How to Edit a Book: 7 Steps for Self-Editing Your Manuscript

Turn your messy first draft into a polished, publishable book.

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So, you’ve finished your first draft. The excitement of typing “The End” is still fresh, but now the real work begins—editing. The editing process is where your story transforms from a rough concept into a polished, page-turning book. Editing your own work is tough—every writer struggles with it—but it’s also where the magic happens.

Facing your manuscript for the first time as an editor can feel overwhelming, but with the right editing tips and a clear step-by-step guide, you’ll get through it. A strong editing process sharpens your story, strengthens your writing, and brings out the best in your book. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Understand the goal of your book

Before diving into the revising process, you need to understand what your book is trying to accomplish.

Ask yourself: Who is your readership, and what do they want from your book?

What is the promise of your book, and are you delivering it? This is essentially what developmental editing is about—determining why readers picked up your book and making sure you’re fulfilling the promise you made them. No matter how fancy the writing or how beautiful your words, if you’re not delivering on the goal, the book will fall short.

Consider Harry Potter versus The Handmaid’s Tale—both are bestsellers, but they deliver entirely different experiences to their readers. Understanding the promise of your story, whether it’s the magic of a coming-of-age journey or the dark examination of a dystopian society, will guide you as you work through your round of edits.

What is the promise of your tale? Is it an epic adventure, an in-depth exploration of society through historical fiction, or a chilling psychological thriller?

For nonfiction, the goal will be different. Are you offering concrete solutions, or are you providing readers with a new perspective? Maybe you’re delivering a comprehensive guide or sharing stories that resonate deeply with everyday struggles. Knowing what you’re offering will help you determine if your book stays true to its mission.

Step 2: Do a readthrough

The next step in any book editing process is to simply read through your manuscript with fresh eyes.

This is not the time to make detailed edits or try to fix everything; instead, you’re just going through it like a reader, noting your first impressions. Especially if this is your first book, this approach will help you get a sense of what’s working and what isn’t.

As you read, mark up sections that stand out to you. Maybe a plot point feels confusing, a scene moves too slowly, or a character’s dialogue feels off. If you’re using Microsoft Word, use the comment feature to jot down thoughts like “too fast,” “don’t understand what’s happening here,” or “I hate this.” You don’t need to know how to fix anything yet; just acknowledge what’s not working.

At this stage, it’s about instinct. Did that chapter grip you, or did you find yourself skimming? Is there a section that feels like it needs a tweak, but you’re not sure how? Make those notes. You might even re-read certain sections to clarify your feelings.

This approach works whether you’re editing a novel, short stories, or anything else. By treating this readthrough as a gut-check, you’re laying the groundwork for effective revisions down the line. The goal isn’t to solve all the problems right now but simply to identify them. You’ll come back in later rounds to fix and finesse—right now, you’re just mapping out the work ahead.

Step 3: Do a big picture edit

Now that you’ve done your initial readthrough, it’s time for the big picture edit—the phase where you fix the major issues in your story. If the plot is messy, characters feel off, or plot holes create confusion, this is where you tackle those problems.

You’re not fine-tuning sentences yet—you’re fixing the story structure itself. Think of it as laying the foundation before working on the details. Ask yourself:

• Does the plot flow logically, or are there gaps and inconsistencies?

• Are the characters compelling, and do their actions and growth feel believable?

• Is the world-building clear, or do important details need expansion?

• Does the main character have strong motivations that drive the story forward?

A developmental editor would focus on these areas, but when self-editing, you need to look at your manuscript critically. Identify sections that need revision, spot plot holes that pull readers out of the story, and ensure character behavior makes sense.

This stage is a major undertaking, especially if you’re working on your first book or doing this full-time, but it’s essential for crafting a compelling story. Many successful authors, including Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, emphasize the importance of getting the big picture right first. It’s one of those writing tips that separates good books from great ones.

Remember, this type of editing isn’t about tweaking sentences—it’s about fixing issues that affect the entire story. Tackle the big problems now so your manuscript has the strongest possible foundation.

Step 4: Fix sequencing and scenes

Now that you’ve fixed the major story issues, it’s time to focus on sequencing and making sure everything is in the right place. Go through your entire manuscript to check the order of scenes, consistency in character names, and details like the weather or props.

