Look out, Arrowheads. It’s looking like a new novel from yours truly will be hitting shelves later this year (Lord willing!) and I’m so excited to share it with you!

But, until then, a couple more Editing Diaries featuring On the Flip Side should be heading your way. For now, let me share with you how the roughest part of editing, the infamous Word Search Edit, has gone over the last few months.

If you would like to recap on the previous Editing Diaries entries for On the Flip Side, you can read them here:

• Editing Diaries: On the Flip Side (Episode 1)
• Editing Diaries: On the Flip Side (Episode 2)
• Editing Diaries: On the Flip Side (Episode 3)
• Editing Diaries: On the Flip Side (Episode 4)
• Editing Diaries: On the Flip Side (Episode 5)

The Time-Consuming Word Search Edit (The Last Day of February 2026 – *Hopefully* The Last Day of May 2026)

As I mentioned in my last Editing Diaries entry, I started the Word Search Edit for On the Flip Side on February 28th. Because this edit, where I weed out a list of 100+ crutch words and search for common typos/misspellings, is massive, it’s taken me all of March, April, and May to go through.

Thankfully, glory be to God, it’s almost over! 😀

As of the day I’m writing this post (May 26th), I’m 93% through the list and am praying I can finish this round by the last day of the month.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve gone through the most repetitive crutch words I use (“that” and “it”), which both occurred over 800 times in the manuscript, so unlike the last time I went through this with The Dream, I didn’t leave the worst ones for last. XD

The remaining words on the list occur anywhere from 180 – 400+ times in the book, so I’m thinking I’ll be able to accomplish my goal if I make sure to sit down and edit after work this week. Once this editing round is complete, I’ll ask my author bestie if she’s available to be my alpha reader and will implement her feedback on the manuscript if she has time to read it before I send it to my editor.

What’s Next for On the Flip Side?

I’m super excited for what’s to come in July! I’ve booked both my cover designer and editor for that month, and I’m heavily anticipating working with both. For this project, I’ve booked a new-to-me cover designer and editor, though my editor has previously read The Ballad of Emery Brooks trilogy. There was nothing wrong with my previous cover designer or editor, but they are both in different seasons of life now (both in good ways!). I wish them the best in their new endeavors.

Once I receive the cover and implement the final edits, ARCS should be available soon after that. Be on the lookout for an announcement concerning joining my ARC team around August or early September!

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

Last week, I also wrote a very rough blurb for On the Flip Side. Once I’m satisfied with it, I’ll share it here soon.

If you’re a writer, how do you tackle crutch words in your manuscript? Do you have any tips you’d like to share?

If you’re a reader, I can’t wait for you to meet Katie and Kennedy. Do you have any questions for me about the book? If so, feel free to drop them in the comments!

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