Self-Editing versus Professional Editing

Should You Self-Edit First or Instead of a Professional Editor?

The simple answer is this:
First, make your own passes to refine your book, then hire the professional(s).

Here’s the breakdown.

Before involving a Professional Editor: This is the recommended method. Self-editing rounds refine your draft by identifying obvious errors and clarifying your message, which saves the editor time and reduces costs. A polished manuscript enables the editor to focus on higher-level issues (e.g., structure, narrative flow) rather than basic corrections. Most publishing guidelines (e.g., from Writer’s Digest) recommend 2–3 rounds of self-revision before submission.

Instead of relying solely on professional editors: Self-editing alone is risky, especially for a first book. You’re too close to the work to catch all the flaws, and professional editors bring expertise in industry standards, audience expectations, and subtle nuances you might overlook. This method works only if you’re very experienced or on a tight budget, but it’s less likely to produce a competitive manuscript.

Hybrid Approach: Start with doing initial passes yourself, then hire an editor to give it a final polish. This balances effort and cost, making sure you cover basics while benefiting from professional insight.

Why Prior Passes Are Helpful

Efficiency: Editors charge by the hour or by the word (e.g., $0.01–$0.03 per word for line editing, $500–$2,000 for a full manuscript), so decreasing their workload reduces the costs. Fixing a comma splice yourself is cheaper than paying them to do it.

Clarity of Vision: Your passes help you refine your voice and structure, providing the editor with a clearer starting point.

Professional Focus: Editors can handle developmental edits (plot, theme) or copy-editing (fine grammar/style), providing added value beyond your reach.

Tips for Self-Editing Before Hiring a Professional

Punctuation Pass: Clean up commas, periods, and quotes. Use tools (like Grammarly) to identify issues, but verify them manually—e.g., make sure “He said, ‘Yes’” is correct.

Grammar Pass: Check tense consistency and subject-verb agreement. Read aloud to identify run-ons or sentence fragments—e.g., change “She runs fast he follows” to “She runs fast, and he follows.”

Style Pass: Improve flow and voice. Remove clichés (e.g., “time flies” → “hours vanish”) and vary sentence length for rhythm.

Big Picture Review: After completing these steps, reassess the structure and pacing—editors value a coherent draft.

When to Hire a Professional Editor

After self-edits: Once you’ve finished your passes, hire based on your needs.

Developmental Editor: For plot or argument issues (e.g., $1,000–$2,000 for 70,000 words).

Line/Copy Editor: For grammar, style, and consistency (e.g., $500–$1,500).

Proofreader: For final typos (e.g., $300–$500).

Timing: After 2–3 self-revision rounds, when you’re satisfied with the story but suspect blind spots. For your time travel book, this could follow your third draft.

Budget: Allocate 5–10% of your expected book revenue or a flat fee. Get quotes from Reedsy, Upwork, or local editors.

NOTE: Perform your punctuation, grammar, and style edits *before* consulting a professional editor to maximize their effectiveness and your budget—think of it as preparing soil before planting. Self-editing alone won’t make your book polished, but it lays the groundwork for an editor to excel.