So, you’ve written a book. First of all — congrats! Seriously. Whether it’s your first or your fifth, finishing a draft is a big deal. You’ve poured your thoughts, energy, and time into something real. And now you’re staring at those pages thinking, “Okay… now what?”
Most authors reach this very moment — the “editing phase” — and are stuck. Do you edit everything yourself and go back through it? Do you send it out to a friend for feedback? Or do you just publish it and hope it turns out right?
Here’s the secret no one shares with you early on:
- You shouldn’t edit your book by yourself.
- And you don’t necessarily have to.
Let’s discuss who you might want to hire instead — and why it can mean the difference between a book that gets glossed over and one that actually lingers with readers.
Why Self-Editing Isn’t Enough
Okay, self-editing is helpful. Reading your manuscript out loud, correcting spelling mistakes, and strengthening a few clunky sentences — good stuff. But self-editing only goes so far.
- You’re too close to your own work. You know what you were trying to say, so your head fills in the blanks even when the words on the page don’t quite land.
- You may miss structural problems. Is the pace correct? Is there anything that’s boggy? Is your argument or narrative thread easy to follow? These are difficult things to spot on the inside.
- Spelling and grammar tools only catch so much. And they definitely don’t fix tone, clarity, or flow.
- Even the best writers don’t go it alone. Stephen King has an editor. So does Brené Brown. So does almost every author you’ve ever read.
So, Why Should You Hire Instead?
There are a few different kinds of editors, and each one plays a different role in helping your book go from “decent draft” to “wow”, this one is solid.
1. Developmental Editor (The Big-Picture Thinker)
- They assist with structure, flow, and clarity.
- If you’ve written a novel, they’ll assist with plot, pacing, character development, and theme.
- If it’s nonfiction, they’ll assist you in ensuring your ideas are clear, organized, and compelling.
Essentially, they assist in shaping the book on a big picture level — before you concern yourself with commas and word choice.
2. Line Editor (The Sentence Stylist)
Line editors move line by line, paragraph by paragraph, and assist in refining your writing. They’ll correct awkward phrasing, streamline clunky sentences, and ensure that your voice remains consistent.
They’re both a writing coach and editor in one.
- Proofreader (The Final Eyes)
This is the final step before publication. Proofreaders spot the little things — omissions that lead to typos, duplicate words, small formatting mistakes. They ensure the book is pristine before it hits the streets.
Do You Really Need All of Them?
Not necessarily. If you’re on a tight budget, you may opt for one or two.
- If your manuscript is crude and you’re unsure whether or not the structure holds up → hire a affordable book editor
- If you like what you have there in terms of structure but require assistance with sharpening the writing → hire a line editor or copy editor.
- If all’s well and you simply want the finishing touches → hire a proofreader.
There are even some freelance editors who merge services or provide bespoke packages based on what you need.
How to Find the Right Editor
This is where it gets serious: not every editor is created equal. You need someone who knows your genre, your tone, and what you want to do with the book.
- Ask for samples. Most editors will provide a sample edit of a few pages so you can get a sense of how they work.
- Verify their background. Do they specialize in books like yours? What do previous clients have to say about them?
- Interview them. A five-minute Zoom conversation or email Q&A session can reveal a lot. You want someone who “speaks your language” and understands your project.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Go It Alone
You’ve already completed the difficult part — you wrote the book.
Now give it the care it deserves by having it professionally edited. Don’t attempt to do it all yourself. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to tweak every sentence. Not only will they strengthen your book — they’ll make the whole experience feel much less isolating. Your future readers (and your future self) will be grateful.
