I talked myself out of a gig yesterday.
On a call with a potential client, I served as educator, not necessarily as expert service provider. The upshot: the author’s manuscript is not ready for sentence-level editing.
In a follow-up message, I recapped the publishing process for self-publishing:
1. Write the story.
2. Edit the story. This begins with rigorous self-editing, may involve beta readers and/or editing software, then proceeds to developmental editing (hire an editor), revision, line/copy editing (hire an editor), and another round of revision. If line/copy editing results in substantive revision and/or rewriting, I strongly recommend a second round of professional line/copy editing.
3. Write the back cover blurb and have it edited.
4. Design the book. If you’re not experienced in page layout, then hire a book desigher.
5. Design the cover. If you’re not experienced in graphic art, then hire a cover designer.
6. Proofread the whole shebang: interior pages, front cover, spine, back cover. Hire a professional proofreader for this. The proofreader will coordinate with the book and cover designers who will implement the corrections.
7. Upload the files.
The author expressed surprise at the steps recommended to produce a quality book. That author wasn’t the first with whom I’ve spoken who did not understand the process. Following the process, all the gears will coordinate the movment and continue forward progress.
Publishing involves several moving parts. To do it well requires a team of professionals.
I’m one of those pros.
mycatsays
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