Getting your book edited by a professional editor can be expensive. So, in order to cut the cost of publishing their books, some writers resort to self-editing. However, self-editing may not be as cost-effective as you may think. There are several disadvantages of self-editing. Here are some of them:
Self-Editing Takes Time
The only way you can self-edit your manuscript fairly well is by leaving it to sit for some days without reading it. Taking your eyes and your mind off your manuscript allows you to see the work with a fresh set of eyes when you return to it. The more familiar you are with the contents of your manuscript, the longer you have to stay away from it.
This pushes your release or launch date further and further into the future. So, the sooner you get a professional editor who can critically look at the content of your manuscript, the sooner you may be able to publish it.
Saving Money May Cost you More
The number one reason why people self-edit their books is that they want to save some money. However, even if you are able to save some money that would have been used to pay a professional editor, your book may end up getting poor reviews if it is not properly edited.
Poor reviews lead to a decline in sales and a dented reputation as a writer. The inability to build trust in your readers will most likely result in a lukewarm or even cold reception to your subsequent books.
It is always advantageous to get it right the first time. Consider your book as an investment and save for it. Professional editors like those at My Sharp Pen Editing Services should read your manuscript, so that they will polish your writing and make it better.
You Are Too Familiar with your Manuscript
When you have written and revised your manuscript many times, you will become very familiar with it. The problem with being familiar with your content is that you will overlook mistakes within it. While you are self-editing, your mind will fill in the blanks and read the text as you intended to write it, and not as it is actually written.
Self-editing does not let you see the blind spots in your text. This may result in publishing your book with glaring errors within it. Having obvious errors in your final copy is almost as bad as not proofreading it at all. As a result, it is preferable to have a fresh set of eyes edit your book.
Your Scope May Be Limited.
There are various aspects and types of editing. Editing is done on various levels. They are developmental editing, copy editing, line editing, and then proofreading on the other hand.
Most non-editors think that proofreading is all that an editor does. So, when they self-edit their manuscript, they just look out for surface mistakes like spelling mistakes and punctuation errors.
An editor does much more than that. Depending on the kind of editing service that you pay for, an editor would correct grammar and spelling mistakes, properly format your text, rephrase awkward sentences and make them more effective, and utilize other editing techniques that polish your writing and help you pass across your intended meaning accurately.
It is better to give your manuscript to an expert editor who has the skills and experience to give it a professional touch.
Self-editing could save you some money, but it may cost you other things. As a writer, you need a professional editor to give your writing some sprucing up. Investing in your book by getting it professionally edited is a worthwhile step towards publishing it.
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