The most important staff on the book is the editor. None of the major publishing houses outsource their editors. What is outsourced is a few additional reads for copyediting of spelling, grammar, and usage.
An editor will make an author take a book through several drafts, and often have the author make major cuts and additions. A good editor will force the author to make the small changes that make a book have a compelling emotional arc. The difference between "moving" and "flat" is often just a few sentences. A good editor actually has the power to demand a better performance out of the author--like a good coach on a sports team.
"Pay somebody money, problem solved." Is this like programming? I need someone to build a web app, so I just pay somebody money, problem solved?
I'm not trying to say that the publishing industry isn't going to undergo big changes, but your comment seems to me dismissive of a profession requiring dedication and creativity.
Gavin: there are editors for hire, and have been for sometime now, as organizations outside the publishing houses. And I expect more (freelance editors) to come when they realize that the balance of power is shifting to favour the author.
Absolutely. Heck, if you know the right people, you can even freelance hire the same editors who are working at major houses right now. (Side note: if anyone at HN wants that, I'd be happy to make the introductions.)
My only point is that the editorial process is important and finding a good editor just as difficult as finding a good designer or programmer. It's not a problem you just throw money at.
For this purpose you could even argue that going freelance is better because you get to choose your editor and have control over choosing a new one if that person leaves the profession or isn't any good.
An editor will make an author take a book through several drafts, and often have the author make major cuts and additions. A good editor will force the author to make the small changes that make a book have a compelling emotional arc. The difference between "moving" and "flat" is often just a few sentences. A good editor actually has the power to demand a better performance out of the author--like a good coach on a sports team.
"Pay somebody money, problem solved." Is this like programming? I need someone to build a web app, so I just pay somebody money, problem solved?
I'm not trying to say that the publishing industry isn't going to undergo big changes, but your comment seems to me dismissive of a profession requiring dedication and creativity.