This is where you ensure that if a gun appears in a later scene, it’s properly introduced earlier on. Everything should flow logically and be consistent throughout the story.

You also need to consider point of view—is the perspective consistent, and does it make sense in each scene? This step ensures that every element aligns and that the transitions between scenes feel natural. Think of it as getting the bones of the story perfectly set before moving on to the finer edits.

Again, you’re not fixing the writing itself at this point. There is no value in polishing sentences if a scene is in the wrong place or if key elements are missing. This part of editing may feel like a detailed chore, but it’s essential for making your story coherent and immersive.

Once everything is in place, you’ll be ready to move on to more detailed edits and finally polish the language.

Step 5: Do a line edit

Now it’s time to polish the writing. A line edit is where you take a close, line-by-line look at your manuscript to ensure that every sentence flows smoothly and every chapter starts and ends with a compelling hook. You’re focusing on style, clarity, and making sure that every word matters. This is also where you address grammar and syntax issues—turning your draft into something a copy editor would be proud of.

For a detailed and efficient approach, use an editing checklist. This will help you focus on every aspect of the text, from eliminating clichés to improving word choice. It’s all about making your writing shine, whether you’re preparing for traditional publishing houses, self-publishing on Amazon, or working with a freelance editor.

A tool like ProWritingAid can assist you in identifying problem areas. The goal is to refine your writing style so each word contributes meaningfully, turning your manuscript into a masterclass of storytelling.

Editing Checklist:

• Active vs. passive voice: Use active voice whenever possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. Eliminate unnecessary passive voice.

• Word choice: Make sure each word is precise and impactful. Replace weak or vague words with stronger alternatives.

• Grammar and syntax: Fix grammatical errors and ensure sentences are constructed clearly. Look for awkward phrasing.

• Spelling mistakes and typos: Run a spell check and manually scan for typos that automated tools might miss.

• Redundancies: Remove repetitive words or phrases. If two words mean the same thing, choose the stronger one.

• Commas and punctuation: Ensure that commas and other punctuation are used correctly.

• Adverbs: Limit the use of adverbs, especially those ending in “-ly.” Replace with stronger verbs where possible.

• Show, don’t tell: Look for instances where you can add detail to show, not tell the reader what’s happening or what a character is feeling.

• Clichés: Eliminate overused phrases that can make your writing sound stale.

• Hooks: Ensure that each chapter starts with an engaging hook and ends on cliffhangers that encourage readers to keep going.

• Spelling mistakes: Scan for spelling errors—especially in character names or key terms, particularly if it’s a nonfiction book.

• Cutting crutches: Identify and eliminate any “crutch” words or phrases you tend to overuse in your writing.

Doing a line edit will not only make you a better writer but also prepare your manuscript for the next stage in the publishing process.

Step 6: Read it aloud

Once you’ve finished copyediting, it’s time to read aloud.

This is one of the best ways to catch anything that still doesn’t sound quite right, whether it’s awkward phrasing, missed typos, or sentences that don’t flow smoothly. Reading the whole book aloud allows you to experience it the way your readers will, helping you spot inconsistencies, gaps in character development, or areas needing more polish.

If reading the entire manuscript yourself feels overwhelming, consider using AI tools that can read the manuscript to you. Alternatively, read the book to a family member or have them read it to you.

No matter how you choose to do it, hearing your words out loud is invaluable. It allows you to hear the rhythm of your writing, identify repetitive phrases, and ensure that the narrative flows naturally from start to finish. I consider it a crucial part of any editing or writing process.

Step 7: Final proofread and polish

This is the point where you put the finishing touches on your final draft.

Go through your manuscript one last time to ensure that everything—from spelling to formatting—is as polished as possible. This final proofread is essential whether you’re aiming for self publishing or seeking a literary agent for a traditional route.

For many writers, this is as far as they take the manuscript before letting others in, whether that’s beta readers or a professional editor. While this is optional, it’s often the next logical step if you want your book to meet industry standards.

By getting your work into the best shape you possibly can, you ensure that anyone who reads it next—be it a professional book editor or a literary agent—sees it at its strongest.

If you’re going the self publishing route, investing in editing services can be crucial for creating a professional, high-quality published book. A professional edit helps catch issues that might still be lurking and makes sure your book is polished and ready for readers.

This final readthrough is about making your manuscript shine—so that it’s as close to ready for publication as possible.