First Impressions

As writers, we want to make a good first impression. However, we also want our books to make a good first impression. How can we do this? It is called editing! (BTW - aside from getting our books edited, we also need to edit query letters, cover letters, and book blurbs.) It probably is not the best idea to do the final editing on our own work. If we missed something the first few times through, we aren't suddenly going to find it. How many times have I thought my end product was good to go, then showed it to a friend that found a spelling or gramatical error, or a formatting error, or something that simpy did not flow well!

So what keeps me from hiring a professional editor? Money. And why should I hire a professional editor? Money. So far my books are not selling enough copies for me to know how they are seen by my prospective audience. That is a promotional issue.  That is another blog. I need to look long term, and budget for a professional editor. 

I am lucky, in that I do know a couple of professional editors. They may not accept my work, but they are a place to start. I know them, and I know their reputation. My suggestion to anyone looking for a professional editor is to review their credentials, then go over their reviews. See what other people think of their work. Then make sure that you and the editor are on the same page as to what they are offering. What I would be looking for is someone to review grammer and punctuation, to do an overview and see where there may be inconsistencies in the story, or where the plot doesn't flow well, and to look for things like the repetitive use of words. (I once read a very poorly written mystery where the same word was used nine times on the same page!)

You might also want to think about whether you want to wait until the editing job is completely finished before you review it, or whether you want to have an ongoing conversation with the editor about what is being done. Do what is comfortable for you, and what is comfortable for your editor.

What you are looking for here is a fully edited manuscript that looks professional, feels professional, and presents your work in the best manner possible.

(c) October 2019 Bonnie Cehovet

Reproduction prohibited without written permission of the author.

My Journey As An Author

My book, "Tarot, Birth Cards, and You" is out. Each step of the way I think I am fine, then when I get there I am nervous! It is incredible to have it in my hands, it is incredible to be able to actually sign copies and send them to friends! It is incredible that my friends are doing reviews of my book - which they do not have to do. I would have sent them the book anyway!

It is very strange to be on the other side of the interview table - answering the questions, rather than asking them. The questions have been very good ones, too! Including the one ab out whether I had another Tarot book in process, which I do. Subject dwelling in the mists, for now. Proposal is out to my editor, I will have to see what she thinks. If it is accepted, I am sure that she knows she won't be seeing the panicked little person that she saw the first time around. I know what questions to ask, this time, and I know a bit about the process.

Interesting things have been happening - did you realize that a package will get to Sweden before it gets to Western Canada? (They were sent on the same day.) I think I also have it down that I have to fill out customs paperwork to send anything out of country. (I grabbed a fistful the last time I was at the post office - it beats filling them out at the post office!)

I have to ask my editor about books from brick and mortar publishers going into e-book format. I am not sure how they handle that. I do suggest that people click the "Do You Want To See This On Kindle" button on Amazon.com - that might help.

Speaking of clicking buttons - many of us are now using Google +1. When you see this on someone's site, blog, or article - please take the time to click on it. Unless you don't like the site, blog, or article - then just be polite and move on.

Focus for this coming week - edit my Power Point for my webinar with Linda Marson. Thank you Linda for setting the files up for me - I would not have had a clue!

(c) September Bonnie Cehovet