# Editor-Writer Handoff Note

Transfer editorial rationale, accepted changes, preserved strengths, unresolved decisions, source questions, priorities, owners, and next actions without ambiguity.

## Usage note

Write the handoff for the exact draft version and link tracked changes rather than restating every edit. Separate required decisions from suggestions and identify who has authority. Do not hide unresolved factual, specialist, or policy concerns behind the label “editorial complete.”

## How to use this template

1. Record the exact version, brief, review stage, editor, writer, and deadline.
2. Summarize the outcome, top priorities, rationale, and strengths that must survive revision.
3. Group accepted changes, writer decisions, factual queries, specialist issues, and optional suggestions separately.
4. Assign owners, dates, dependencies, and acceptance evidence for every open action.
5. Agree on the return format, resolve disputes, and update the note when the next version changes hands.

## Blank template

### Handoff identity

- **Project and draft:** [Title]
- **Reviewed version:** [File, URL, or commit]
- **Brief:** [Link]
- **Review stage:** [Structure / Line / Copy / Final]
- **Editor:** [Name]
- **Writer:** [Name]
- **Handoff date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]
- **Return deadline:** [YYYY-MM-DD]

### Editorial summary

- **Reader task:** [What the draft must enable]
- **Overall status:** [On track / Substantial revision / Blocked]
- **Priority 1:** [Issue, reason, and locations]
- **Priority 2:** [Issue, reason, and locations]
- **Priority 3:** [Issue, reason, and locations]
- **Strength to preserve:** [Specific evidence, example, structure, or voice]
- **Structural change made:** [What moved and why]

### Open action

- **Action ID:** [Identifier]
- **Status type:** [Required / Writer decision / Source query / Specialist / Optional]
- **Location:** [Heading or comment]
- **Decision needed:** [Specific question or change]
- **Reason:** [Reader, fact, brief, or policy]
- **Owner:** [Person or role]
- **Due date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]
- **Acceptance evidence:** [How resolved]
- [ ] Superseded comments are marked closed.
- [ ] Meaning-changing edits are visible to the writer.

### Return and signoff

- **Writer returns:** [File, query responses, source list, or another]
- **Next pass:** [Reviewer and scope]
- **Outside scope:** [Checks still required]
- **Disagreement path:** [Decision owner]
- **Writer response:** [Accepted, questioned, or completed]
- **New version:** [Identifier]
- **Handoff closed by:** [Name and date]