Inside Tiller Editing: How Mary K. Built a Thriving Editing Business Without Social Media

This post was adapted from Writing Off Social: The Podcast, Episode 77. You can listen in here!

In Episode 77 of Writing Off Social: The Podcast, co-host Mary K. Tiller steps out from behind the microphone and into the guest chair.

Listeners know Mary K. as the co-founder of Writing Off Social, but in this special episode, she shares about her newest venture: Tiller Editing, a business she’s building entirely without social media. She opens up about how the idea began, the steps she’s taken to make it a reality, and how other writers can take their own next steps, whether that’s hiring an editor or launching a creative business of their own.

The Spark That Started It All

The idea for Tiller Editing began almost two years ago during one of Writing Off Social’s cohort coaching calls. During a discussion about editing, one of the students—a seasoned editor herself—encouraged Mary K. to consider exploring the field.

Though intrigued, she was also hesitant. Editing, she explained, felt like something reserved for experts. “I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t know how a beginner could step into such an expert role,” she said.

After a period of prayer, Mary K. sensed God inviting her to move forward one small step at a time. Over the next six months, she did just that: researching, learning, and exploring what it might look like to become an editor. That summer, she enrolled in The Christian PEN’s course, Establishing Your Freelance Business, which provided both direction and confidence.

She has continued learning ever since, taking courses, reading extensively, and interning under the same student who first encouraged her: Megan Connor.

Learning from a Mentor

Megan Connor, a professional editor and writer with more than 75 books to her name, has been an important influence on Mary K.’s journey. With decades of experience in educational publishing and nonfiction editing, Megan provided both training and mentorship.

“Working alongside Megan has been an incredible joy,” Mary K. said. “She has a servant’s heart and a brilliant mind, and I’ve been lucky to learn from her.”

Under Megan’s guidance, Mary K. gained hands-on experience with real manuscripts and clients, eventually leading her to officially launch Tiller Editing in October 2025.

What Tiller Editing Offers

As Mary K. explored the editing world, she quickly discovered there are multiple layers of editing, each serving a distinct purpose in the publishing process:

• Developmental Editing: Also known as content or structural editing, this focuses on the big picture: audience, message, structure, and flow.
  
• Line Editing: Concentrates on style, rhythm, voice, and readability.
  
• Copyediting: Refines grammar, punctuation, spelling, and factual accuracy.
  
• Proofreading: The final polish before publication.
  

Mary K. was drawn most strongly to developmental editing because of how well it aligns with her natural strengths and strategic mindset.

“I love taking a 10,000-foot view of a manuscript,” she explained. “I enjoy helping writers shape the foundation, their audience, their message, and their flow.”

She compares the process to home construction: “Paying a developmental editor is a bit like paying for the guy who frames your house. When we were building our home, I met our contractor and his framing guy, and we walked upstairs to our game room. The way the architect had written our plans, the stairs did a strange zig-zag thing at the landing that created a narrow hallway, and took up a ton of space in the upstairs playroom. As we walked the space, the framer showed me one or two tweaks he could make to the plans that would straighten out the stairs, eliminate the hallway, and give us 200+ more square feet upstairs. I was thrilled!”

No one who comes to her house would ever notice anything about their stairs or their playroom. They have no idea what a mess it would have been. But every time Mary K. climbs those stairs or hangs out in that room, she thinks about that framer and the huge difference he made to that space.

A good developmental editor is a lot like that. Your reader will never put down the book and say, “Wow! That book had an incredible structure and flow!” but they might say, “Wow…that book was all over the place.” 

Currently, Tiller Editing offers:

• Developmental Coaching: guiding authors through their book’s concept and structure before drafting begins.
  
• Manuscript Evaluations: providing editorial letters with feedback, recommendations, and a revision plan.
  
• Developmental Editing: hands-on restructuring and rewriting at the content level.
  
• Line and Copy Editing: refining grammar, tone, and style for clarity and consistency.
  

Why Editing and Why Now

For many authors, editing is a natural next step in their writing careers. Mary K. is no exception.

“Being an editor makes you a better writer, and being a writer makes you a better editor,” she said.

She cited three main reasons for pursuing editing:

1. It fits her wiring. The big-picture thinking required for developmental editing aligns with the skills she’s already honed through coaching and writing.
   
2. She loves the writing community. “Writers are my people,” she said. “I love spending time with them, learning from them, and helping them bring their ideas to life.”
   
3. It provides a sustainable income path. As her children grow older, Mary K. hopes to contribute financially to her family in a way that remains flexible and purpose-driven.
   

“My goal is to build a business that allows me to do meaningful work without ever having to return to a traditional 9-to-5,” she said.

Growing a Business Without Social Media

In keeping with the ethos of Writing Off Social, Mary K. is growing her new business completely off social media.

Her strategy includes podcast guesting, Substack features, SEO, speaking opportunities, local writing groups, and—most importantly—word of mouth.

Her business philosophy is simple: Be a darn good editor that writers can’t help but tell their friends about.

For Writers Seeking an Editor

Writers interested in working with Mary K. can learn more at TillerEditing.com or subscribe to her Substack newsletter at tillerandink.substack.com (launching November 4).

She also offers a free manuscript review for new clients, which allows authors to submit 2–3 chapters for an initial assessment. Mary K. then provides a brief overview of what’s working, what needs attention, and what level of editing would best serve the project.

For Aspiring Editors

For those considering a similar path, Mary K. recommends starting by joining an editing community and exploring the field.

She points to The Christian PEN, The Editorial Freelancers Association, and ACES: The Society for Editing as excellent places to begin.

“Just dip your toe in and start learning,” she advised. “You never know where it might lead.”

Final Encouragement

As the conversation concluded, Mary K. reflected on the importance of paying attention to both one’s gifts and the affirmations of others.

“I never would have considered editing if several friends—Sandy chief among them—hadn’t told me I had a knack for it,” she said. “Once I saw how it fit with the way God designed me, so much of my fear fell away.”

Her closing encouragement was directed toward other Christian writers discerning their next steps:

“You are a multifaceted, multitalented child of God. You have so much to offer the world. There are so many writing-adjacent skills, like editing, that can become both ministry and livelihood. Pray about the gifts He’s given you and lean into the paths He opens. You never know what He’ll inspire you to create next.”

This post was reformatted from our original transcript by ChatGPT and edited for accuracy by Mary K.