If anyone's self-published ebooks on here, did you consider outsourcing the editing etc. abroad? I haven't read many good reviews of overseas editors and copywriters so far. I am curious because this could save a lot of money assuming the overseas editor is competent.

[ephemeral]

You get what you pay for. As author, you (should) know the rules of grammar and syntax (and spelling); when errors appear, as they will, the first assumption is that you intended them. Blue penciling by publisher's in-house editors will be first as suggestions, "Did you mean this to read in this manner?" That is, is it a quirk of style, or an error?

Other editors, perhaps the overseas editors you ask about, well-schooled in academic English, tend to make the changes to your draft. And leave it to you to sort out after.

A fine difference, I suppose. Were it me, and I self-published, I would find the editor who understands me - before he or she touches a word or sentence of my draft version. And pay appropriately.

You get what you pay for. As author, you (should) know the rules of grammar and syntax (and spelling); when errors appear, as they will, the first assumption is that you intended them. Blue penciling by publisher's in-house editors will be first as suggestions, "Did you mean this to read in this manner?" That is, is it a quirk of style, or an error?

Other editors, perhaps the overseas editors you ask about, well-schooled in academic English, tend to make the changes to your draft. And leave it to you to sort out after.

A fine difference, I suppose. Were it me, and I self-published, I would find the editor who understands me - before he or she touches a word or sentence of my draft version. And pay appropriately.

This is good advice. I am looking to create an online guide targeted at a specific community of enthusiasts. As a college grad with a social science degree, my writing skills are above-somewhat above average. But, I'd like some help with proofreading just to be sure.
I am working on a shoe-string budget, so every expense has to be carefully considered.