How to Self-Edit Your Novel Like a Pro (Before Hiring an Editor)
You finished your first draft. 🎉
Take a deep breath.
Now comes the phase that separates dreamers from published authors: self-editing.
Editing your book can feel overwhelming, especially after pouring your heart onto the page. But self-editing is one of the most crucial steps in the writing and self-publishing process—and it can make the difference between a messy manuscript and a story that truly shines.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to self-edit your novel like a professional, saving you time, money, and a lot of heartache later on.
Why Self-Editing Matters Before Hiring a Professional Editor
Many first-time authors make the mistake of sending their rough first draft to an editor—only to waste hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on feedback that a solid self-edit could have fixed.
Self-editing helps you:
Tighten your story
Catch glaring mistakes
Save money on editing costs
Impress professional editors (making their job easier)
Become a better writer for your next book
Think of self-editing as your book’s first polish. It's not about perfection—it's about making sure you’re putting your best draft forward.
Step 1: Take a Break from Your Manuscript
Before you dive into editing, walk away.
Seriously.
Take 2–4 weeks off if you can. Let your brain reset so you can see the manuscript with fresh eyes.
While you wait, you can:
Read books in your genre
Study writing craft (like Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – [affiliate link])
Work on outlining your next project
Pro Tip: Set a “manuscript revisit” date on your calendar to stay on track.
Step 2: Start with a Big-Picture Read
Your first self-edit isn’t about commas and typos—it’s about the story itself.
Questions to ask during your big-picture read:
Does the plot make sense?
Are the stakes high enough?
Do characters feel real and motivated?
Are there boring sections where the pacing drags?
Does the story start and end strong?
Take notes as you read, but resist the urge to nitpick grammar just yet. Focus on the heart of your book.
Step 3: Revise for Structure and Character Arc
Once you've done a big-picture read, tackle the major structural edits.
Key things to revise:
Strengthen your opening pages (hook the reader fast!)
Deepen your character arcs—characters should grow and change
Tighten sagging middles (add tension, stakes, revelations)
Clarify motivations and relationships between characters
Cut unnecessary subplots that don't drive the main story
Resource Tip: Plotting guides like Save the Cat Writes a Novel (affiliate link) can help you spot where your beats are weak.
Step 4: Line Edit for Clarity and Style
After the big fixes, it’s time to polish your writing at the sentence level.
Things to look for:
Overused words (like “just,” “very,” “really”)
Passive voice (“The ball was thrown by John” → “John threw the ball”)
Repetitive phrasing or ideas
Long, confusing sentences—make them crisp and clear
Dialogue that doesn’t sound natural
Tools to help:
Grammarly – for grammar and clarity checks (affiliate link)
ProWritingAid – for deeper style analysis (affiliate link)
The Hemingway App – for cutting down on complex sentences
Pro Tip: Read your book out loud to catch awkward phrasing and clunky dialogue.
Step 5: Cut Ruthlessly (Even If You Love It)
If a scene, sentence, or character doesn't serve the story—it’s got to go.
“Kill your darlings.” — William Faulkner
Don’t be afraid to cut slow openings, unnecessary flashbacks, or info-dumps. Trust that every word you cut brings your story into sharper focus.
Step 6: Proofread for Grammar, Spelling, and Typos
Once you’ve handled the big picture and line edits, then it’s time to proofread.
Tips for better proofreading:
Use a grammar checker (Grammarly or ProWritingAid)
Print your manuscript and mark it by hand
Change the font before your final read—it tricks your brain into seeing mistakes
Read backwards (sentence by sentence)
Pro Tip: Even after self-proofreading, plan to hire a professional proofreader before publishing.
Recommended Self-Editing Tools (Affiliate Opportunities!)
Save the Cat Writes a Novel – Plotting and editing resource
How Self-Editing Improves Your Publishing Journey
Taking the time to self-edit:
Reduces costly revisions with your editor
Increases your chances of strong early reviews
Builds your skills for future books
Makes you a more professional, confident author
Readers can spot a rushed or sloppy book. A well-edited novel not only wins fans—it keeps them coming back for more.
Also Read:
Final Thoughts
Self-editing isn’t about nitpicking yourself to death—it’s about respecting your story enough to make it shine.
Give yourself grace during this process. Editing is an act of love, not punishment.
Your future readers—and your future self—will thank you for it.
You’ve already done the hard part. Now, it’s time to level up your story and bring it to life.
