Often during research I run into this question more often than expected: “As a self-published author, do I have to edit my work?” To which the answer is resounding and emphatic, YES.  Writers are wordsmiths, and writing is a craft.

These names should be familiar to you: Stradivarius and Rolex. You know them because they are the pinnacles of their respective markets. If you want the best violin, you purchase a Stradivarius. If you want the best watch, you strive for a Rolex. These two names didn’t achieve their notoriety by accident. It is only through attention to detail in every product they sell in their given crafts of violin making and watch making, respectively, that these two brands were able to achieve the status we know and recognize today.

Now here is a name that may or may not be familiar to you: Bob Kramer. Bob Kramer is a modern craftsman, a master bladesmith, dedicated to the relentless pursuit of excellence. At one time there was a 4-year back order for Kramer’s knives that lasted 10 years. Currently the only way to be able to order a custom made blade is to enter a lottery. Now he has a mass-produced line you can find at Sur la Table, but that opportunity only arose out of his attention to detail in his craft, by obsessing over his blades and learning everything he could about the craft.

As writers we are inherently craftsmen, and should take our craft no less seriously in finishing our works than Kramer does in making his knives. We take words and we choose them and select them, and when they come together the reader can clearly see and understand the experience and the dedication of the craftsman based on the quality of the product. We’re not saying that you have to be Marcel Proust, and spend your entire life slaving away over one work, but at the same time you should endeavor for the pursuit of excellence in your work when you write. Don’t underestimate your readers’ abilities to find faults in your work. People who read voraciously can spot mistakes, and they won’t hesitate to let you know. Criticisms then become opportunities to become better and to refine your craft even further.

Over the next few posts, we’ll be sharing tips and tricks during the editing process. Be forewarned, hiring a professional book editor to edit your work is not inexpensive, but it’s not the only way to find resources to help you during the editing process.

If you’re ready to start your self-publishing journey now, hop on over to http://kbuuk.com and sign up your account it only takes a few minutes.