Once you have written the book and are holding yourself accountable (or have an accountability partner to assist you with getting your book done) the next step as a writer is to read it yourself and go through your own set of edits. Yep, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and see if you like your own book and to start smoothing it out.
.
I am not a professional editor but I hire one after I read through my own book once or twice and flush it out so it makes sense and is grammatically sound. Afterwards I then submit my book to get copy written before it goes to the editor.
You may ask, “Why should my book be copy written before getting it professionally edited?” I have an editor who is trust worthy, but you want to be careful of your work of art. I have a built trust with my editor but even she told me she would rather read it a copy written book. If your book is not copy written then anyone can state that your book is there’s unfortunately if they are dishonest (it has happened in this industry)! If by chance you love to write but you know you need a lot of assistance with sentence structure and your book still won’t be grammatically sound even after you do your own set of edits, then make sure to add a clause into your editing contract that states that your book is owned by you and you only and even after the book is edited it is your property (you get the gist). Then maybe after the first round of edits from that editor send it in for copywriting.
.
.
You definitely want to make sure your book is edited and copy written before you even put it in the hands beta readers (we will review that part the next step) you want to start the copyright process once you write the book. Get your book legally protected by going to www.copyright.gov
.
This website is the Library of Congress’s website solely for getting your materials copy written. You can upload your manuscript as a PDF into this website and generally the cost to copyright your book is between $45 to about $60. The minute you submit your work it is copy written. It will take weeks to months (depending on how busy they are) for you to get the copy right number and certificate in the mail. You will put the copyright number into your book as you can see in the picture below and it goes towards the front of your book.
.
.
Your copyright certificate will show the date of submission. This way your book is legally protected from the moment you click the submit button on the website unless there are any issues with your book. Once you receive it, please put it in a safe place (I know you know this already…but just in case you forget). Lock it away in a file cabinet for safe keeping.
.
Some issues that arise that my delay the process are using another author’s work without their permission or not mentioning them, if you are co-authoring a book you have to alert copyright.gov and the website will walk you through step-by-step and ask you if you were the sole author or of there are other authors and if there are any major contributions to your book.
.
As stated you also want to start the copyright process before you even let another friend or person read your book as a beta reader and in most cases before it is professionally edited unless you put a special clause in your editing contract. Better to be safe than sorry!
.
Thanks for reading this blog. Stay tuned for the next step which will talk about beta readers! Everyone doesn’t need to read your book before it is published (trust me)!
Cheers!