I love the way this article—from an indie author—on Jane Friedman’s blog begins:

Do you need an editor?
The answer is yes.

The word is getting out, y’all.

The article asks three key questions—

1 Do you need an editor?
2 When should you hand over your manuscript?
3 How do you find an editor?

—but it’s jam-packed with useful information,* including the answer to the second question, which is:

You need to hand over your manuscript at the point where there’s no improvement left for you to make on your own.

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

* I disagree, however, with the idea of a sample edit. This works, perhaps, with a copyedit—and the author is careful to distinguish between content editing and copyediting—but there is simply no way to “sample edit” content. If you’re curious about all the things a content editor might look for, read my series of seven posts called “How Did This Book Get Published?” Here’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Tweet: Do you need an editor? Of course you do.
Tweet: When you can’t do another thing to improve it, give your manuscript to an editor.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”