Self-Editing Tips for Sci-Fi Fantasy Authors: Lessons from AJ McMullen
- AJ McMullen
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
I’m AJ McMullen, a sci-fi fantasy author and creator of the Aether Comic Book Universe. With novels like Legacy of the Arcanin Flame, The Darkest Day, and Before The Flame: Conspiracy Codex under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about the writing process—especially the part that can make or break your manuscript: editing. Today, I’m sharing my journey and practical self-editing tips to help aspiring indie authors polish their work without draining their wallets. Whether you’re a NaNoWriMo veteran or a new writer, these strategies will help you elevate your sci-fi and fantasy novels to the next level.
The Dreaded “E” Word: Why Editing Matters
Editing is the one word that can turn an excited writer into a literary disaster if not done right. Early in my career, I wrote four novels, each riddled with issues because I underestimated the editing process. My turning point came in 2020 during NaNoWriMo, when I wrote 50,000 words in November, thinking I had a publishable novel. I even posted online about my plan to publish in just a few months. The response? A swarm of comments calling it a “stupid” idea, with one person claiming my book was “bound to be trash.” Challenge accepted.
I dove into editing, reading my manuscript aloud to my wife (who’s smarter than me, by the way). She pointed out flaws in the developmental and copyediting stages. I ran it through Grammarly, Hemingway, and a text-to-speech app, thinking I had it under control. I published The Gem State Siege, sold about 500 copies, and then… realized there were major issues. Not with the story itself—readers loved the plot—but with small, pesky details like inconsistent number formats (e.g., “5” vs. “five”) and punctuation errors (like “A.M.” vs. “AM”). These mistakes taught me that self-editing is a skill every indie author needs to master.
The Self-Editing Debate: Can You Really Do It?
The internet is divided on self-editing. Some say it’s a recipe for disaster, insisting you need professional editors for developmental, line, and copy edits. But here’s the reality: professional editing is expensive. At around 10 cents per word, editing a single 80,000-word novel could cost $8,000 or more. For a new author like me—working full-time, living paycheck to paycheck, with a wife, kid, and a bottomless-pit of a dog—that’s not realistic. I wrote 289,562 words in six months, between a few novels. At $8,686 for editing, I’d be sunk.
Then there’s the “ask your friends” advice. Sounds great, until your cousin demands cream-colored paper printed in a specific hex code, only for your manuscript to end up scattered in her coat closet. Or you swap manuscripts with another writer, spend hours red-penning their work, and get yours back with zero feedback. These experiences taught me that relying on others isn’t always reliable—or free.
So, is self-editing bad? Not at all. If an English professor or professional editor can write and edit their own work, why can’t you? The key is dedication and the right tools.
Self-Editing Tips for Indie Authors
Here’s how I approach self-editing to produce professional-quality sci-fi fantasy novels without breaking the bank:
Multiple Editing Passes: I do three developmental passes (focusing on story structure, characters, and plot), two line passes (sentence flow and clarity), and four copy passes (grammar, punctuation, and consistency). Yes, editing takes longer than writing, but it’s worth it.
Read Aloud: Reading your manuscript aloud (or using a text-to-speech app) catches awkward phrasing and errors you’d miss on the page. My wife’s feedback during read-aloud sessions was a game-changer for spotting developmental flaws.
Use Editing Tools Wisely: Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, and ProWritingAid are lifesavers, but they’re not perfect. They can flag things that don’t need changing, especially in fantasy where made-up words are common. Use them to catch grammar, style, and consistency issues, but trust your judgment for creative elements.
Learn from Books: Invest in resources like Characters and Viewpoint, Scene and Structure, and Conflict, Action, and Suspense from the Elements of Fiction Writing series. These books teach you how to build compelling stories and self-edit effectively. They’re on my shelf, and while I haven’t read them all yet, they’re gold for any serious writer.
Commit to Learning: Self-editing is a skill you can master with practice. Study your genre, analyze top authors, and learn from your mistakes. The more you edit, the better you get.
The Indie Author’s Reality
Being a self-published author is like running a business. All costs—editing, cover design, marketing—fall on you. Unlike top authors with teams of editors, most indie authors don’t have disposable income to throw around. That’s why self-editing is a necessity, not a choice. The good news? With tools and dedication, you can produce a polished manuscript that rivals professionally edited work.
My Goal and Invitation to You
My dream is to become a full-time author, living off my sci-fi/ fantasy novels and Aether Comics content. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help you avoid the mistakes I made early on. If you’re serious about self-editing, tell me in the comments: What tools or books do you use to polish your novels? New authors need this info!
For more writing tips, NaNoWriMo advice, and behind-the-scenes Aether Comics content, follow my journey. Let’s stay fly and write on!
Keywords: self-editing tips, sci-fi fantasy writing, indie author, self-publishing, NaNoWriMo, editing novels, Grammarly, Hemingway, creative writing, fantasy novels, Aether Comics, AJ McMullen, writing tips
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