Let’s start things off by understanding who the editor is and how he or she helps you with your manuscript.
You’ve probably heard the joke that when you work with a psychiatrist, you’re paying for a friend. Well, if we apply that joke to editing, we can say that when you work with a professional editor, you’re paying for a reader.
An editor is a professional reader, with an emphasis on professional.
You may be a reader, too. You may have devoted your entire life to reading the pages of great books. In fact, you may even be an editor, as well. But, you cannot be your own professional editor.
While you can and should self-edit, it’s impossible to thoroughly self-edit your own work. You’re too close. You already know your characters. You already know where your story is headed. You’re not able to see with fresh eyes. You’re unable to be unaware.
And because you cannot see your own writing objectively, you’ll need someone else to do that for you.
That’s why you should hire a professional editor. See More . . .
