Wow, thank you for your continued interest in this project! Anthony Ongaro and I had a lot of fun, and his finished book, Break the Twitch, is now available! Congratulations, Anthony!
The public Google doc we wrote and edited in is now closed, but to keep up with more projects like this, check out my free newsletter, 10 Things for Writers This Week. Every Sunday morning, my subscribers get the best reads and resources for writers delivered right to their inboxes. Want in? Go here to read the archives and sign up.
