Tag: grammar

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Writing Tip #5: Editing!

Next to a great writer is a fantastic editor! If you’re like me and can’t professionally self edit your own book (some people can but it’s always key to have an extra set of eyes on it even after you do it by a professional).

This could also serve as step # 4 depending on how many edits you really need. A lot of the best writers need a lot of editing. Some have the story in them and write the book but don’t know how or have the skill-set in regards to grammar or spelling…some writers who know that they need a lot of help in this regard may even take a community college course on writing, or an English class to help them strengthen this part or go through organizations that offer these classes.

If this is the case for you then you may want to get your book professionally edited first at least the first round before you get beta readers.

You don’t want your beta readers hung up on grammatical errors and misspelling. You want them to be able to sit and read the book as if it’s shelf ready or very close to it.

I have a great editor out of Arlington Texas and when I say she’s great, she edits your book and your voice is not lost after she does her edits. It is very important to find an editor that will match your voice.

This is going to be a very important relationship and partnership with your book so choose your editor wisely. It’s also an investment so please read their bio, talk to them. Find out their rates (editors charge per page), how many other books they have successfully edited, get references to talk to those authors, even review those authors books.

Get a sample of edits. Some of the best editors I have met have offered to edit a few pages of my book for free or show me edited pieces so I could determine if they would be best for what I needed. 

Charging per page is how they make their money. Some editors will offer two rounds of edits some will offer 3 and if you need morethan that then they must charge you more. This will all be in your written contract that you both agree to and sign. Also, in that contract they will have payment methods as well.

After that first round of edits, your editor will send the book back to you and now it’s your turn to take their edits and either do more character development, move things around and then you send it back for round two and sometimes there will be a round three. It’s okay to cry or weep when you see the amount of edits that have been made. (It’s okay)…go through edits page by page and take your time. Don’t freak out!

After your book is completely edited then read through it yourself to see if there are any lingering glitches then you can either give it to your Beta Readers if you haven’t already or take it to the next step of turning your manuscript into a book!

Stay tuned for the next step as we will discuss typesetting, book cover design and more.

Remember...you will be self published. It takes time but in the end you will birth your book! Cheers and thanks for stopping by!

 

 

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Writing Tip #3: Read Your Own Book and Then Copyright It

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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!