Don’t you have enough to do? – AKA it’s time to launch an editorial services business

‍For many years, I considered the creative side of my writing business to be the most important aspect of being an author. After all, if you’re not producing the next novel for your readership, what are you even doing with your life? It’s certainly true that, if you want to sell books, you must write them – and more importantly, keep writing them, ideally putting them out at regular intervals.‍

However, life isn’t always like that. I’m not unusual in being someone who has to juggle writing alongside working full time and dealing with all the responsibilities that come with family life. That stuff can get in the way, which was my experience in 2025, when I didn’t put out a new release for the first time since 2020. It’s true that audiobooks and omnibus editions of my work have been released in 2025 and 2026 (go check them out – they’re great!). However, releasing a new book annually is the accepted norm in this industry, and it’s hard to maintain visibility if you don’t keep to that schedule.‍

Even as a full-time author, you must still divide your time between creative work, marketing and the administration of your business. You could be doing everything right, balancing all of that and putting out one novel per year like clockwork. Whilst 2025 might have been a roaring success, your brilliant new 2026 release could still fall flat. It’s difficult to accept, but luck plays a huge part in this business, and you have to be prepared for your fortunes to vary wildly each year.‍

This is one of the reasons why most authors have a job which pays the bills. It’s also why many of them have a sideline, such as editing, cover art, ghost writing and so on. Those jobs help offset the periods when the monthly royalty cheques wouldn’t stretch to buy you a carton of milk.‍

I’m currently spending more than I’m making as an independent author (again, not uncommon). Cover and interior art costs money, as does maintaining a website, utilising services such as Bookfunnel and Canva and so on. I’ve begun diversifying my income streams with things like direct sales and audiobooks. I see editorial services as being the next logical step in this journey, even if that means my own creative output may slow down as a result.‍

I self-edit my own work and have learnt a lot over the last five years since first publishing independently. My skill levels have increased considerably, to the point where I think I’m able to offer something to other authors. I’ve also developed my understanding of where I benefit from outside input. I’m strong when it comes to line editing, copy editing and proofreading. However, I’ve always made sure each of my novels has a developmental edit once I’ve produced the first draft of the manuscript. At that point in the creative process I’m way too close to the material to be able to see its shortcomings, or where it’s confusing for a reader.‍

More importantly for the purposes of this article, I enjoy editing. I love honing the text and seeing those small improvements which make such a difference to the final manuscript. This is not a universal author experience. I know many of my author friends hate this stage, and are very happy to outsource this element.

Wait a minute, though. Isn’t AI about to make this venture obsolete?

That depends upon your perspective. AI is constantly developing, and I’m sure if you asked the programme of your choice nicely, it could edit your latest manuscript and produce good work. I think a lot of this comes down to your views about the role humans play in creative spaces, and what it means to be creative in the first place.

I don’t want to use AI to help me plan, write or edit my own manuscripts. The main reason is because these are all activities I really enjoy. This is where I find the pleasure in creative writing, so I don’t want to outsource that work to AI. I want to be involved in the creative process, not be a bystander in work which will carry my name.

Yes, AI can work faster than a human, and if you’re interested in producing a commodity then it has its place. However, if you want to experience the joy of being creative, I’d argue it has many more drawbacks.

Similarly, when it comes to editing, can AI really understand what it is you’re trying to convey as the author? Last year I wrote a piece about my views on AI more generally, acknowledging the impact on the industry was going to be significant not only for authors, but also the wider support services they use. On the point about editorial services, I wrote this, which I still stand by:

All my books have benefited from a development edit and I can’t emphasise enough how those moments of collaboration are often the difference between your work being good and becoming outstanding. I think there’s a real danger that in seeking to improve our efficiency we unconsciously settle for mediocrity, using tools which bypass the opportunity to collaborate creatively with another person. For early development edits I think human involvement is essential.

‍Put another way, I think a human can always bring something to another person’s work which can’t be replicated by a machine. I found being edited was enjoyable, positive and ultimately enhanced the creative experience, even when the feedback was critical. That critique was what I needed to unlock the full potential of a story.‍ ‍

If you’re looking for an editor to work with then have a read of the dedicated page on my website, which sets out my approach and rates in more detail. If you think we’d be a good fit, then I’d love to work with you!