Seattle Teachers' Press Editorial Services offers useful services for writers such as editing, book layout, book cover design and indexing.
Why do writers employ editors?
Writing and editing are two components of a complex process...read more.
In this process, writers are necessary and editors are theoretically dispensable. Writers can and should be able to “self-edit.” In other words, the writer can be the editor as well. Nonetheless, it’s a fact that collaboration with an editor is a common practice. Why would a writer, particularly one adept at self-editing, want to employ an editor?
- An editor can help a writer produce higher-quality writing by having a different perspective and by being able to see flaws that, though seemingly simple or obvious, the author wasn't able to perceive. As one of our clients said:
“I need an editor because I cannot read my own stuff for comprehension...my eyes skip what is wrong on the page, and my mind fills in what is missing... It's always perfect, as far as I can tell.”
- A problem for some writers is that assuming the critical attitude of a self-editor may be a hindrance to production of content. Some writers may find it difficult to switch back and forth between the two functions—they get stuck in an editing rut (leading to writer's block).
- A writer’s interaction with an editor may actually constitute a method of stimulating the production of content (cf. “bull session,” “brainstorming” in groups).
- Even if we assume that, given enough time, a lone writer could eventually produce prose of sufficient quality and quantity, an editor may be able to speed up the process. Perhaps, by delegating some tasks to an editor, the writer can become more productive in a Ricardian sense.
- Most writers want to test out their manuscripts and get feedback from test readers. They can ask friends and relatives to help them out (and the more feedback the better), but an experienced editor's feedback is likely to be more insightful and timely.