Some Cannot Live Without an Editor

It’s me…Hi! I’m the some that I’m talking about there. (Did the Taylor Swift song start in your head, too?)

When I decided that I was ready to take the leap into indie publishing, I knew the first thing I would need to do is reach out to a trusted editor. In my case, I had worked with my editor before, so it was important to check in with her to see if this was something she was wanting to take on. Since my book is a duology (two books), I knew that it would take a bit of commitment on her part, even if I was a paying party. Especially if I wanted to remain in somewhat of a time frame.

Now, if you aren’t as lucky as I am to have an editor already, this is something I would definitely research and take the time looking into. Just like when you find a critique partner, beta, or alpha readers, you need to make sure that, not only are they going to make your book better, but they are giving the type of feedback that works for you. It’s not a cheap venture to hire an editor. So do your research, chat with other writer friends who have had experience with an editor, and reach out. Start small before you jump in sending your entire manuscript.

The reason I checked in with my editor first is to have a chat regarding my timeline, what I was looking for, and what I had planned thus far including readers and outside feedback. This all plays in line with attempting to create a schedule that’s realistic for myself and for her to read through. Since she has other responsibilities, I wanted to give her ample turn around time, but also give myself the flexibility since this was also my first book I’d be publishing.

Now, I know that a lot of times people jump to conclusions that self-publishing doesn’t require an editor. I’m not one to say that it is a necessity for everyone. For some, they have better knowledge to edit and revise their own work. For myself, I know how I am with pesky line edits, and goodness knows I have been too close to this story long enough to admit that I don’t realize the plot holes even exist. Therefore, I knew I had to put the cost aside to work with an editor. I want to put my best work out there, and professional eyes that a good editor can offer is something I couldn’t turn down.

Plus, let’s be honest, it’s kind of fun to say—”I just heard back from my editor.” Or is that just me?

This is a decision only you can make for yourself because it’s based on you, your ability, and how well you know your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it’s just enough to have critique partner and reader feedback. And, let’s be honest, a professional editor can be expensive. They can also be worth their weight in gold when you want to put your best foot forward with your book. Either way, let’s hear from you. Do you think it’s important to hire a professional editor? Why or why not?