How to Choose the Best Self-Publishing Editing Services

Professional editing is crucial for self-publishing authors. But what type of self-publishing editing services do you need? How do you choose the perfect editor for your work? Let’s discuss the ins and outs of hiring a professional editor as an independent author.

Do I need an editor for self-publishing?

Authors who are publishing traditionally have the benefit of in-house editors who help them revise and polish their manuscript. Many literary agents are even editorial, meaning authors may receive help editing their manuscript before ever approaching publishers.

Independent authors, on the other hand, are wholly responsible for their book’s editing process, from start to finish. Even the best self-editors can’t do it alone. (That includes professional editors themselves!) An objective eye, someone who can approach the manuscript from a fresh perspective, is critical to the development of the story and prose.

​So, do you need an editor for self-publishing? In most cases, yes, indie authors should hire a professional editor. Although self-editing is a crucial part of the process and should always be undertaken thoroughly, self-editing is not a replacement for professional editing. It’s simply a different part of the process.

Self-editing is not a replacement for professional editing. It’s simply a different part of the process.Tweet

​What are the most important self-publishing editing services?

Every manuscript is different, so there is no perfect editing process that will fit each and every project. However, based on my years as a professional editor, I can tell you the major types of editing to consider. In my professional opinion, these are the three types of editing that most independent authors should pursue before publication.

Developmental Editing

The first step of any editing process is to address the high-level elements. These include the story’s plot, structure, and setting. High-level editing also looks at characterization, pacing, and certain aspects of the voice. The reason for addressing high-level elements first is that this type of editing often results in broad, sweeping changes to the manuscript. We wouldn’t want to spend time, energy, and money polishing the prose of a chapter just to wind up cutting or rewriting that chapter.

​Professional high-level editing comes in several forms, but the most prevalent and comprehensive is developmental editing. Each editor’s description of this service is unique, so be sure you understand exactly what you’re getting before booking a service. However, for my clients, developmental editing includes a careful reading of the full manuscript, with in-text comments. That means I leave notes in the document as I read, which gives the author more specific feedback about elements that may be too minor to discuss later, along with an idea of my responses as a reader.

I then write up an in-depth edit letter, which is typically about five to seven single-spaced pages and covers aspects including plot, structure, and characterization. I analyze and dig into every high-level aspect of the work and offer suggestions for improvement. I end the edit letter with a proposed action plan that the author can follow to revise and improve the work, and then we spend an hour on an audio or video call to make sure the author understands the feedback, to answer any questions, and to discuss options for implementing the proposed changes.

This is the heavy lifting stage. While working with a developmental editor, you are getting a fresh perspective from someone who knows exactly what to look for and is going to see things that you as the work’s author missed.

See a sample developmental edit letter from Blue Pen.

Line Editing​

After you’ve put in the time and effort to make sure your high-level elements are as good as they can be—my rule for this is to stop when you’re no longer making the story better, only different—it’s time to move on to low-level editing. The first and most intense type of low-level editing is line editing.

Line editing involves changes at the sentence and paragraph levels. A professional line editor will edit for concision, consistency, clarity, and correctness. A good line editor will maintain your work’s voice while improving those elements.

Some issues that a line editor will correct include redundancy, ineffective passive constructions, ambiguous wording, and inconsistent tense and POV usage.

A line editor will also bring your work in line with the relevant style guide. For fiction authors, that’s typically the Chicago Manual of Style. Talk to your line editor about the style guide and type of English (e.g. American, British, Canadian) they’re using before beginning the line edit.

Line editing is crucial for independent authors because it brings the prose up to a professional standard. A good line edit is often the difference between a book that feels “amateur” and one that meets the same standards of quality as a traditionally published book.

​I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Independent authors absolutely can produce books that are just as high quality as trad books—if they have the right tools. Professional editing is undoubtedly one of those tools.

See a sample line edit from Blue Pen.

Proofreading

​Proofreading is the final step in the editing process. An author should only send their work to a proofreader after the manuscript has undergone low-level editing. Proofreading is not meant to correct apparent errors; it is a final check before publication. Proofreading addresses residual errors including typos and punctuation issues.

Compared to developmental and line editing, proofreading is not quite as essential. Technically, a diligent author could probably parse out most of the residual errors, especially if applying a tool such as PerfectIt. But it is so easy for the author of a work to miss minor issues—our brain fills it what it knows should be there. Plus, the cost of proofreading is much lower than the other types of editing, and many editors (myself included) discount this final pass for clients who pursue multiple types of editing.

​The bottom line is that authors who are trying to put out the best book possible should go the extra mile to ensure their book is error free. That means hiring a proofreader.

See a sample of proofreading from Blue Pen.

How to Find an Editor for Self-Publishing

Once you’ve decided on your editing needs, you can begin looking for an editor. A trustworthy editor can also help you nail down the types of editing your book needs, so you can always ask your editor questions and make adjustments to your plan before you begin the process. Here are a few places to look when researching editors.

1. Writer Friends: Asking for recommendations from writer friends is a great first step when searching for an editor. However, keep in mind that the best editor for one author may not be the ideal editor for another. So understand your personal needs and preferences, and factor that in when considering referred editors.

2. Professional Associations: Many professional organizations maintain member directories and allow authors to post job ads. The primary professional associations for editors are the Editorial Freelancers’ Association (US), ACES (US), Editors Canada (Canada), and the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (UK).

3. Social Media: Have you interacted with editors on social media? Are there blogs and YouTube channels that have been strong resources for you? Reaching out to editors you are already familiar with can be a good idea.

Qualities of the Best Editor for Self-Publishing

The qualities of the best editor for your manuscript and career depend largely on your writing and goals. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether you’ve found your perfect editor.

Check out our FAQs to learn how we vet prospective editors for our team at Blue Pen.

Specialities: Make sure the editor provides the services you need and is familiar with your manuscript’s specifics. For example, some editors provide only developmental editing or only proofreading. The editor should work with your age category and genre, and they should be familiar with your type of English and preferred style guide.

Testimonials: Reading testimonials is a quick way to assess the quality of a prospective editor’s services. Most editors provide testimonials on their website. Do the clients seem happy? What words are used often to describe the services and the author-editor relationship? If you found the editor through a referral, you can also talk to your writer friend about their editing experience.

Credentials: Although not the be-all-end-all when it comes to evaluating an editor, you can certainly consider their credentials. Do they have a degree in writing or English? Are they a member of a professional organization? How long have they been editing? These aspects all help paint a picture of the editor’s positioning within the industry.

Rates: This one is crucial. Make sure any prospective editor charges rates that fall near the industry standard. Be particularly wary of editors charging well below industry standards. You wouldn’t leave your car with a mechanic who charges $2 per hour. Don’t leave your manuscript in similar hands. The EFA provides information about industry-standard rates.

Sample Edit: If you’re pursuing low-level editing, you can ask for a sample edit to help you understand what the editor’s work will look like on your manuscript and to make sure you’re on the same page.

Making the Most of Self-Publishing Editing Services

When you hire a professional editor, you’re paying for the improvements to your manuscript, but you are also paying for the experience. To make the most of professional editing, put forth effort to learn and grow in your craft. You should end the professional editing process with both a strong and polished manuscript and new knowledge that you can apply to future projects.

If you’re ready to get started with professional editing for your book, our team is waiting in the wings.