Editing is expensive, so some self-published authors and some small publishers try to cut costs by skipping the editing.
Needless to say that’s a really bad idea.
Why?
After spending months or even years writing a story, you’re too close to it. You’re so familiar with the story that you don’t see its weak spots anymore. You read the story that you THINK you’ve written, not the one you actually wrote. What was clear in your head might not be so clear on the page. No one, not even someone who edits for a living, can view her own story with an objective eye.
So every writer needs feedback from other people. Writing is mostly a solitary activity, but it takes a village to produce a good book.
Having beta readers and critique partners is highly recommended
The first line of defense against mistakes and weaknesses in your manuscript are beta readers and critique partners.
Beta readers are friends, colleagues, or family members who will read the manuscript and give feedback. What worked for them? What didn’t work? Was there anything that didn’t make sense? etc.
Critique partners are similar to beta readers, but they are fellow writers, so they can give more detailed feedback or might even be able to tell you how to fix some problems in your story. You can also learn a lot about writing by critiquing your critique partner’s story in return.
Beta readers and critique partners can be a great sounding board and support system.
Why you need an editor in addition to having beta readers
But most of them aren’t trained professionals, and especially friends and family members might not be totally objective. That’s where editors come in. An experienced editor has worked on hundreds of manuscripts and with many different authors, so they have identified and solved the same problems that haunt your book many times before. They should also know your genre and the market, so they can tell you what your readers will expect from a book like yours and what’s a no-go.
So if you’re planning on self-publishing or if you want to make sure your manuscript is in great shape before you send it to publishers, you need an editor.
Different types of editing and editors
But there are different types of editing and editors, so you need to know what you’re looking for. My next blog post will explain the different types of editing, so make sure you check back or subscribe to my blog so you won’t miss it.
2 Responses
This is great advice! With the many self-publishing options available today, many new writers are choosing to publish on their own. Self-publishing opens doors and gives opportunities to many aspiring writers. However, there have been so many times that I’ve finished a book and thought, “This book had real potential. It’s too bad they didn’t have an editor.”
I agree! There are a lot of books out there that could have been great if only the author invested in a good editor!