It’s a common confusion, and an understandable one. Editors and coaches both work with writers, both offer feedback, and both are concerned with the quality of your writing. But they’re not the same—and the difference matters.
An editor comes in at a specific stage of the process. Their role is often to refine, to correct, to shape. Depending on the kind of edit, they may be fixing grammar, tightening structure, questioning logic, or trimming flab. It’s surgical work. Precise, technical, and usually applied to a manuscript that’s already finished—or close to it.
There are different flavours of editor, but they all have that one thing in common—their work starts when the drafting is done.
A writing coach, on the other hand, comes in while the work is still breathing. The draft may be messy. It may not even exist yet. Coaching is less about the manuscript, and more about the writer.
A good writing coach helps you see what’s working and why. They help you push through stuck points, identify patterns in your process, and get clearer about your goals. They don’t rewrite your paragraphs. They help you write them better. They’re not there to tidy your manuscript—they’re there to guide your thinking, challenge your habits, and support your growth.
In simple terms: an editor works on your writing. A coach works with you as a writer.
Both roles are valuable. But they serve different needs—and at different stages of the journey.