Rung 1: Editing DIY vs. Professional

DIY editing is dangerous — mistakes go straight to print.
Small publishers won’t fix your flaws.
Professional editing = investment in credibility.
Levels of editing:
Proofreading (surface errors).
Copyediting (grammar, clarity, style consistency).
Developmental Editing (structure, pacing, arcs — critical for series).

Of course, it is useful to do your own editing before you pass it along to a professional...let's plan out how to save cost.