Writing a children’s book is all about telling a story—creating characters, building worlds, and shaping plots. When you're in your ‘writing zone’, the goal is to stay creative and let the words spill from your mind onto the page. Then, once you've written “The End,” the real work begins—editing.
Editing is when you stop being the writer and start being the reader. This part comes in two stages: self-editing and professional editing. (And yes, you need both). Self-editing allows you to view your work with fresh eyes and fix the spots that don’t feel clear, true, or easy to read. A professional editor uses their expertise to catch what you might have missed. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between self-editing and professional editing, why both are essential and how to make the most of each stage.
What is Self-Editing?
There’s a moment every writer dreams of: you reach the last word of your draft, look down, and think, “Wow, it’s done.” It’s a huge accomplishment, and one worthy of celebration. But here’s the catch: your story isn’t quite finished yet—you first need to self-edit.
As the name suggests, self-editing is all about rolling up your sleeves and refining your manuscript. I know it might sound intimidating, but this phase isn’t just about catching mistakes—it’s about ensuring your story is as strong as it can be before it heads to the next stage. Trust me, this extra effort will save you time, money, and plenty of headaches down the line.
How This Benefits You:
In the excitement of finishing your manuscript, it can be tempting to immediately rush your draft off to a professional editor. But hold off on that for the moment. Here’s how self-editing can benefit you:
- You’ll get the big, obvious edits taken care of: This includes misspellings, grammar, and sentence structure so that the professional editor can focus on the niche or nitty-gritty problems you might have missed.
- You’ll save time and money: Professional editors charge based on the amount of work needed. When you edit on your own first, you can help reduce the costs since they’ll be fine-tuning instead of fixing basic errors.
- You’ll enhance your own writing ability: As you spot what works and what doesn't, you'll be able to lean more into your distinct style. Over time, this can sharpen your ability to write stronger first drafts.
How to Self-Edit (Without Pulling Your Hair Out)
You might be thinking, “I’m not an editor, so why is this my job?” Self-editing isn’t as scary as it sounds—it just takes practice. Take a look at these steps to help you get started:
- Take It One Step at a Time: Trying to fix everything at once can be a recipe for frustration. Pick one thing to focus on so that it feels manageable.
- Start Big, Then Zoom In: I recommend starting with the big picture stuff, like plot and pacing, and then slowly getting into the small details, like grammar or word choice.
- Take Breaks (Just Not Too Long!): Editing requires focus, so pace yourself. Step away when you need to recharge—but try not to leave your manuscript gathering metaphorical dust for weeks.
- Read Like a Reader: Pretend it’s your first time reading the story. Does it flow? Do the characters feel believable? A fresh perspective can help you spot things you might’ve missed.
- Download the FREE Editing Checklist: Not sure where to start or what to look for? I’ve got you covered—download the Editing Checklist to make the process easier (and less overwhelming).
What is Professional Editing?
Once you land on a draft you’re proud of, you can confidently hand it over to a professional editor. Editors are like the final polish for your manuscript—they bring their expertise, objectivity, and fresh eyes to catch things you might have missed, such as plot holes, inconsistencies, or even unnecessary characters. Think of them as your creative partner; their feedback is not to crush your spirits but to help bring your book to its highest potential.
Why Professional Editors Are Essential
Let’s face it: as authors, we get attached to our story—and that’s a good thing! However, it does make it a bit harder to spot what’s not working. Here’s where professional editors come alongside you to help turn a good draft into a great book:
They Bring a Reader’s POV
You’ve spent countless hours with your characters and your plot, so it can be hard to see the story objectively. Professional editors can see your story from a reader’s POV, which allows them to notice what’s unclear, inconsistent, or just not connecting.
They Trim the Excess
Do you have a character who doesn’t contribute to the plot? Or a subplot that feels like a detour? Editors can tell you what needs to go to tighten the narrative and keep things focused.
They Catch What You Can’t
Plot holes, pacing problems, extra fluff, timeline mix-ups, sentence flow—these are all things editors are trained to spot and give constructive feedback on. Because they approach your book with an unbiased perspective, they’re able to catch errors and weaknesses that you might have overlooked.
They Help You Know When It’s Done
As an author, it’s easy to keep tweaking and perfecting, but there comes a point when “good enough” really is good enough. Editors can help you recognize this moment. Their job is to guide you to your finished manuscript that’s ready to meet its readers.
Why Both Editing Phases Are Necessary
Editing is a team effort between you and a professional editor. Self-editing allows you to take a step back and refine. With your editing hat on, you are allowing yourself to get acquainted with your book in a new way and ensure it’s in the best possible shape before sending it off to a professional editor. Because you’ve taken the necessary time to catch common mistakes, your editor can focus on the most important edits.
So, what happens if you skip a step? Let’s meet three (hypothetical) authors who took different paths:
Scenario #1: Carl decides to skip self-editing and sends his raw draft straight to a professional editor. His manuscript is riddled with grammar mistakes and tangled sentences, so the editor spends hours cleaning up the basics instead of focusing on the big-picture elements like pacing and plot. Carl ends up paying extra, and while his story is grammatically correct, it’s not the showstopper he envisioned.
The result? Carl’s wallet feels light and his book isn’t exactly what he hoped.
Scenario #2: Olivia believes her self-editing skills are enough and skips hiring a professional editor. She reads her story a dozen times, tweaking it until she’s convinced it’s perfect. But personal biases blind her to weak spots—a confusing ending and flat characters. Publishers pass on her manuscript, leaving Olivia frustrated and wondering what went wrong.
The result? Olivia’s book never makes it to shelves, and she’s out of time and energy.
Scenario #3: Theresa carefully reads through her manuscript, correcting grammar, improving flow, and tightening her story. She knows she’s done her best, but she also knows her heart is too close to the project. She sends it to a professional editor, who spots subtle plot inconsistencies, strengthens her characters, and polishes the writing to a professional level.
The result? Theresa’s manuscript shines, publishers take notice, and her first book finds its way into readers’ hands across the nation.
It’s true—self-editing takes effort, but the outcome is worth it every time. Not only can it help you improve as a writer, but it also ensures you are handing over your best work to publishers and editors. Remember, self-editing isn’t a substitute for professional editing, rather it is complementary to it. This is a chance to set your story up for success, so don’t skip these editing phases. Together, they make all the difference.
Editing Services for Aspiring Authors
Ready to take your manuscript to the next level? Here’s how we can help:
For those in the self-editing phase:
Download the free Editing Checklist. This is THE resource to help guide you through the self-editing process step-by-step.
For those ready to work with a professional editor:
If you’re not sure where to find a professional editor, check out my Picture Book Editing Package. You’ll get a trio of edits that will take your manuscript from amateur to expert.