Fiction Editing for Self-Published Authors
...But Which Service?!
Not sure which service your manuscript needs? You’re not alone - nearly every writer wonders what type of editing will suit their manuscript in its current state or whether their manuscript is ‘ready’ for editing. Don’t panic, I have your back! The below is a rough step by step guide of the self-publishing process, with each of the services I offer highlighted at the correct point so you can feel more confident in selecting the right package for you and your manuscript.
Please keep in mind that the below is based on my own self-publishing process that made the most sense to me and isn’t set in stone. You may have done a few steps in a different order and some steps may run concurrently (such as Marketing, which you can pretty much start at any point). And don’t get hung up on draft numbers, some writers need only a few drafts before reaching the editing stages, others need hundreds. There is no right or wrong - it's your manuscript.
Outling/Brainstorming
Where planners plan, pantsers muse, and plantsers plan their muses.
Drafting
Where you try to get what's happening in your head to look as good on paper.
Self-Editing
Where you boot characters out of the story, cut scenes, and re-write the same sentence seventy-three times.
Beta Reading
Where your manuscript goes out for a practice lap and you cry under the covers in fear of what people are going to think.
More Self-Editing
Where you consider beta reader feedback and the tinkering happens.
Developmental Editing
Where your chosen editor picks at any plot holes and gives your characters twenty questions.
Line Editing
Where, after developmental adjustments, your chosen editor makes sure your manuscript doesn't suffer from word salad disease.
Copy Editing
Where, after more adjustments, your manuscript goes through a technical scrub and typos are evicted.
Formatting
Where you get your ISBNs, sort your copyright, and get emotional writing the acknowledgements.
Legal-ing
Where your manuscript starts to look like a real book!
Covering
Where your manuscript gets it makeover and everything starts to feel very, very real.
Proofreading
Where everything is double, triple, and quadrable checked, and you try not to panic.
Marketing
Where you try not to sound like a needy, begging sales rep and hope that people will buy your book.
Publishing
Where you get to hold your book baby like a proud parent - congratulations!