Why and How to Re-Edit Your Self-Published Novel | Author’s Insights

Publishing Let It Fall was a dream come true. After spending years writing and editing, and months learning how to publish it, I couldn’t wait to see it in my readers’ hands. I felt eager to hit the Publish button as soon as everything was done. And once I did, it felt…incredible.

Now, a year later, I’ve decided to go back and re-edit my book. It’s no easy task, if I remember correctly from a year ago. But I’m convinced that it’s time to re-visit my debut novel. You might wonder why I’d want to re-edit a published work, especially after it’s already out in the world.

Here are the reasons behind my decision, and why you might consider doing the same if you’re an aspiring writer looking to self-publish.

I Re-Read the Book and…

It’s simple. I found a mistake. That one mistake made me skeptical. Had I made more mistakes that slipped through the cracks in the initial manuscript? Errors can be distracting for readers and can take away from the overall experience of the book. I want Let It Fall to be as polished as possible, so finding and correcting any mistakes became an itch I needed to scratch.

A Year Can Teach You A Lot

Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot more about writing and editing. With this new knowledge and experience, I can see areas in my novel that need improvement. Re-editing with a more experienced eye allows me to improve the quality of my work. My readers deserve the absolute best, and they will get the best version of Let It Fall soon. But to achieve that, I need to sit down and re-edit mybook.

Time to Listen to the Readers

They say that writers should never read the reviews their books receive. I agree to some degree. But after the release of my debut novel, I was eager to see what people were thinking about my book. And while a lot of people loved it, there were some reviews that made me think about all the improvements that I hadn’t considered.

Debut Novel Sets the Record

My first novel, Let It Fall represents me as an author. If it’s not my best work, how can anyone believe the next one will be? If it’s filled with errors or underdeveloped characters, it might make readers hesitant to pick up my future books. Making sure that this novel is as strong as possible helps build a solid foundation for my writing career.

I Self-Published When I Had Zero Budget

When I first self-published, I had a zero budget. This made it difficult for me to seek professional help when it came to editing my book. I have generated some revenue from the book now, and it seems only fitting to invest back in the book. After I’m done with giving it a once-over, I can afford to invest in professional editing and design services.

A Tip for Aspiring Writers

Let your book sit for a few months before giving it a final round of editing.

Why? Taking a break from your manuscript allows you to return to it with fresh eyes. When you’ve just finished writing, you’re too close to the material and might overlook errors or weak spots. By stepping away for a while, you’ll be able to see your work more objectively and make better editing decisions.

Conclusion

Deciding to re-edit Let It Fall a year after its publication wasn’t an easy choice, but it’s one that I believe will greatly benefit both my book and my readers. If you’re an aspiring writer looking to self-publish, remember that the process doesn’t end once your book is out there. Be open to revisiting and refining your work—it’s all part of the journey to becoming the best writer you can be.

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Share your thoughts? Do you think a writer should go back to their published work for a re-edit? Why?