Does It Make Sense for Indie Authors to Hire an Editor? Benefits, Costs, and Considerations

For self-published or indie authors, deciding whether to hire an editor is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the success of their books. Let's explore the factors that determine whether this investment is worth it and, if so, how much one should be prepared to pay.

The Benefits of Hiring an Editor

At the core, the advice is a qualified yes. It is highly beneficial for a novice author, at the very least, to have a competent copy editor review each new book. A quality copy edit these days can be achieved for around half a cent per word, making it a relatively affordable investment. However, the true value lies in the learning process that novel edits can provide. For most writers, the first million published words is a period of significant skill development. Adding a developmental or line editor during this stage is an investment that extends beyond just one book, benefiting all future works.

The insights and improvements gained from such edits have lasting value. These lessons remain with the writer, influencing each subsequent book. Developmental and line edits can be instrumental in helping new authors refine their craft, dictating style, enhancing narrative structure, and polishing the prose to an even greater degree. While the value of these edits diminishes over time, they remain a valuable tool for ongoing improvement.

The Diminishing Returns of Editing

Once a writer has established themselves and accumulated a substantial catalog of work, the necessity of these detailed edits may lessen. Over more than fifty books, I've found that the role of the editor is significantly reduced to merely correcting typos, with minimal further revision required. However, for those starting out, the investment in editing can pay off handsomely in terms of craft and polish.

Realistic Expectations and Success Stories

While it is strongly recommended, hiring a professional editor is not an absolute requirement for success. Many self-edited books achieve significant commercial and critical success. The quality of a book does impact its success, but perfect spelling and grammar are not the paramount concerns. Readers care more about a compelling story than they do about minute grammatical errors. This reality is well-documented by the numerous success stories of authors who have achieved significant milestones without professional editing.

Many of these authors later choose to edit their earlier works with professional help, especially once they have the financial resources to do so. This highlights the utility and benefit of editing, even if it is not a crucial component for initial publication. Over time, if an author continues with the career, they often either learn to edit at a professional level or hire professional editors to refine their work.

Conclusion: A Valuable but Not Essential Investment

Hiring an editor is a highly beneficial investment, especially for novice authors. It can enhance the learning process, improve future works, and polish the first edition of a book. However, it is by no means an absolute requirement for success. Many successful self-published authors have managed to achieve great success without formal editing, demonstrating that a compelling story can resonate with readers regardless of minor editing mistakes.

In summary, while hiring an editor is an excellent investment that can bring numerous benefits, the decision to do so ultimately depends on individual circumstances and resources. The key is to weigh the potential benefits against the costs and to recognize that perfection in spelling and grammar is not the only determinant of a book's success.