Dear Lou,
I’ve written a book I plan to self-publish. I know this means that I’m responsible for any mistakes there may be in the book. What should I do to make sure that it’s ready to be published? I don’t know where to start!
Ron
Hello Ron,
As a self-published author and an editor to indie authors, I advise you to go through the following steps:
Declare it done: What do I mean by that? Once you think your book is finished, walk away from it for a while, and by that, I mean do not keep fiddling with it for at least a month! I know this may seem impossible to do, but it’s a very necessary part of the writing process.
A last read-through: Once you’ve managed to distance yourself from your book for at least a month, print it out in a different font from the one you used to write it and read through it again slowly and carefully. This will help you to experience it as a new reader would. Get a sense of what its essence is. Are you enjoying it? Does it shine? Does the writing seem effortless and simple, or jerky and complicated? If it feels good, go on to the next step; if not go back and fix what isn’t working for you.
Use beta readers: Now share your work with members of a writing group you belong to or find readers who are the target audience of your novel. Think very carefully about their feedback and incorporate their ideas into your manuscript. Don’t forget to give your beta readers a deadline if you have one, and be sure to return the favour if need be later on. Build up that good karma – it makes the world go round!
Hire an editor: At this point, it makes sense to hire a professional to look at your book. Beta readers are a wonderful resource for self-publishing writers, and although they will be able to tell you whether they enjoyed your book or not, they may not be able to tell you why. If you find that you’re faced with a long list of problems without solutions, call in the professionals. A developmental editor will know whether your manuscript is problematic due to plot holes, one-dimensional characters, unrealistic dialogue or Kilimanjaro-sized info dumps. A copy-editor will be able to spot the mistakes you haven’t seen, and never will at this stage. Basically, what you need is a fresh set of critical and experienced eyes during this last part of the writing process.
Lastly, remember that a book is a creative project of your making. You may look back on it in ten years and think, “Why did I write it that way?”, but know that if you go through the editing process correctly and are happy with the end product, you will have done something magical – you’ll have written a book you love at this moment in time.
That’s when you know your book is ready to be published.
Lou
