They exist. They are called writers who know how to edit. Most writers need editors because of the two d's: 1. Distance 2. Deadlines Distance is necessary to

They exist. They are called writers who know how to edit. Most writers need editors because of the two d's: 1. Distance 2. Deadlines Distance is necessary to read your work as a reader and not a writer. In order to polish your writing you have to have an insane amount of empathy for your reader. It's hard for people to edit their own work because it's hard to forget what you know. You know what you've meant by a phrase, of course, but your reader, coming from who knows what background, may not. Your diction, metaphors, etc. may be more idiosyncratic, arcane, limited, or just plain confusing than you realize. We're talking a whole tabula rasa situation which is not easy to pull off. As to our second d, deadlines, they prevent writers from being able to address the first d alone. As with any art, critiquing your own work from the perspective of the audience takes 'fresh eyes', 'fresh ears'--when you're grinding on a piece you become so involved it's hard to look at it from the audiences perspective unless you have sufficient time (sometimes months) to step away and get your brain out of creative/obsessive mode. you're blessed if you actually have the time to simply take off from your writing like this. As such, an editor is your stand in--a set of fresh eyes that can vouch for the audience while you keep grinding away and ensure your hit that deadline.