Do I really need an editor?

You’ve written a book that you love, and now you want to get it published. All that stands in your way is one or two or six rounds of editing. You thought about hiring an editor, but that seems expensive—and nerve-wracking. Do you really need one? Can’t you just get that feedback somewhere else?

A professional editor is a worthwhile investment: When a book is well-written and properly edited, readers are more likely to read the whole thing, leave a positive review, recommend it to their friends, and check out your other books. Every spelling mistake or awkward sentence is an excuse to put the book away. Don’t give them an excuse.

Good editors are advocates for your readers. They will help you provide an enjoyable and barrier-free reading experience. Even if you are only publishing for fun, your readers deserve that.

Can my beta readers edit my book?

Beta readers, alpha readers, and critique partners are fantastic resources, and I always encourage authors to use them before hiring a professional editor. But their role is not the same as an editor’s. They provide feedback from the perspective of a reader or writer. They’re often influenced by their personal opinions: what they do or don’t like to read and how they would write your book differently. This can be valuable information, but it’s not the same as editing.

Your beta readers might be talented writers, voracious readers, and master grammarians, but they probably don’t have the training and experience of a professional editor. Unless they’re armed with a style guide, usage guide, dictionary, style sheet, timeline, outline, and character list … they’re not doing the same job as a copy editor. (And if they are, you should probably be paying them like one!)

Can my friends and family edit my book?

Sending your manuscript to friends and family is a good way to see how readers will respond emotionally to the story. Remember, though, that editing a book is a big job—not a small favour! Like beta readers, they may not have the skills or knowledge to provide meaningful feedback.

Your family probably doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, either. They might focus on the things they loved and leave out any criticism. This is great for motivation, but it won’t help you edit your book. An editor knows how to be kind and respectful while still asking the tough questions to make your story stronger.

Can artificial intelligence edit my book?

Some people say yes, but you probably shouldn’t listen to them. AI is not a sufficient replacement for a professional editor—and not only because it’s often wrong. It will not approach your story with the same care, nuance, and respect as a human.

Editing a book requires more than catching and correcting mistakes. (AI even struggles with that, sometimes.) Something as simple as adding a comma requires a lot of consideration: Does it improve the sentence? Does it help the reader? Does it serve the story?

An editor will strengthen your book without stripping away the voice and emotions that make it yours.

Can my agent and publisher edit my book?

If you plan to traditionally publish your book, you will likely get feedback from your agent and publisher. They may also provide an editor. But it’s becoming less common for publishers to hire in-house or freelance editors at every stage. They’re more likely to choose books that are already polished and saleable, rather than investing the time and money to polish a book themselves.

Hiring an editor before you query is also helpful, especially if you’re not a confident self-editor. Agents receive countless submissions, so you want your book to be as strong as possible when it lands on their desk. Anything from a bland protagonist to a few grammatical errors can be the deciding factor between your manuscript and someone else’s.

Can I edit my book myself?

Yes! Every author can and should edit their own books. Not only will it make your book better, but it will also sharpen your skills for future projects.

It’s still useful to work with an editor, though. You might find it hard to be objective about your book. That side character or turn of phrase that you really, really love may actually be weakening the story. Things that seem clear to you as the author aren’t always clear to readers. And when you’ve spent so long working on something, you often become blind to little mistakes or clumsy sentences.

Remember that writing and editing are two different skills. Just because you’re a fabulous writer (and you are!) doesn’t mean editing will be a walk in the park. There are plenty of resources out there to help you improve—the world has an endless wealth of books, blogs, videos, online courses, and more. But it’s hard to write a book, and it’s also hard to edit one. If you want someone to support you, encourage you, and cheer you on, find an editor!