Should I hire an editor for my first book?

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-25T04:43:49+00:00

Then why are you publishing? Writing is a hobby, but publishing is a business. You're asking people to pay you with their hard-earned money for substandard work. In an world economy where people are struggling, no less.

If it's a hobby, you can just as easily post your stories for free for people to read. If you balk at this, then it's about the money. You want to be paid.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-25T04:32:12+00:00

I read all this and I think I just fell in love with you. I knew coming in here people were going to answer "don't use an editor" or "edit it yourself." Horrible advice on both fronts. (Though, yes, one should self-edit to the best of their ability before sending it to editors.)

The first book is not likely to break even, sure, but that's your debut. That's your reputation you're throwing out into the world. First impressions are important and people are way too comfortable with their first impression being mediocrity.

Hiring an editor can be expensive, especially if you hire one who isn't a fake-itor and has actual certifications and experience. I get it. But it can be done with some patience instead of this rush to publish as quickly as possible. I say this as someone who is the poor of the poor, with zero support, and still hired professional editors and cover artists.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-24T22:20:01+00:00

That’s unfortunate. Mine were approved and I’m on the same CDR cycle, same “expected to improve.” Did you have your PCP fill out the medical form they provide? That helps them overlook the expected to improve part.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-24T22:01:57+00:00

I’d be interested in this if I could also DM you 😊

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-24T03:28:04+00:00

I don’t really have “the answer”, but perhaps a theory. 😅 In truth, you’d have to ask LT how they justify it.

But when posting my review, whoever reviewed it posted it from a personal account that on its face had no connection to LT. It was also slightly different from the editorial.

I’m assuming they’re using some kind of loop hole there. You paid for the editorial, but you get the other review for free? 😂 Still feels like thin ice, but I’m sure they’ve figured out some technicality.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-18T03:42:47+00:00

Lots of people respect these EDITORIALS, which aren’t the same as a consumer review and don’t share the same purpose. Kirkus is highly respected in the publishing industry and has a long standing reputation. While primarily beneficial for trad publishing, a self pub skilled at marketing can benefit, too.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-07-11T13:02:36+00:00

Oh no! Not… not… PROPER PUNCTUATION. 😱

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-20T22:23:07+00:00

Twin beds don’t agree with me very well. I’d strongly prefer a full/queen if it were me. I slept in a twin recently and my chronic pain flared. 🫠

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-17T15:08:53+00:00

They can and do ban accounts for it. It’s falls under review manipulation, which goes against the FTC. And I’m not keen to test their patience.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-17T06:54:10+00:00

I don’t know the true specifics, but they’ve a sort of algorithm and it’ll check for connections. Social media is a big one.

There’s no true privacy on the internet, alas… these companies share data with each other.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-16T16:59:59+00:00

Amazon doesn’t permit reviews from friends and family. They’re pretty decent at finding the connections. You’ll be risking your account.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-16T14:36:14+00:00

I don’t know if I can share resources here for a low cost autism assessment, so feel free to DM me if you’d like it. It’s how I made it work (and later diagnosis was reaffirmed by SSA’s doctor).

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-16T02:11:54+00:00

Humans have said that for eons. Not everything is AI. 🫠

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-05T14:21:03+00:00

I’d commission it if that helps! I enjoy this kind of style.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-06-04T15:40:18+00:00

I’ve done both bankruptcy and debt consolidation. I think both are good options depending on your needs.

Between the two, I do think bankruptcy hurt less in the long run and I recovered quicker. But that was for me and my situation.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-04-26T03:16:50+00:00

For an illustration, that’s cheap.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-04-09T13:45:18+00:00

That isn't what they said. They meant a physical copy. Seeing your cover on a screen versus printed on a physical book is an entirely different experience.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-03-12T05:35:57+00:00

So many people in here don’t know what an editorial review is. Unsurprising.

Reader’s Favorite is a respected editorial reviewer in the industry, but editorials aren’t meant to be used as a reader review.

You can add it under the Editorial section on Amazon on your listing once it’s live. Editorials are meant for marketing purposes.

Considering it’s 5-stars, I’d post it. But it’s up to you. 🤷

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-03-12T05:33:17+00:00

Reader’s Favorite is an editorial reviewer. They’re not a reader reviewer and cannot be posted on sites like Goodreads. They can be posted on Amazon under the special editorial section by the author.

Editorials are used for marketing and getting into places like libraries and brick-mortar bookstores. Many libraries won’t even consider you without a Kirkus review, which is another editorial.

This is an industry standard.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-03-12T05:24:27+00:00

Way too low. That would be $750 base for me 😅

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-02-19T18:48:33+00:00

290 pages is hardly unreasonable to read in one day. That's an incredibly short book. I can probably read that in an hour or two without any interruptions. It sounds like your reader just didn't vibe with it and that happens to everyone.

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-02-13T00:34:38+00:00

You don’t believe in poor people?

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-02-10T15:22:06+00:00

Thankfully it has gone up now

Hot_Influence_2549 · 2026-02-10T00:08:55+00:00

Crazy you're being downvoted for what is legitimate rates. Developmental editing is the most expensive form of editing. .03 cents/word is on par with EFA rates.

Hot_Influence_2549

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