Self-publishing School Part 5: Editing

Editing is an extremely vague term that could describe a variety of activities:

• Proofreading
• Rewriting
• Properly formatting reference/bibliography data (non-fiction)
• Fact checking (fiction and non-fiction)
• Stylistic improvements
• Story development

Editing needs can vary greatly depending on the type of book you are writing, the intended audience, your publishing channel, your skills and experience as an author, and your goals. If you've spent any time in the publishing/writing industry, you've probably heard that you can't edit your own work. Most authors who make the attempt do struggle with it, because you can get so close to your manuscript that it's difficult to catch the errors in it. Your brain tends to see what it expects to see rather than what is actually there, and fresh eyes are extremely helpful.

However, I edit all of my own work. This is possible because:

• My books are usually fairly short
• I have a system involving multiple passes of editing (including reading the text backwards one sentence at a time)
• I can't afford an editor
• I'm borderline OCD
• Unlike many self-published authors, I know how to use spell check. This is not an insult or a boast; it's a fact. Self-published works often contain spelling errors that could easily be caught.

In the traditional publishing world, editors are part of the package. Self-published writers, however, need to find their own editors. Proofreading is the most common form of editing, and if your work is well-developed then proofreading is all you should need. A good proofreader shouldn't charge more than a few hundred dollars for an average-length novel, and there are web sites where you can get bids and compare editors before selecting one.

More involved forms of editing, such as content and development, could cost you thousands. If you are feeling insecure about your work but aren't ready to raid your piggy bank, consider sharing the text with friends and family, or join a local writing group. Ask for honest feedback and keep an open mind. As you get close to publication, you can also invite beta or preview readers to provide input.