If you want to pursue the traditional publishing route, you might be wondering: is it worthwhile to hire a editor on my own?

The answer is absolutely!

It might seem like working with a copy-editor before querying publishers is the wrong order in which to do things. After all, if your manuscript is accepted for publication, a publisher will usually do their own editing anyway.

The short answer is no.

The editing process is just that, a process. A manuscript will usually go through several rounds of editing before it is considered finished.

When an author sends me their manuscript, I mark it up with a combination of changes, suggested changes, questions, and notes. In addition to correcting grammar, punctuation, and formatting, I write things like: