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Although I have been doing empathetic editing since the 1990s, I only recently realised most of my professional editor colleagues and I practise what is called “empathetic editing”. The below description of empathetic editing applies particularly to developmental or structural editing, but also to the whole editing process.

What is editing? Does it have to be empathetic?

Professional editing is not just “fixing” the errors or “tidying” up a piece of writing. Editing is necessarily holistic, relationship-based and empathetic.

Editing is nurturing and preserving the writer’s voice and message. The editor’s goal is to “make the writer’s writing sing” – in their unique, original voice – while providing them with feedback or suggestions to ensure what they are trying to say is clearly relayed to the reader.

Empathetic editing can only be done by a human. AI or any large language model can create a superficial copy of humans’  feelings or content or style. But AI cannot establish a relationship, be empathetic or nurture a writer’s talent and skills. Only a human editor can do that.

For descriptions of different types of editing, go to: editing; developmental editing; rough copy edit; final copy edit; proofreading the “final press proof”.

Professional editors are empathetic editors

The professional editor is a partner, who works with the writer – not for them.

• They establish a relationship with the writer and communicates via voice or F2F (videocall or in-person) as well as via emails. They get to know the person behind the page and can thus help the writer’s voice come through clearly.
• They focus on what the writer is trying to achieve to a particular audience, and nurture and guide the writer so they can achieve that.
• They are able to see the whole picture of the content and give feedback, suggestions and guidance in that context.
• Through discussions with the writer they gain a nuanced understanding of the writer’s aims in that particular piece of writing, for that particular audience, so can give the writer the best advice and guidance.

Thus the editor is able to give the best advice and support to the writer, and help them achieve their goals.

Ackowledgement of authors, and more info via links

The above article is partly based on what I learned at a July 2026 workshop run by Jonathan Hahn about empathetic editing in the digital age. Jonathan’s presentation and workshop revealed to me not how to be an empathetic editor, because I already was one, but that what I have been doing all this time has a name: “empathetic editing”.

This article also draws from the insights gained by reading articles written by editors Sam Wilschke, Davina Bhanabhai, Lesley-Anne Longo, Chelene Knight, and On The Block, and through my own 30 years’ experience in working with storytellers and authors, and editing books.

BTW: The word “empathy” first appeared in the English language in 1909. I was unable to find out who coined the term “empathetic editing” or when it was first used.