Can My Journalist Friend or Former English Teacher Edit My Book?
After completing a recent developmental edit on a groundbreaking book by a prominent scientific author, I suggested that after making his final revisions, he should engage in copyediting and then proofreading. I explained how copyediting would streamline sentences for better flow, correct errors, and ensure compliance with Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).
He seemed delighted with my recommendations, made his own revisions, and a couple of months later, I heard from him again.
“My book is now ready for proofreading!” he announced. “Someone did the copyediting for me already.”
I soon learned that this “copyeditor” was his neighbor’s daughter, a past journalist. I braced myself a bit, because both proofreading and copyediting are very specific skills in the book publishing industry. Without going into technical details, a proofreader merely checks for errors as a final, crucial stage before publishing. Copyediting is a critical step between developmental editing and proofreading that involves carving, shaping, and even formatting to prepare for layout. That may seem straightforward, but it’s actually not. It takes years of training and experience to be good at it (and at developmental editing, for that matter).
As I looked over her copyedits, I realized the book needed much more than proofreading. There were many inconsistencies in style. She had edited according to the Associated Press (AP) Style, which is appropriate for short-form articles but very different than CMOS, the style used for books. And I found some remaining developmental gaps and multiple errors.
Which answers the questions I posed in the title: Yes, your neighbor/niece/English teacher/journalist friend could edit your book. You’d probably get some good feedback; they might even be a great “beta reader” (stay tuned for a future post on this). But it would be sort of like taking your Porsche to a lawn mower mechanic. I’m not knocking the lawn mower mechanic (and forgive me if you are an English teacher or journalist, as I’ve marveled at the skills of both and don’t mean to diminish these roles in the slightest with my perhaps overly simplified metaphor). These mechanics know their way around two-stroke engines and can save the day by sharpening blades and cleaning gunk out of the motor. But a Porsche is a unique, highly mechanized, complex engineering marvel. It needs to run optimally, because it’s not just taking you around the yard—but potentially coast to coast, maybe even with others.
To lose the metaphor, someone who isn’t trained in how to edit a book—meaning how to ensure that it holds engagement, continuity, and clarity across 35,000 to 100,000 words versus, say, 800 words—will be leaving opportunities, and likely errors, on the table. Journalists are skilled at reporting on the five Ws and one H—who, what, where, when, why, and how—concisely, and they edit according to “AP Style.” English teachers likely can drill how to write an expository essay or stream of consciousness poem, but they probably won’t have years of experience tracking long-form writing, and they are more apt to be trained in “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White.
Why does this matter? Eminem wrote a song about having “one shot” to make it. Well, I believe a book is your one shot. Yes, you could write another, but once your book is “live,” you have one chance to make a first impression. Especially as an indie author, it’s on your shoulders to make sure your book looks as professionally published as possible.
You’re going to get reviews—first from friends and family, who will probably leave glowing comments. They love you, and they likely won’t want to hurt your feelings or give you the blunt advice you may need. That’s not the case with strangers, who won’t hold back if they find inconsistencies, errors, or gaps. That’s where an editor comes in. Unlike gentle friends or potential callous strangers, a professional editor will equip and educate you about needed changes—using tact and direct recommendations—before your book goes public. To make your “one shot” your best shot, hire a professional book editor who will provide you with expert feedback before your launch.
Bonus tip: Don’t just hire any book editor. Hire an editor in your genre. How? Ask them for their specialty, and look at the other books they’ve worked on.
Happy writing!
p.s. Have any questions about the writing or editing process? Reach out if we can help.
