A bunch of (hopefully helpful) links
I have exhausted myself in editing and re-editing my book on my own. I have not yet saved up enough for a professional editor. I am currently looking for places to post my rough draft and receive feedback, editorial feedback if possible. I'm not sure where to go or look though.
I just read a How To book on self-publishing called APE (Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur), and they recommend Crowdspring:
http://www.crowdspring.com
But this may be limited to art (cover art, web design, and logos). I'm not entirely sure.
I think maybe Crowdsource does editing in a similar concept as Crowdspring, but I could be wrong. I came across this website a little while ago and saved it to look into more at a later date. I believe you pay a fee.
http://www.crowdsource.com
You could also check with local colleges. The writing department. You could put up a flyer in the department (or on their website, if they have one for jobs) and ask for students to edit your book. You'd have to pay something though.
One thing I've read over and over again is to not skimp on editing-- that if you only spend money on one or two areas, have it be editing and cover design. Advice like, "Do not ask your friend who is a high school english teacher, do not ask a magazine editor to function as a book editor," and so on.
That being said, I too am mostly doing my own editing.
If you don't have a copy of
Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, get it now. You can buy it used on Amazon for under $3.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/020530902X/?tag=absowrit-20
Might also want to pick up a copy of
The Chicago Manual of Style:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0226104206/?tag=absowrit-20
It goes for as low as $30 used.
It does also have a quick facts sheet for a few dollars:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1423218604/?tag=absowrit-20
Some additional sites to check out (
I hadn't remembered these when I mentioned the above sites, but these could actually be your best bet!):
Review Fuse:
http://www.reviewfuse.com "Writing Group for Honest, Quality Feedback"
Writer's Cafe:
http://www.writerscafe.org "The Online Writing Community"
Wettpad:
https://www.wattpad.com
Figment:
http://figment.com "Where writers write, meet, create, share, and connect"
Critique Circle:
http://www.critiquecircle.com "Online Writing Workshop"
Good luck to you! I'd be interested to know how it goes, whichever path you take