When you’re hiring a professional editor (which we highly recommend), applying some self-editing strategies is a crucial part of the publishing process. Why? Because the cleaner your manuscript is, the easier and more affordable it is to edit. Plus, catching those obvious clunky spots or consistency gaps means your editor can focus on what really matters—the big-picture stuff.
But self-editing doesn’t have to make your eyes glaze over or your soul leave your body. Here’s how to edit your own work like a pro without losing your mind in the process.
1. Step Away from the Keyboard
No, seriously. Take a break. After you finish your draft, walk away for a few days (or a couple of weeks, if time allows). You need distance before you can see the flaws in your own writing. Your brain knows what you meant to say and will try to auto-correct every time you reread it. Time away equals clarity later.
2. Read It Like a Reader (Not a Writer)
When you come back, read your manuscript like someone who’s never seen it before. Don’t dive straight into nitpicking grammar. Instead, look at the big picture:
- Do the chapters flow logically?
- Are any parts boring or repetitive?
- Do character decisions make sense?
- Does the ending feel satisfying?
This is your developmental self-edit pass. Jot down big issues to fix before worrying about commas.
3. Use Tech—but Don’t Trust It Blindly
Tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or Word’s spellcheck are helpful, but they’re not perfect. Think of them as your intern, not your editor. These tools can help catch passive voice, overused words, or sneaky typos, but they won’t know if your protagonist magically changes eye color mid-book. Use tech as a backup, not a replacement for human eyes (especially yours).
4. Print It Out (Old School, We Know)
It’s shocking how many errors hide on a screen but jump out when printed. Change the font or layout if you don’t want to kill trees. Just break the visual rhythm to trick your brain into seeing the text fresh. Bonus tip: read it aloud. You’ll catch awkward phrasing and run-on sentences much faster that way.
5. Watch for These Common Offenders
Here’s a quick checklist of issues authors tend to miss in their own work:
- Repetitive words or phrases (especially favorites you don’t notice)
- Overused adverbs (quickly, suddenly, really, actually)
- Clunky dialogue (does it sound like real people talking?)
- Flat descriptions (show us, don’t just tell us)
- Inconsistent character behavior (are they suddenly wise after 10 chapters of chaos?)
6. Use Self-Editing Strategies in Passes
Don’t try to fix everything at once. Instead, do multiple rounds with a specific focus:
- Big picture (structure, plot, pacing)
- Character consistency and dialogue
- Line-level polish (flow, word choice, tone)
- Grammar, punctuation, formatting
You’ll be less overwhelmed and way more effective in your manuscript polish.
7. Know When to Let Go
There comes a point when you’re no longer making the book better. You’re just moving furniture around. If you find yourself obsessing over the placement of a single word for three days, it’s time to stop and hand it over to your editor. They’ve got your back.
Final Thoughts: The Critical Step When Editing Your Own Work
Even if you’re hiring help, self-editing is an essential step in respecting your story and your editor’s time. Plus, it gives you a stronger understanding of your own writing habits, which will make your future drafts sharper from the start. That’s progress. These simple self-editing strategies won’t fry your brain before your book even hits an editor’s desk. You’ve already done the hardest part, writing the book. Now give it the clean-up it deserves.
Related Reading:
If you’re currently in the process of vetting editors or need further help editing your own work, you might find our guide on how to find a book editor helpful.
What if you disagree with your editor? Here’s how to handle it.
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This video provides a great overview of what a focus keyphrase is and how it helps with SEO for your content.
