January 26, 2026

Hey, folks!

I understand the urge (and sometimes need) to find ways to save money when self-publishing. It’s an expensive endeavour! That said, turning to AI for editing is not the way to do it. Why?

1. Editors know and understand actual human cadence and nuance

This is something AI hasn’t perfected (and in my opinion, never will). Ultimately, text feels more natural when only worked on by humans. We can suggest adjustments that sound and feel natural, not just in and of themselves, but in context. Because sometimes, human speech and thought sounds weird, and we know that. We get it. Because that’s how our own brains work.

We can also enter into conversation with you to figure out what will work best. Maybe our suggestion doesn’t work, but you want to run another idea by us. We can riff off each other when the opportunity allows. No matter how many conversation points you put into AI, it’s still a machine you’re talking to. That can only take you so far.

2. Editors feel empathy

Our humanity allows us to feel for your characters and for you. That comes through in the language we use to edit your content, and in the moments where we can help you improve upon your writing skills. Because yes, working with an editor? It can be a learning experience. It can make you a better writer.

Do you also want to know whether your scenes emotionally hit the way they’re meant to? An editor will tell you. Even in the barest of edits, if we sob or laugh uncontrollably at something you wrote? We will freak out at you. Can AI do that?

3. We’re your cheerleaders

While working together and beyond! You get an actual relationship out of an editor, which can do wonders for not only your writing but for your self-esteem around it. Like I said, we freak out while working with you. We tell you what works well, not just what could use improvement. And when you’re published? We tend to shout LOOK WHAT MY CLIENT DID!! in one way or another.

And perhaps most importantly, at least ethically:

4. We don’t operate off of stolen work.

Period.

(It’s even in the contract you’ll sign with me, which also stipulates that you can’t use gen AI when it comes to writing, editing, or rewriting, either.)

But what about scammers? I don’t want to risk working with one.

A valid concern! There’s been more so-called “editors” creeping up on social media, on platforms like Upwork, and so on. It can be scary sharing your work with someone you don’t know if you can trust. But there are things you can do to significantly reduce your chances of being scammed:

• Ask for a sample edit. If the editor doesn’t agree to do one (for free, at least up to a certain number of words), then it’s a red flag. If they do one and you don’t like what you see (whether or not it seems professional!), don’t hire them.
• Ask line/copy editors whether they’ll provide a style sheet, and what’s included in it. (They should, and they should know what goes into one.) You could even ask to see their template! For reference, a style sheet comprises all the spelling/grammar/style choices for a given work, as well as having details about the characters, locations, and timeline of a story where applicable. This is important, because you can provide it to your proofreader to use while they work (or to your copy editor, if you’re doing line and copy edits separately).
• If they have certificates listed anywhere, ask to see them. Know that not every editor has certificates! Their absence isn’t a red flag, but saying they have one and then not having the documentation to back it up is fishy.
• Editors may not be able to provide samples of their previous work because of contracts, so don’t be alarmed if they’re not able to provide any. But you can ask for client names or reach out to people listed in their portfolio to ask what their experience was like working with the editor.
• If you want to work with a newer editor, it can be worth taking the risk! But asking for a sample edit, for style sheet info if they’re a line/copy editor, or for certificate proof when listed is always a good idea. Those apply no matter how experienced an editor is 🙂

Want to work with a human editor?

I’m one such human! Fill out my contact form or send me your questions at kailadesjardinsediting@gmail.com.