Self-Publishing? Don’t Skip These Essential Editing Steps
So, you’ve written a book. First of all—congratulations! That’s no small feat. Whether you’re working on a novel, memoir, or nonfiction masterpiece, completing a manuscript is worth celebrating. But if you’re planning to self-publish, it’s time to talk about something critical (and often overlooked): book editing.
Self-publishing gives you total control, which is empowering—but it also means the quality of your final product is 100% up to you. And let’s be real: a typo-riddled book or clunky sentence structure will tank your credibility faster than you can say “independent author.”
That’s why editing and proofreading are non-negotiable. In this post, we’ll break down the essential editing steps for self-published authors, share some editing tips, and show you how to level up your book before it hits digital shelves.
Why Editing Matters (Especially for Indie Authors)
In traditional publishing, books go through multiple rounds of professional editing: developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, proofreading—the works.
Self-published books? Not so much… unless you make it happen.
Poorly edited books are a dime a dozen on Amazon, and readers won’t hesitate to leave a scathing one-star review if they’re frustrated by errors. You worked hard on your manuscript—don’t let basic editing mistakes distract from your message or storytelling.
The 4 Essential Editing Steps for Self-Published Authors
Whether you’re hiring an editor or doing some of it yourself, these are the must-have stages every self-published book should go through.
1. Self-Editing: Your First Clean-Up
Think of this as “pre-editing” or “cleaning the house before the cleaners arrive.”
What to focus on:
Obvious typos and grammar issues
Repetitive phrases or overused words
Clunky sentences or dialogue
Continuity issues in plot or structure
Tip: Tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can help you catch low-hanging fruit, but don’t rely on them for deeper editing.
This step will make professional editing smoother—and often more affordable—since your editor won’t have to dig through messy copy.
2. Line Editing: Sentence-Level Polish.
Line editing is where the magic happens. This is about refining your voice, flow, and readability—making sure your sentences are clear, engaging, and effective.
Line editing focuses on:
Awkward phrasing
Redundancies
Sentence rhythm and pacing
Word choice
Tone and consistency
Think of it as the stylist of your manuscript. You’ve got great bones—now let’s make it shine.
Pro tip: At BookReady Editors, our Expert Line Edit is perfect for this stage. We keep your unique voice intact while tightening and enhancing your writing.
3. Grammar Meets Detail
Often confused with line editing (and sometimes done together), copy editing focuses on correctness. It's the grammar geek’s playground.
Copy editors fix:
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Sentence structure
Tense and verb agreement
Consistency in style and formatting (dates, names, etc.)
This step ensures your book reads professionally and doesn’t distract readers with avoidable errors.
Editing tip for self-published authors: Use a style guide! The Chicago Manual of Style is the gold standard for book publishing. A good editor will follow one, but it’s handy to reference if you’re making decisions on your own.
4. Proofreading: The Final Polish
Proofreading is your final quality control before publishing. It’s not the same as editing—it’s a careful review for tiny errors that slipped through the cracks.
Proofreaders check for:
Typos and misspellings
Double spaces, missing punctuation
Formatting consistency
Page numbers and headings
Any layout issues in the final manuscript or print-ready file
Why it matters: Readers will forgive a lot, but multiple typos scream “unprofessional.” Proofreading is your last chance to catch the little things before your book is out in the world forever. At BookReady, our Professional Proofreading service is designed just for this stage—quick, clean, and precise.
How to Decide What Kind of Editing You Need
Not every author needs all types of editing from a pro. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Stage | DIY OK? | Hire an Editor? |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Edit | ✅ Yes | No |
| Line Edit | 🤔 Maybe | ✅ Yes, if you want strong writing & flow |
| Copy Edit | ❌ No | ✅ Definitely |
| Proofread | ❌ No | ✅ 100% must |
Still not sure what you need? BookReady Editors offers a free sample edit so you can see what level of editing your manuscript might need.
Common Mistakes Self-Publishing Authors Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Let’s break down a few editing pitfalls that we see a lot:
Skipping Editing Entirely. No matter how good you are, you can’t objectively edit your own work. Your brain fills in the blanks and misses errors. Always get a second set of eyes.
Confusing Editing Types. A proofread is not a line edit. A line edit won’t catch formatting issues. Know what each one does (see above!) so you don’t publish a half-baked draft.
Hiring Inexperienced Editors. Your cousin who’s “great at English” is probably not a professional editor. Look for editors who specialize in books, ideally in your genre.
Editing Before the Book Is Ready. Don’t jump into editing until your story or structure is solid. Rewriting a chapter after it’s been line edited is a waste of time and money.
What About AI Editing Tools?
Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Hemingway Editor are useful for first drafts and idea development, but they’re no replacement for a human editor. Machines can catch basic errors—but they don’t understand nuance, tone, or the emotional arc of your story.
You wouldn’t use spellcheck alone to design your book cover, right? Same goes for editing.
Final Checklist Before You Publish
Before you hit that “Publish” button, run through this:
✅ I’ve done a full self-edit
✅ My book has been professionally line or copy edited
✅ A proofreader has reviewed the final version
✅ The manuscript is formatted correctly (both print and eBook)
✅ I feel confident in the quality of my book
If you answered “no” to any of the above, BookReady can help. We offer flat-rate editing packages designed just for indie authors—no hourly rates, no surprises. Check out our editing packages here.
Resources for Indie Authors
Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi): Advocacy, resources, and vetted editors
Reedsy Editor Marketplace: Another place to browse vetted editors
Jane Friedman’s Blog: Must-read posts on publishing, editing, and more
BookReady Editing Packages: Our flat-rate services for proofing, copy editing, and line editing
You Wrote the Book. Let Us Help You Finish It.
Self-publishing is empowering, but it’s also a big responsibility. You’re not just the author—you’re the publisher, too. And quality is everything.
The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you need a careful proofread, a deep sentence-level polish, or just want to bounce your manuscript off a second set of eyes, BookReady Editors is here to help.
Ready to get started? Contact us for a free sample edit and see how much stronger your book can be with the right editing support.
