So, you’ve put your novel out into the world, wrapped in a silky binding and adorned with a stunning, meticulously-thought-out cover. Visually, it’s absolutely beautiful, and you’ve even gone as far as to include drop-capitals at the beginning of every chapter like a glittery religious text of old. Once you get past the seductive aesthetics, however, you find a spelling mistake. Then another one, and another, and another. Then, a series of grammatical errors that jump up at the reader like the humps and ridges of a poorly-maintained highway, and then you start to feel fatigued, and OH NO! You’re holding in your hands what appears to be somewhat of a half-baked book.
Today’s question is simple; should you as an author pay for professional editing? The short answer is yes.
It is entirely up to you as to whether or not you pay for professional editing. It should be noted and understood that in general, publishers vary greatly in their approach to editing. Some publishers have professional in-house editors, and some do not offer editing services at all. You can, of course, peruse the content of your book over and over again to vet the grammar and spelling, re-write paragraphs or even entire sections, but we would advise finding a professional to take a look at your work.
So, why exactly should you find a professional editor?
#1: Spelling and Grammar
Before you raise your fists in protest, please remember that asking someone to review the quality of your spelling and grammar, even as a wordsmith, is not an admission of defeat. It is not you declaring to the world that you’re a fraud. All high-brow authors have their work professionally edited, and this includes spelling and grammar, too! The truth is, a book riddled with rudimentary spelling and grammar errors is not going to make for an enjoyable read, and can really play a significant role in taking the reader out of the moment. There is a place in writing for poor grammar and spelling when it is deliberate- perhaps within the context of a diary entry written by a character- but generally, this needs to be vetted before publication.
#2: A Weight Off Your Shoulders!
Professionals editors are professional for a reason! If your publisher does not offer editing services or you are self-publishing, it can feel quite relieving to be able to pass your manuscript into the trustworthy hands of an editor! Some authors may wish to edit their work themselves, and that’s perfectly okay, but for many, trawling back through a manuscript several times can be very daunting.
#3: A Second Opinion
If you have indeed edited your work yourself, it still can’t hurt to get a second opinion from someone. Professional editors can be very useful in this regard, as they can pick up on errors that you have missed, or are easily glossed over.
#4: Multi-Layered Feedback
A common misconception about editing is that an editor’s sole job is to be very authoritarian about spelling and grammar, and that’s it. This is not true at all. With years of experience in the publishing industry and working closely with authors, editors are also able to provide feedback on the structure of your work, the tone of your writing, your choice of language and rhetorical devices, pacing, and even characters and the plot itself! Having a second opinion from someone who has spent much of their lives surrounded by books is a great bullet to have in the chamber!
