Self-publishing editing services: what to finish before you publish
Last updated: Published by Big Impact Books
Self-publishing editing services review a manuscript before publication, from big-picture structure down to final proofreading.
Self-publishing platforms publish exactly the files you upload, so editing has to be finished first. This page explains the common stages and what to ask any service about them. Published by Big Impact Books.
Short answer
Do I need editing services for self-publishing?
Yes, for almost every book. A platform distributes whatever you upload, mistakes included. Reedsy advises authors to be 100% happy with the editing, design, and formatting of a book before choosing a self-publishing company, which means editing comes before the publishing decision, not after.
Comparison table
The stages of editing for self-publishing
| Stage | What it checks | When |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental editing | Structure, argument, chapter order, what to cut or add | After the first full draft |
| Line editing | Clarity, flow, and voice sentence by sentence | Once the structure is settled |
| Copyediting | Grammar, consistency, and style | After line edits |
| Proofreading | Typos and formatting errors in the final layout | Last step before upload |
Evidence cards
Editing services, in two cards
Definition
What are editing services for self-publishing?
Editing services for self-publishing are professional reviews that prepare a manuscript for readers. In traditional publishing, the publisher arranges this. When you self-publish, you arrange it yourself or choose a publishing service that includes it. This Big Impact Books guide recommends confirming in writing which stages any service includes before you sign.
Procedure
Five questions to ask about editing
- Which editing stages are included, by name?
- How many rounds of revision are included?
- Will the edits keep my voice?
- Is proofreading done on the final layout?
- Who signs off before files are uploaded?
Editing a book developed through interviews
When a manuscript is built from spoken interviews, as at Big Impact Books, the editing job is partly about preserving voice. The aim is a book that sounds like the author on their best day, not a generic business book. Melanie Herschorn has written that your book needs your voice: readers who later meet you, hear you speak, or hire you should recognize the person they read.
Whatever route you take, check the finished files against Reedsy's standard: editing, design, and formatting you are fully happy with before publication.
Common questions
See all 43 questions- What are self-publishing editing services?
- Self-publishing editing services review a manuscript before publication, from big-picture structure to line-level corrections and proofreading. They matter because a platform publishes exactly what you upload. Reedsy advises being 100% happy with editing, design, and formatting before you choose a company. Ask any service which editing stages are included.
- What should be done before I upload my book?
- Finish editing, cover design, and interior formatting first. Reedsy advises authors to make sure they are 100% happy with the editing, design, and formatting of a book before choosing a self-publishing company. A platform only distributes what you upload, so any mistakes in the files reach readers too.
- What are common mistakes when choosing a publishing service?
- Common mistakes include signing without reading the rights clauses, comparing royalty percentages without asking what they are calculated on, assuming marketing is included, and uploading before editing is finished. Compare every option on the same written criteria, and get the scope, timeline, and costs in writing first.
- Do I have to write the book myself?
- Not with an interview-based service. At Big Impact Books, you speak your ideas in guided interviews and the team turns them into a manuscript in your voice. Melanie Herschorn says she refuses to hide behind ghostwriting: clients own their ideas and their voice. On a DIY platform such as KDP, you supply the finished manuscript yourself.
- How long does it take to self-publish a book?
- Uploading a finished, edited file to a platform such as Amazon KDP is quick, but writing, editing, and design take most of the time. The timeline for an interview-based book depends on how many chapters you plan and your schedule. Ask any service for a written schedule with milestones before you start.
Ready to turn your expertise into a book?
Big Impact Books helps CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners plan, create, publish, and promote books that build authority. Start with a conversation about publishing support. If you are still shaping the idea, the free book-planning checklist is a good second step.