GUEST FEATURE IWACA
10 | IWACA
THE VALUE OF PROFESSIONALLY
EDITING YOUR WORK
By Nikki Busch, freelance editor, Nikki Busch Editing Services
M
ANY INDIE AUTHORS WONDER HOW TO ELEVATE THEIR NOVELS
ABOVE THE BARRAGE OF SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS THAT ARE RELEASED ON A MINUTE-BY-MINUTE BASIS. A PROFESSIONAL EDIT CAN SET YOUR BOOK APART.
What truly separates one self-published book from another?
Sure, marketing is essential. A unique, well-designed cover helps too. But by and large, to elevate your self-published novel above the rest, have it professionally edited.
Trust me, the blog reviewers will notice the difference, and they'll be among the first to weigh in on your work.
Let’s look at a some common misconceptions new indie authors have about editing:
"Why hire an editor? Isn't that what free beta readers are for?"
No, that isn't the true function of beta readers. Yes, they can help with plot development, call out point of view inconsistencies, and question character credibility, but many beta readers do not have the training and skill to competently edit your novel.
"I can edit my own book—I aced grammer in school."
Editing goes beyond fixing grammar. It includes addressing tone, flow, and clarity; repairing awkward sentence structure; finding inconsistencies; eliminating overused words; and more.
Being proficient in grammar will give you a leg up, but professional editors rely on many more skills to help make your book a game-changer in the indie market.
Plus, can you honestly step away from your own work and edit it with a critical eye?
A fresh set of trained eyes—not yours, not your beta reader's—will catch those niggling errors that most authors just can't detect.