Ooh, Lily, that's exciting! Congrats on getting the next one done, too.
You expect your edit letter back in the new year? That is thrilling! Have you met with your editor yet or will this be your first exposure to them?
I may never meet my editor, since I live in Podunksville, New England, but I did speak with her on the phone back in July, and she was super-nice. I already know what she wants in broad strokes, and there's one significant change that both inspires and daunts me. I've been brainstorming ways to do it; hopefully she has a few ideas, too.
I collaborate in my job, but
I'm used to being the editor and helping writers shape their stories. So this should be interesting.
I've already gotten a taste, since my agent really likes to have editorial input. And that went well; I liked her suggestions.