Tag: Books

 Someone asked a very fair question in the comments last week, so I’ll explain a little more about my self-publishing “credentials.”

I never submitted a manuscript or queried an agent before I decided to self-publish. I heard about self-publishing before I finished my debut novel, A Hidden Fire, and decided from the start that it was the direction I wanted to go. I published my first book in October 2011, and by June 2012, I was making a full time income. So I have been making my living from my writing for a little over a year and a half, and I have published nine books, two novellas, and a short story. I am a working writer. This pays the bills, and it does so better than any other job I’ve ever had. That’s where I’m coming from.

Now, editing.

I’m starting out with one of the most difficult publishing hats because we’re going in the order I use myself for publication, and after I finish a book, the next step is editing that book. Like I said last week, I’m no expert. I’m simply going to share the process I use to give you some insight as to how this all can be done by someone who has absolutely no background in publishing.

Now, I didn’t say I didn’t have any background in WRITING. I have a bachelor’s degree in English and was a technical writer for years. Because of that, I’m familiar with proper grammar and structure. If you are not, and are coming at writing from a different background, then educate yourself. Part of editing is on you, the writer, and part of editing should be done by a professional.

Yes, you need a professional. If you have lots of arguments for me about why your special snowflake book does NOT need an editor than good luck to you, and I’ll see you around.

Yes, I know they’re expensive. For my first book (when I was completely broke), I begged and pleaded with a friend who was a professional editor to help me. After that, any money I made from the first book went into the editing fund for the second book. Many editors are willing to work on payments. There are editors in many price ranges. But don’t forget, this is a business. And all businesses cost money to start up. Publishing a book is actually pretty cheap compared to most start-ups and your book is an investment that costs you nothing to maintain if it’s finished properly. So take the hit and pay for the editor. You’ll be happy you did.

Editing is kind of a big scary word that writers like to moan about on twitter. I know this because I moan about it on twitter. It’s not the fun part of writing, but it’s the part that makes your manuscript a book.

First off, before we talk about hiring anyone, I want to to talk about your part of the editing process. What needs to happen before a professional takes a look at your manuscript? Continue reading “The Magic Editing Hat: Turn Your Manuscript Into a Book”