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Originally Posted by Sil_liS
I understand that authors need to learn some things, and I also understand that they have to write to learn. My initial comment was on the fact that if what they are writing is part of the learning process, they can't expect to make a living out of writing while they are still learning.
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No, they should not. But many do.
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When I read, I like to see the world through the author's eyes. I consider changes in the line of the plot as interference. If you are doing your job right, you are taking away from my enjoyment of the book.
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You have obviously never seen a published manuscript
before editing.
And a competent editor seldom messes with the author's plot, unless it is absolutely necessary. There are authors who write wonderful prose, but can't plot to save their lives. Even when an author
can plot, an editorial eye can still be immensely useful, to make sure the plot hangs together, catch errors in continuity, and generally add drive to the book.
The general question is "does this scene advance the plot and serve a useful purpose in the book?" The answer is sometimes "no", but the author is too close to the work to realize it.
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And now groups 1-7 can self-publish and they will be left at the mercy of potential readers. Since they don't want your opinion anyway, there is less chance that they will want to submit it anyway, so you should have less slush to deal with. 
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Instead, all the potential
readers must deal with wading through the self-published slush, looking for something readable.
But it won't reduce the burden on an editor:
many people will still submit to
paying markets, because they hope to
get paid.
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And I stick by my words: I don't think there should be an editor in the first place.
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Be careful what you wish for. You might get it. You will
not be happy if you do.
______
Dennis