“Why do I need an editor? I’m the only one who knows what I’m really trying to say, and only I can revise my writing with that purpose in mind.” There is truth in that statement. As Arthur Glasser used to say, “There’s no such thing as good writing — only good rewriting.” But there’s a catch: Those of us able to put our “inner editors” to sleep long enough to actually write are often those whose inner editors need the most training and motivation. So how can you become a better editor? That’s a lifelong pursuit, I’m convinced. No project should see the light without a thorough review and revision at your hands. But some are more skilled and practiced at editing than others, and we’ve gained much of our expertise (no false modesty here) by working accountably on a wide variety of projects. Some of our skills involve communicating sensitively and clearly with writers. All that experience we can bring to bear on your project as well. Google Books has countless out-of-print resources on editing, production, publicity, etc., available free on the Internet or for little more than shipping charges. You can search online for leads to the books in libraries near you or even to PDF files viewable on your computer or other screen. Here I’m thinking of classics for writers and editors like The Art of Readable Writing by Rudolf Flesch. Also, quite a few up-to-date resources on self-editing are directed or recommended to Christian writers — for example, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King, recommended by ChristianWritersGuild.com — and they can often be found for a song via the Internet or for free at your library. Even our BelieversPress colleague Jeff Gerke has compiled a library of tips, advice, and principles at his website. If you really want to edit your own material, my response is, More power to you. It’s possible to save all kinds of labor and grief and false starts, however, if you rely on a professional, even at the least expensive level, because you can get some answers to your own specific questions in the process. A professional editor will look at your project both through the wide-angle lens and through the microscope. As a bonus, you will learn principles of good writing and editing, gain guidance for your own searches for further resources, and improve your skills. The question is simply how much the trade-off is worth to you. You may grow to rely on one or more editors of your choice or decide that you’ll procure such services for a limited time specifically to learn how to edit your own material. The beauty of this community is that it’s all up to you.