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Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg
I'd agree that it was problably polished by publishing professionals. But a few authors are so good at making their own revisions that a strong-minded editor isn't really needed. Here's a quote from a prominent editor, about an important author, that I noticed:
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The truth is, Bob doesn’t really need me, but he thinks he does.
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Undoubtedly there are other authors who think they just need proofreading but really need a major rewrite. |
In my 30 years as a professional editor, I have edited many hundreds of books and many thousands of authors. If I were to line up 1,000 of the authors to select those who were not in need of the services of a professional editor, I might find 1 --- the remaining 999 all would benefit from a professional editor's services.
It is true that a very few authors can do it all themselves -- write, edit, design, even tell a good story -- but the reality is that it is a small group of authors who are capable of self-editing; most authors need the help that a professional editor can provide.
I think it is wrong for those few authors who can self-edit to keep telling all authors they can do it themselves when they can't -- unless, of course, it is a nefarious plot by those who can to make those who can't don't ever get any better
.