I’m reading a really good self published book on Amazon right now. The author is skilled, insightful, and occasionally beautiful. His story is interesting and original enough to have hooked me.

But …

He’ll never sell many copies. The first chapter is a mess. And he gives into the temptation of purple prose too many times.

Somehow, I waded through the first bit and forgave him his strings of adjectives, because I wanted to see what was coming. It helped that my Internet was out and I didn’t have much else to do.

I took a bit, but I realized I was reading a very strong first draft that just needed a good professional edit. I doubt it will ever get one, which is a shame.

I writer with himself for a editor is a like a doctor with himself for a patient, I think. I love many self published books, but I wish more self published writers would (if they can afford it) hire professional editors.