Some people ask why I don’t use a professional editor yet, so I wanted to explain it plainly.

For a full-length novel like Obsidian Dream (nearly 700 pages), a proper professional edit isn’t a few hundred dollars. Industry-standard rates are usually charged per word, not per book.

Depending on the level of editing:

• Developmental editing (story, pacing, structure): $5,000–$15,000+

• Copy/line editing (grammar, clarity, consistency): $4,000–$10,000+

• Proofreading (final pass): $2,000–$4,000+

A full professional edit can easily land anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000+ USD for a book this size.

That’s not a knock against editors — good editors deserve to be paid well.

It’s just not financially realistic for many indie authors, especially early on.

So instead, I:

• Self-edit extensively

• Use beta readers

• Revise repeatedly

• Take feedback seriously

• Make every final decision myself

When the time comes that the books can support that level of investment, I’ll happily hire a professional editor. Until then, I’m doing the best I can with the tools and resources available — and always learning as I go.

Transparency matters to me. This is part of the indie author journey.