When writers begin taking a serious look at self-publishing their book, they're often shocked to learn about the stages of editing. Developmental edit, copyedit, proofreading…and sometimes multiple rounds are required within each stage, depending on the state of the writing. This can cost the author thousands of dollars. Yes, that's right. And it is worth every penny. Here's why.

Working inhouse at one of the Big 5, I worked on books with enormous marketing budgets. Authors who got six-figure advances and walked with teams bustling around them. I grinded for years. I got mentored by two highly respected members of leadership. I read books. I studied my colleagues editorial letters. I watched those editors with many more years of experience mark-up chapters, rearrange sections, reword, cut, cut, and cut. 

Slowly, I took over my own book projects. I asked a lot more questions. I worked on forming authentic relationships with my authors. The books I edited began winning awards. I was promoted, then promoted again. 

Those years, and many more since striking out on my own, gave me skills that I now apply to authors who choose to self-publish their books. When I bring on a new client, I don't just edit their text. I offer my professional opinion on each of the elements that determine if a book will be ready for release. Titles, cover designs, back cover copy, BISAC category, and whether to print on white or creme paper. Why? Because those details, along with multiple rounds of editing, will make the book competitive in the marketplace. If you follow the steps, your book becomes competitive with New York Times' Bestsellers. 

When an author asks to work with me, I request they send me their first two chapters. Here's what I'm looking for:

Originality, thoughtfulness, heart.

If in these two chapters, I find any of the following, I know we probably won't be a good fit:

Sloppy punctuation, typos, missing words. 

You won't be ready for the work I'll be asking you to do if that's what you send me to review. 

Using the metaphor of building a house, I'll go through the 3 Steps of Book Editing, including what to do before sending the manuscript to an editor. I'll talk through do's and don't during the editorial process and share stories of clients, ranging from heart-warming to jaw-dropping. 

The overall theme of the presentation will circulate around “details." Details in building a house can be the difference between safe and deadly. In editing, the details tell the story of whether a book will live or die in the marketplace.