How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro

Taught by:

Sign in to enroll

Overview


The ability to self-edit is a skill that needs to be in every author's tool belt.

But why should you self-edit? Just send your manuscript to a freelance editor instead! Well, it’s a foolish use of your resources to get professional editors to correct simple errors you could have caught on your own. Instead, let them focus on the substance of your book — where they can make an impact by fixing your plot holes, flesh out compelling characters, and better tell your story.

Lisa Lepki of ProWritingAid is here to help you spot (and fix) the ten most common writing mistakes. These mistakes won't just make you seem like an amateur — they will also hinder your chances of landing an agent or securing a publisher.

All set? Get those red pens or erasers ready!

What you’ll learn in this course:

  • How to give your manuscript a technical edit, covering issues like sticky sentences, excessive pronouns, and overused words.
  • How to enhance your book with stylistic edits. This includes removing overly complicated vocabulary and writing with strong verbs instead of using weak adverbs as props.

Brought to you by: Lisa Lepki

Lisa Lepki is the editor of the ProWritingAid blog and Head of Marketing for ProWritingAid. Though she has over 15 years' experience in writing and marketing, she secretly loves the technical elements of writing more than the writing itself. Lisa is the co-author of The Novel-Writing Training PlanCreating Legends and 20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers, and is currently working on her first novel. 

Start this course
scroll icon

10-day writing and publishing courses

bulb icon

Learn in quick five-minute lessons

message icon

Lessons are sent to your inbox each morning

Continue learning

People who enjoyed this course also looked at the following:

Novel Revision: Understanding the Craft

In this free online course, author Alexander Steele of Gotham Writers Workshop provides a big-picture view of the novel revision process.

Taught by

View course

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

The key to a great novel often lies in rewriting. This free course will teach you how to do practical rewrites that can seriously boost your book's quality.

Taught by

View course

Story Editing for Authors

In this free 10-day course, best-selling author and CEO of Fictionary will take you through 17 story elements to help you perform your own story edit.

Taught by

View course

The Mechanics of Writing Dialogue

Editor Tracy Gold teaches you how to punctuate, tag and present dialogue in a way that your readers will thank you for.

Taught by

View course