How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript

What Does It Mean to Self-Edit?

To begin, let's break down the term "self-edit." The word “self” refers to you doing something on your own. Keeping that in mind, "self-editing" refers to you checking your manuscript for grammatical errors, incorrect word usage, and things of the sort.

It might seem easy to self-edit, but you have to remember that all the responsibility is on you to deliver an error-free manuscript. You will have to use concise language, refine your characters, spot any holes in your plot, and proofread to ensure there are no issues with mechanics. In short, you must manage everything that goes into editing a book. 

Let’s face it, this is a lot of work. Plus, it might be difficult for you to be objectively critical about your writing. If you wrote your manuscript the way you did because you thought it was the path to take, it might be difficult to view it in a fresh way. 

Although it requires time, discipline, and objectivity, it is possible to self-edit your manuscript. Follow the tips we've compiled and you'll be off to a good start! Let’s get to it!

Self-Edit with These Tips

Wait

The first thing you have to do after finishing your manuscript is put it away for a few days. That's right. You read that sentence correctly. By not touching your manuscript, you give your mind some time to rest. Then, you can review it with fresh eyes.

Giving yourself this time will allow your brain to switch from a writer to a reader’s point of view. This will make it easier to self-edit because you will spot any mistakes or flaws in your manuscript easier. 

Choose the English You’re Going to Use

There are a plethora of ways to communicate in English. You might write your book in standard American English, British English, Australian English, Ebonics… 

The language or dialect you use may depend on your target audience or the setting of your story. In any case, it is important to stick to one primary language so that you can keep a uniform tone throughout your manuscript. 

Self-Edit for Several Rounds

Your manuscript will need to be edited for grammar, story development, diction, etc. Because of this, it's important to self-edit the text a few times. The goal is to make sure you don't miss anything. 

A good way to do this is to have a round of checkups for each “subject” that needs editing. Using different tools for each one of them will help you speed up the process and give you an impartial point of view that will help you think about how to edit a word or sentence.

Check for Passive Voice, Adverb Usage, and Hard-to-Read Sentences

You know what you want to say with that long sentence, but your readers might have a hard time processing it. They may also become confused by the random sentence in the middle of the paragraph that is written in passive voice.

Ultimately, your manuscript needs to be a pleasant read for your public. Make sure you correct all these issues so that readers can have a good experience with your book. 

Ensure It Makes Sense

Read your manuscript out loud. Ask a kind and patient friend to read it for you. You can also get an app to read your manuscript for you (Natural Readers works amazingly well). 

Reading your manuscript or having it read to you allows you to spot shifts in your characters' points of view, identify chapters that are not well-structured, and see if the plot flows. 

You will also be able to determine if you use the same word too much, which is something many authors tend to do. If you hear certain words constantly used in your manuscript when you're self-editing, grab a thesaurus and find synonyms for those terms to avoid sounding overly repetitive.

Check Your Grammar and Spelling

The last thing you want is for your book to be printed with spelling mistakes or grammar issues. As an author, nothing is worse than this because it makes your work look unprofessional. 

Once you have completed the first two steps listed above, you can move on to checking your grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 

Although there are apps that boast about being able to edit your text for you, there is nothing quite like hiring an experienced professional to get the job done. Understandably, quality editing services can be quite expensive, especially if you are on a limited budget. If that is the case, you can perform several rounds of self-editing, then take your manuscript to a professional editor for proofreading services.  

Format Accordingly

There’s still one step before sending your manuscript off to be published. You also need to format it according to industry standards. 

This is not mandatory, but it will make your work easier to read and display your professionalism. If you get stuck, you can hire a formatter for this part.

Formatting Tips:

- Send your manuscript as a Word document (.doc or .docx).

- Use double-spaced line spacing. If you’ve already written your book with different line spacing, select all of your text in Word, click Format > Paragraph, then select “Double” in the drop-down menu under “Line spacing.”

- Use a single space after periods.

- Use black, 12-point, Times New Roman as the font. (You are not limited to this. Just be sure the font is easy to read.)

- The first paragraph of any chapter after a subheading or following a bulleted or numbered list shouldn’t be indented.

Takeaway

It can be a long road to travel if you choose to self-edit your manuscript. However, it is definitely doable and will give your book a personal and unique touch. 

If you do not have the time or feel like you cannot objectively critique your own work while self-editing, you can always hire a professional editor. 

A qualified editor will proofread and edit your work to make sure it is ready for publication. We will happily take care of this for you! Find out more about our editing and proofreading services and let's get your book published!