Every writer needs editing prior to seeking publication. Full stop.
It’s difficult to avoid projecting things onto the page, and these days it pays for a project to be as polished as possible before you send your first query. You can’t count on an agent or a publisher to polish your diamond in the rough. Yes, some agents engage in pre-submission editing, but these edits are final polishes, not rehabilitation.
If you can swing the funds, a paid edit from an experienced former publishing professional can do wonders to elevate your craft. The problem? Most editors with previous bona fide experience are in high demand and very expensive, stretching well into five figures or more for a full manuscript edit.
If you can’t swing those funds? You still need editing, but you may need to be a little creative.
First, here’s what not to do…
DON’T use AI as your editor
AI may someday be good at editing.
Right now? It’s not good.
Yes, AI can currently point out some low-hanging fruit, but AI feedback is generic, impossible to contextualize, will push you away from elements that make your voice and story unique, and is bereft of genuine human insight.
And if you think the AI is giving you good feedback, you need to back even further away from AI than those who are more skeptical. Above all, absolutely do not listen to its praise. The models are designed to be people pleasers and are likely telling you your project is in better shape than it really is.
Still don’t believe me? Well, publishers are increasingly using AI detectors prior to making offers on book projects. If you use AI as an editor and incorporate its feedback, you may well run afoul of an AI detector and jeopardize a potential book deal.
Do not use AI to edit your book. Don’t do it.
DON’T pay for a bargain-basement edit
There are countless editors out there on Reedsy and Fiverr who will offer you a bargain-basement edit for less than a thousand dollars. As with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for.
Scams abound, and I’ve heard of quite a few authors who either got little more than a cursory read or the “editor” simply ran their book through a chatbot, which the author could have just done on their own (though, again, don’t).
Unless you can verify an editor’s credentials, it’s better to save your money for a writers conference or marketing down the line, rather than wasting $500 on a poor edit.
DO connect with local writers
The company of writers is golden, and not just for feedback.
If there are stranger industries than publishing and more quixotic pursuits than finding successful publication in this day and age, I’m unfamiliar with them. Your fellow travelers on the road to publishing will understand and commiserate with your travails along the way because they’ve been there too.
Find the local writers in your community for friendship and also for help with your manuscript. Many communities have programs through libraries and arts councils, and check to see if you have a chapter of local writing groups like SCBWI, Shut Up & Write, Mystery Writers of America, and more.
This may entail a “give/get” situation, where you need to invest time in giving feedback before you get feedback, but the whole experience will be meaningful. And giving feedback is a tremendous way to train your eye and improve your own self-editing.
DO attend a writers conference
If you live in the middle of nowhere, or even if you’re in a big city, investing in attending a writers conference can be a fantastic way to meet fellow writers. I have made some lifelong friends at writers conferences.
I personally think writers conferences are overrated when it comes to meeting publishing professionals. Even if the writing conference you’re hoping to attend has pitch sessions with literary agents, you’re not very likely to find an agent that way. Don’t let meeting agents be your whole reason for going.
But! Writers conferences are wildly underrated as a way of meeting people and connecting with fellow writers. And they’re usually a blast.
DO look for organizations that award mentorships
There are some organizations that recognize the uphill battle for authors who can’t afford editing, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds who may be dealing with separate challenges.
I work with one of these, We Need Diverse Books, which offers grants and a mentorship program for children’s book authors and illustrators, and even connects finalists who don’t win the full mentorship with editing and art professionals to help the creators elevate their craft.
AWP also offers a Writer to Writer mentorship program, GrubStreet has an Ask a Writer mentorship program, and SCBWI has all sorts of grants and programs.
Lots of great stuff happening here.
DO invest in fellow writers online
Even if your mobility is limited and you need to connect with other writers from home, well, thank goodness for the internet.
There are fantastic writing communities out there, whether on Reddit, in the comments section of your favorite writing and publishing blogs, on social media, and more. You can also search for platforms that connect critique partners and/or beta readers.
It may take some trial and error reaching out and connecting with people, but if you invest the time and energy, particularly in a positive direction, chances are you’ll find it reflected back.
DO rely on friends and family in a pinch
An edit doesn’t have to come from a publishing professional, and even non-writing “civilians” can give astute feedback.
The only danger here is 1) they may want to spare your feelings, and 2) people who aren’t used to giving creative feedback may struggle to put a finger on why something isn’t working for them, and you may wind up with a few harebrained suggestions.
Still, even inexperienced readers can reflect helpful ideas back to you. You may just need to do a bit more work sorting out what it is that they’re really picking up on.
How have you gotten inexpensive, quality feedback in the past? Let me know in the comments!
Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!
For my best advice, check out my online classes, my guide to writing a novel, and my guide to publishing a book.
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Art: Still Life with Dutch Jar and Bust of Dante by William Harnett
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