Editors are expensive. If you are a writer and have not checked this out I suggest you do to avoid the ticket price shock. When my first draft of my first book was done I was in for a big awakening.
So I had to get creative. Joining a writing group helped as they tore apart my manuscript when it came to past tense, loop holes and a host of other things. But we can’t rely on a group to do all of our editing. Some members think that unfortunately.
There are a few types of editors. You have line editing, copy editing and developmental editing for starters. Each play a role in making one’s manuscript in the best shape it can possible be. For example I am a developmental editor but I still have my line editor and copy editor to go over each manuscript I finish. If you can’t afford these there are ways to still get it done.
English teachers or students, editors who are just starting out, writing groups that do editing and beta readers and writers are some ways you don’t go broke. But it is a necessary evil to get it done. The slush pile that publishers have are incredibly high. They just need one reason to toss it in file 13 and move on to the next manuscript. Getting editors is a good start on helping your work move on to the next stage and perhaps out of the trashcan.
Sharon C. Williams-Author 