Skimping out on editing is generally frowned upon, whether you run in traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing circles. But does your book really need a professional editor? You may be surprised to learn that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Here are our thoughts on the matter.
Why Your Book Does Not Need a Professional Editor
Sometimes, there’s no reason for a professional editor. When it is okay to keep editors away from your book?
- You don’t plan to publish. Every book doesn’t need to become a best-seller, and many books don’t need to be published. If you plan to keep your book on your computer or on a stack of notebook paper, there’s no need to pay someone to edit it. Just write your book and enjoy the storytelling process.
- You have thick skin. An unedited book is like blood in the water. As soon as it’s published, all sorts of folks will come after you. They’ll laugh at your characters that smile too much, your improper word capitalization, and your inconsistent point of view. If you thrive on criticism and have thick skin, though, don’t worry about hiring an editor for your book.
- You don’t mind disappointing readers. Readers have expectations. They exchange their hard-earned money for a great story that doesn’t have giant plot holes or an overwhelming number of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. If you don’t care what readers expect or want many readers at all, there’s no need to have your book edited by a pro. Just do your thing!
Reasons Your Book Needs a Professional Editor
There are countless reasons why your book needs a professional editor. In fact, the three reasons we give below are just the tip of the iceberg.
That said, here are a few reasons you should do the right thing and hire an editor to clean up your book’s manuscript.
- You want to become a better writer. When you hire a professional editor, you get an expert’s perspective on your writing. A good editor helps you see your writing in a new way. You’ll see hidden strengths and some of your bad habits. This improved perspective will make you a better writer, which will help when you begin writing your second book.
- You want your book to be the best it can be. You love your book. You’ve edited it a dozen times and had friends and family look it over. Despite this, errors still lurk. To remove as many of them as possible, you need a fresh set of eyes. That’s where an editor comes in. Editors come to your story with fresh eyes, but they bring more than that. They bring expertise. They’re trained to see and correct errors hanging around your prose or poetry.
- You realize the best writers use professional editors. Think of your favorite author. It may be a giant like Louis L’Amour or an independent writer with a small, tight-knit following. Whoever you adore, that writer uses a professional editor. Unless you’re a better writer than your hero, you should probably use an editor.
How to Find an Editor for Your Book
Now that you know you need pro help, it’s time to find an editor. There are lots of ways to hunt one down. You can do a quick Google search, poke around on social media, or use a site like Fiverr or Upwork. Just be sure you know what to expect from a book editor before you get started for the best experience.
Prefer to have someone else handle editing, interior, cover design, and more? Many companies (including our favorite—Argyle Fox Publishing) do just that.
How do you get started with us? Submit your manuscript for consideration. Within a couple weeks, we’ll let you know if your book is a good fit. We’ll even edit a sample of your book if we decide to work together. That way, you can make sure we’re the right choice for your book. Sound like a plan? Take the first step today!