How to Read Like an Editor: 5 Tips to Make the Most of Every Book You Read

Your Next Draft

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1+ y ago 20:41

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Build a reading habit that helps you edit amazing novels.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
This quote from Stephen King gets shared a lot in writer circles.
But I have a confession: when I became an editor, I fell into a reading slump. Worse, I stayed in the slump for several years. (After all, Stephen King was talking about writers, not editors, right?)
Last year, I read 58 books, nearly three times the books I read the year before. And this year, I’m on track to surpass that again.
So in this episode, I’m sharing all about how to read in a way that benefits your writing and editing.
How did I get out of the reading slump? And how has reading more impacted my editing? It’s all in the episode.
You’ll learn:

5 strategies to use your reading to improve your editing
The mindset shift that transformed how I read
The 4 types of books I recommend you read
How to gamify your reading (and why I’m so fun to watch movies with)
How complicated it used to be to listen to audiobooks (I felt ancient describing this, but it was not that long ago)

Plus, a few years ago, I created a robust reading tracker spreadsheet so I can quickly reference books when I’m editing. Want to steal my reading tracker? Download my "Read Like an Editor" Reading Tracker here.
Let’s be honest: you and I are in the book industry because we love stories.
I hope this episode gives you strategies to leverage your reading in your editing process.
But more than that, I hope it inspires you and helps you reinvigorate your own reading habit.
Happy reading!
Links mentioned in the episode:

Download my “Read Like an Editor” Reading Tracker: alicesudlow.com/reading-tracker

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