on Writers Helping Writers:
Self-publishing costs can add up, so one of the best ways to save money on editing is to take your story from good to great before bringing in an editor. This is also the goal for those seeking traditional publishing as well–not to save costs, but to stand out in the slush pile.
Whichever path you choose, it pays to have a clean, well-written story, and thankfully, there are plenty of free ways to strengthen your manuscript before you send it on to an editor or agent. Let’s look at 5 big ones.