D.B. Crelia asked P.P. Corcoran:

I'm having trouble justifying the expense of having my first novel professionally edited. How did you tackle the problem?

P.P. Corcoran It's tricky DB and I have to admit I've made editing mistakes. With my first book, Discovery of the Saiph, I didn't think anyone would buy it and I didn't have it edited, as I'm sure like you I didn't think I'd see that cash again. But Discovery started to sell and got generally good reviews on the storyline, but many comments about poor editing. At this point, probably 4 or 5 weeks after first release, I sent it for editing. I decided the readers who were paying for my work deserved to have a quality read, and to be honest I didn't like disappointed readers!

However, I made a second mistake. Due to my inexperience I chose a cheaper, but it turned out, poorer editing service. As a result I continue to get comments about editing and spelling (I think me writing in British English and the majority of my readers being US based doesn't help). I changed my editor for the next book to one based in New York and have had no negative feedback on it.

The other thing to consider, if you don't professionally edit your first book, is if even one reviewer picks up on it then every reader thereafter looks out for it - and the subject of editing constantly pops up.

Personally speaking, I want to make a living from my writing. I can't afford to turn readers off over editing, I need expert guidance and for me (on the whole) professional editing had been a worthwhile investment.

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