The Joy of Editing (Not!)

One of the first things I remember learning when I was in journalism school was that no one should edit their own work. This is great if you work on a newspaper because there are copy editors who do that for you. But if you are an aspiring author, and an indie author at that, what do you do? Editors are pricey, and most of us just starting out don't have the funds to allow us to hire a professional.

The first thing I do when I have finished a manuscript is to put it away for a couple of months. I work on my next book, take care of things that got left as I was absorbed in writing, whatever. When I pick it up again my eyes are fresh to be able to give it an initial edit/rewrite pass and make it as good as I possibly can.

The next step for me is to get some of my beta readers to read it and mark it up for me with the problems they find. After all that than it needs another fresh set of eyes to look at it and edit it. But, as an indie author who hasn't quite hit the big time, what do I do?

Swap with other authors who are in the same boat I am, or ask friends who are good editors to edit for me in exchange for being able to be one of the first to read it. Sometimes I promise a free copy of the book after it's published. Also offer to mention their efforts in the acknowledgements in the book whereby they may be able to get some work from other authors.

I'm sure there are other resources out there and ideas that I haven't tapped into yet, but there are always ways. My goal is to, at some point, be able to hire a professional service. But until that happens I have to be as creative in editing as I am in writing. We'll see what happens next!

Short Story

I've published a new short story on the website Smashwords. It's a story for the upcoming holiday, and available for your e-readers. And here's the best part: it's FREE!

Synopsis:

Ivy is lonely, and Thanksgiving is just another reminder of what is missing in her life. On an afternoon walk she encounters a family that seems to have everything she ever wanted. Is she destined to always be on the outside looking in, or can she find a way to change her life?

A Thanksgiving Afternoon is available in a variety of formats, and there's sure to be one that will fit your needs. http://bit.ly/shQVvQ

I hope you enjoy the story and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

There's More to Self-Publishing Than Meets the Eye

My mind is boggled. There is so much going on in the publishing world right now that it’s almost too much to take in. Almost. The fact of the matter is that there are more opportunities for writers now than ever before. Along with those opportunities come some immense responsibilities. If you are self-published, as I am, there is a mountain of work you need to do to keep your name and your books out there. There is no vast marketing machine behind you. And that impacts your day in a big way.

As an indie writer you need to allocate a certain amount of time every day to working on marketing. Blogging, tweeting, facebook interaction, emails, online forums. Book trailers, covers, beta readers and interviews, blog tours and more. There’s a lot more to self-publishing than simply writing a book and downloading it to a website to turn it into a print or an e-book. This means less time for writing, rewriting, editing, creating.

And while the work sometimes seems daunting, I wonder how much support a new author would get within the cogs of a big publishing house. Celebrities and established authors will always get the most attention, and with the economy being what it is exactly what would a publisher do for someone just starting out anyway?

There’s been a lot of discussion lately on other blogs asking if traditional publishing routes are better than self-publishing and I have to ask the question too. In my mind traditional seems like the Holy Grail. That’s what every writer out there would love to have: a book in print. To see it on a bookstore shelf or in the stacks at the local library would indeed be a heady thrill. I just don’t see it happening like it used to.

Agents are more reluctant to take on untried writers and publishing houses aren’t as likely to be interested in taking a chance on someone new. E-readers are becoming more prevalent and more affordable which allows readers to experience a greater variety in the books they buy. Independent writers generally keep their prices in the lower range which buyers find attractive and reading our stuff.

So for me self-publishing is the way to go. For now. Who knows what the future will bring? I want to write. I want people to read my books. I’m not looking to be a millionaire, I want to write. So my day must be divided up into other areas to allow me that time to write then that’s the price I pay. And readers will get my books and read and enjoy them so my efforts are not in vain.

That’s the payoff for me.