Everyone has a story to tell.

Poor editing hurts authors.

Have you ever found a misspelled word or a plot hole while reading someone else’s work? It pulls you out of the writing and into “critique” mode. Researchers lose credibility and storytellers receive one-star reviews when their work is laden with glaring errors, unclear phrasing, and jumbled sentences.

Many people are great at editing their drafts, but writers throughout history have relied on professionals and critical friends to ensure their final pieces are worth reading and ready for publication.

If you believe the legends, Robert Louis Stevenson tossed the first version of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde into the fireplace when his wife told him it needed a complete re-write.

The 1631 version of the King James Bible has been called the “wicked” Bible for the hilarious mistake:

Thou shalt commit adultery.

Even traditionally published books contain errors, such as Twilight’s confusion between “dust motes” and “dust moats,” and misuse of “than” and “then.”

It’s a rite of passage for new authors to have their work printed, flip open a random page, and realize they spelled “beach” as “bench.”

Unfortunately for indie writers, too many mistakes can tank your reviews and lower your sales. A good editor can help you avoid devastating blows to your creative reputation and future as an author.

Behind the scenes, editors will also provide valuable insight and suggestions to help you improve your craft and write with confidence.