If you’re self-publishing on Amazon from anywhere in the U.S.—especially if you’re a first-time author—it’s time to ask yourself: Are you really ready to hit ‘publish’?
Grammarly is a powerful tool. It catches typos, suggests better punctuation, and even flags tone inconsistencies. But if you’re preparing your manuscript for Amazon KDP, relying on AI alone could damage your credibility and cost you your audience.
At Verity Proofreading and Editing, we’ve worked with countless Amazon authors across the country—many of whom came to us after discovering the hard way that a clean Grammarly report doesn’t equal a professionally edited book.
Here’s why smart self-publishers trust a human editor to get it right—and why you should too.
Grammarly Is Smart—But It’s Not a Storyteller
Automated Tools vs. Editorial Judgment
Grammarly runs on algorithms. It checks spelling, grammar, and sentence structure based on probability—not purpose. That means it doesn’t understand the why behind your words.
Let’s look at a few common ways Grammarly falls short for Amazon authors:
- It “fixes” dialogue that’s meant to sound regional or realistic.
“Ain’t no way I’m goin’ back there.” becomes “There is no way I am going back there,” stripping your character of voice and authenticity. - It flags passive voice even when it creates mood.
In thrillers or mysteries, a line like “She was found by the riverbank” builds suspense. Grammarly will tell you to rewrite it—without understanding your intent. - It can misread complex sentence structures.
This leads to awkward or robotic edits that dilute your writing style.
As expert editor Louise Harnby puts it, “AI doesn’t know what works for your reader—it only knows what’s statistically typical.” That’s not good enough for your novel.
Real-World Example: The “Grammarly-Approved” Flop
One first-time novelist we worked with felt confident after using Grammarly Premium on her entire 80,000-word manuscript. But once her book hit Amazon, reviews poured in:
“The dialogue felt robotic.”
“The tenses were inconsistent.”
“Tone shifts made it hard to follow.”
After we performed a full line edit and stylistic review at Verity, the same book earned better reviews—and higher sales. The difference? A human editor who understood story, tone, and reader expectations.
What Human Editors Catch That Grammarly Doesn’t
1. Narrative Flow and Pacing
Does your story drag in Chapter 5? Are transitions smooth? Only an editor can assess that.
2. Consistency Across 200+ Pages
Character names, settings, tense, and tone—your editor keeps everything cohesive.
3. Genre Expectations
Romance, sci-fi, fantasy, memoir—each has unique style norms. Grammarly doesn’t know them. We do.
4. Reader Experience and Emotional Resonance
Your editor sees what your reader will feel. AI doesn’t feel anything.
5. Formatting for Amazon KDP
We review for Kindle readability, trim size guidelines, and print-on-demand formatting. Grammarly doesn’t even check indents.
What Publishing Experts Say
Jane Friedman, author of The Business of Being a Writer, advises:
“AI tools are great for early drafts. But for self-publishing success, nothing replaces a professional editor.”
The Editorial Freelancers Association echoes this:
“AI tools assist—but don’t replace—editorial judgment.”
Grammarly vs. Human Editors: The Real Difference
- Grammarly offers corrections.
- Verity offers clarity, consistency, and confidence.
AI doesn’t challenge your ideas, suggest better ways to express emotion, or make sure your voice stays strong from start to finish.
We do.
FAQs: Should You Trust Grammarly with Your Book?
Q: Is Grammarly Premium enough to publish with confidence?
A: Grammarly Premium is a great tool for catching basic spelling and grammar issues in early drafts—but it’s not a replacement for a professional editor, especially when preparing your book for publication. While it can help tidy up your writing, it doesn’t understand nuance, character voice, pacing, tone consistency, or reader engagement. These are all things that affect how your book is received by real readers on Amazon. Without the deeper insight and critical thinking that a human editor brings, you’re risking flat dialogue, jarring transitions, or overlooked inconsistencies that could lead to negative reviews and lost sales.
Q: Can I use Grammarly and an editor together?
A: Absolutely—and we encourage it! Using Grammarly before sending your manuscript to an editor can clean up surface-level errors and make the editing process more efficient. This can even save you money, since your editor can focus on the more complex aspects of your writing—such as flow, tone, structure, and emotional impact—rather than correcting basic grammar. Think of Grammarly as your digital pre-check and your editor as the expert who helps elevate your manuscript to its highest potential. It’s not one or the other—together, they make a powerful team.
Q: What kind of editing does Grammarly provide?
A: At best, Grammarly provides a form of light copyediting. It’s great for catching punctuation mistakes, repeated words, and typos. However, it doesn’t handle deeper, more critical editing tasks like line editing (which focuses on style and clarity), developmental editing (which looks at structure and storytelling), or proofreading for formatting errors specific to Kindle or print. Grammarly also lacks contextual understanding—so it may miss tone shifts, inconsistent character development, or pacing issues. In short, it provides a helpful surface check, but not the kind of professional editing that leads to five-star reviews.
Q: Will Amazon KDP reject my book if I only use Grammarly?
A: Technically, no—Amazon won’t reject your manuscript just because you relied on Grammarly. But readers might. While your book may meet KDP’s basic submission requirements, it still needs to resonate with readers to be successful. That’s where poor editing becomes a liability. Bad reviews caused by awkward phrasing, inconsistent tenses, or confusing narrative structure can hurt your reputation and sales. Self-publishing means you’re responsible for quality control—and readers expect a professional-level experience. A strong editor ensures your book feels polished and intentional, not auto-corrected and robotic.
What Amazon Authors Should Do Next
✅ Use Grammarly for your early drafts.
✅ Hire a professional editor before you publish.
✅ Ask for a sample edit so you can see what AI missed.
✅ Work with someone who understands Amazon’s formatting requirements.
And most importantly…
Don’t Let an Algorithm Define Your Voice
You’re not just uploading words—you’re building a reputation as an author.
At Verity Proofreading and Editing, we help self-published authors across the country turn “almost ready” into “publish-worthy.” Whether you need a full edit or a final polish, we bring clarity, consistency, and care to every page.
📘 Want to see what Grammarly missed in your manuscript?
Let us show you the Verity difference.
👉 Contact Verity Proofreading and Editing to request your free sample today. 812-946-7518
Verity Proofreading and Editing—Because your book deserves more than machine-made edits.
