Do you need to hire a line editor? Or should you line edit your manuscript yourself?

After all, you want to write an excellent novel. You know that great writing takes shape in revision, and you don’t want to skimp on any layers of editing.

Nor do you want to overestimate your writing skills and leave your book littered with clunky sentences that a wordsmithing line editor could polish into shining brilliance.

On the other hand, you also don’t want to mess up your editing process or your manuscript by getting the editing phases wrong.

You don’t want to hire the wrong people at the wrong time and reduce the efficiency of your edits by getting them out of order.

You don’t want to waste money you don’t need to spend on professional editing you don’t actually need.

And you definitely don’t want to make your manuscript worse by getting feedback that doesn’t match your vision.

So: do you need to hire a line editor?

Well, maybe. Or maybe not.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what line editing is, what line editors do, and what your book and your editing process truly need.

You’ll hear:

• What great line editors can do
• The risk of working with a line editor
• The key that makes great line editing possible
• How to find your best line editor
• And more

Whether you hire a line editor or line edit your novel yourself, the principles I share in today’s episode will help you ensure every word you choose is the right one for your story and your voice.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• See my sample developmental and line editing feedback: alicesudlow.com/83
• Discover Story Clarity and Story Refinery

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In Story Clarity, we’ll work one-on-one to sharpen your story’s structure and craft a revision plan that works. If you’re ready for thoughtful, personalized feedback from an editor who gets what you’re trying to do, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get started by telling me about your story here.

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