Way back in the beginning of this book, there's a chapter called "Before You Publish: Write a Great Manuscript." Every step in that chapter applies to those who plan to self publish every bit as much as those who want to traditionally publish.

Go back and re-read it. I'll wait.

--whistles--

Back? Good. Let's talk about editing. There was a lot of feedback, revision, and editing listed in those steps. There is 100% truth to the statement that "Writing is rewriting."

Traditionally published writers are lucky. They get professional editing for "free" from their agent and publisher. Self published don't. They have to self edit, ask friends and family for help, and pay professionals.

No matter how good a writer is at editing, if he wants to self publish, he needs to arrange for a set of trained eyes to make at least one pass of his manuscript.

Types of editing

When you set out to "hire an editor," it's critical that you know what kind of editor you're looking for and that you bring in a professional at the right time. There are three types of editing:

1. Developmental or content editing evaluates the structure, plot, character arcs, and pacing. It focuses on the STORY and the craft. A developmental editor might be brought in after the first draft is complete. Note that a developmental editor won't do the work for you. He will make suggestions, and it will be up to you to figure out how to make them work.

2. Line editing focuses on the words and sentences and paragraphs. Line editing smooths the rough spots in the language. This what most people think of when they think of "editing." Bring in a line editor when you've finished revising and self-editing, and you're working on the final draft. Don't bring in a line editor when the content is still changing.

Like developmental editors, line editors shouldn't do the work for you. They should be making suggestions using comments and tracked changes in Word (or using a good old-fashioned red pen). It's up to you to determine which changes to accept and which to ignore. Do NOT turn your work over to someone else, and let them make changes to it. This is YOUR work.

3. Copy editing is primarily spelling and grammar. It's not content, and it's not a rewrite. It just tries to catch the mistakes on the page. Copy editing is the final pass before publication. It's useless to have a copy editor go through your work when you're still making changes of any kind. Copy editors should use track changes in Word, but these are the types of changes that should be almost universally accepted.

Cost

The cost of editing can vary from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Professional editors can charge by the word, by the page, or by the hour. The amount they charge varies depending on where they live and their experience.

Developmental editing is the most expensive, because it requires a more specialized knowledge and a lot of time. Line editing is also extremely time intensive and therefore relatively expensive. Copy editing is typically the least expensive. It's also the type of editing you can sometimes get parents, teachers, or other "educated amateurs" to help with -- sometimes for free.

Finding an editor

The best way to find an editor is to interview freelance editors. Freelance editors will be able to provide examples and references. You can ask the editor about where and how he learned his craft and what experience he has doing the type of editing you want.

A terrific resource for talented, proven freelance editors of all kinds is Reedsy. (https://reedsy.com) There are other companies that offer editing packages to self publishers, but I would recommend avoiding those. They are easy, yes, but they tend to be horrendously overpriced, and the quality varies. You don't know the experience level of the person editing your work. You could get exactly what was advertised, or you could get utter crap.

But... I don't have any money

It's a fact of life that most people under 18 don't have hundreds, much less thousands, of dollars to spend on editing. So what are your options?

1. Self editing. There is no way around it: being a writer means learning how to self edit. Being able to revise and edit is as much a part of writing as composing sentences and crafting character arcs.

How do you learn to self edit?

--Actively work on your craft. If you have weaknesses in your grammar or some specific aspect of craft, FIX THEM. Don't complain that you can't or it's hard or you don't know how. Identify the problem, bookmark a page that explains how to do it right, and spend a month learning the rules inside and out. Don't quit until you've fixed that issue in your manuscript and can do it correctly in your sleep.

--Take advantage of tools like Pro Writing Aid (https://prowritingaid.com/) and books like Self Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King. Google is your friend. There are lots and lots and lots of resources available to advise you on what to look for as you self-edit your work.

--Critique other people's work. A site like Critique Circle (http://www.critiquecircle.com) is fabulous for practicing your critiquing skills. Don't just read and critique stories -- read the critiques other people write. Study them. Compare good ones and bad ones.

2. An "educated amateur" -- friends, family, and teachers. Many people know someone who loves grammar and can't pass a mistake in a sign on the street without pointing it out. This person might be willing to proofread your work for you. They might even be capable of a little bit of line editing.

Note that the definition of "educated amateur" isn't "anyone who offers to help." Not everyone knows grammar and spelling well enough to copy edit, and only the rare few know enough to line edit effectively. Be selective.

3. Wattpad editors. There are MANY people advertising as editors on Wattpad. Some of them are quite skilled. Some... aren't. I've seen "editors" on Wattpad giving VERY bad, utterly incorrect advice.

How can you determine if a Wattpad editor is worth checking out?

First, read the books they've written and posted on their profile. If they are full of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, that's a HUGE red flag. 

Second, ask for a one-page sample edit. Give the edited page and the unedited page to someone who truly knows what to look for. Let that person tell you whether the editor will help or hurt you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, editing can make or break a book. Readers get frustrated by poor editing -- and they're not afraid to give poorly-edited books scathing one-star reviews.

The writers of these books get angry and claim that the reviews are unfair because they don't focus on the STORY. Understand, though, that few readers will get past grammatical mistakes, typos, and poor writing to find the story underneath. It's just too much work. Your job as author is not only to provide a great story, but to make it fun and easy to read.

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Did this chapter answer a question you had? It would be great if you would press that little star graphic in the top right corner. If not, just carry on reading and vote for one you find more helpful. Oh, I'd be happy to answer your questions in the comments below, as well. --XG