Author Services
Why I Offer Author Services
I talk with many people at markets who are at various stages in writing their book. I’ve heard stories about both good and bad experiences. The advances in independent publishing make it possible for anyone who’s yearned to write a book to make it happen. Unfortunately, many people are targeted by unscrupulous scammers who are happy to take their money without giving them the results they expect. One woman talked of paying thousands of dollars for a book with a cover she hates. She’d like to republish it, but now can’t afford to. Vanity presses will take your money and promise you the moon. They don’t always deliver on their promises.
I do not have a certificate in editing but I was once an English teacher, and I’ve been publishing for several years. I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work. My learning has come through:
- trial and error (Experience is key. I formatted my novels on Word for years and learned much as I tore out my hair.)
- working with several different editors with different styles (substantive and copy)
- reading and reviewing many books in many genres
- working through my own manuscripts and those of friends.
I’ve published several novels in different genres: urban fantasy, romantic suspense, mystery, and romantic comedy, a poetry collection, and my own nonfiction book. I even created a private digital cookbook so my family can collect and share our favourite recipes.
Below are three examples of interior pages, I’ve recently formatted. The first is nonfiction and includes an opening quotation and a footnote. The second is from a romantic suspense novel. The third is from my newest book, Writing with your Muse.
Book covers are a topic unto themselves. I’ve worked with a cover designer and I’ve created my own. Lure and Writing with your Muse are my own designs. It’s always a good idea to explore several covers in your genre and pull the ones you love and keep them in a file for when the time comes.
Developmental Edit
After you’ve drafted your manuscript, sent it to two or three beta readers, listened to their comments and perhaps made changes, you could be ready for a developmental edit. *Please note: beta readers are NOT your friends. You need someone to provide timely, honest feedback who reads in the genre you write.
Developmental or substantive editing involves a careful evaluation of a manuscript to point out its strengths and flaws. You want the editor to provide an honest appraisal, pinpoint the highs as well as the lows. It includes setting, character development, dialogue, story pacing, and writing style. The editor will make suggestions that you are free to keep or discard. Any rewriting is done by you as it is YOUR book.
Proofreading
Proofing is a light copy edit that focusses on fixing typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. It should precede formatting and also follow it. There’s nothing worse than picking up a beautiful book and finding errors, and it’s almost impossible to spot them yourself. Pro tip: Either read your work aloud or use the text-speech in your computer’s accessibility features. Seeing and Hearing will help you find those small errors.
Book Design—Manuscript Formatting
This is when your final draft—with ALL edits made—becomes a book file ready for you to upload as a PDF or Epub to a Print on Demand publisher such as Amazon KDP, Kobo, Draft2Digital, etc. Formatting is concerned with the visual layout and organization of typed material, and includes paying attention to things like margins, headings, images, graphics, plus front and back material (title page, table of contents, copyright, dedication, acknowledgements, and author bio.)
Are you ready?
Services
- Developmental Edit
- Proofreading
- Book Design
