Editing your book as an indie author is NOT something you want your brother’s wife’s cousin’s uncle to do. How your book is editing reflects your credibility as an author and too many self-publishers cut corners on this process to save time and money. The result is less-than-perfect work, bad reviews, and reduced books sales.

As you build your editing team, know your sense of voice and build a team that you can work well with. BUT, you also have to put aside your pride at times and consider (and implement) their suggestions. Remember, if they are true professionals who are familiar with the publishing industry, they will have their finger on the pulse of what is needed to make your final product the best it can be.

The true editing process involves several profession editors including a least two copy editors and one content editor. To find qualified editors, search sites like Guru or Upwork and look for service providers who have qualifications like being familiar with the publishing industry and positive feedback from past clients. Please note your manuscript is not a term paper; it needs to be handled by professionals who eat, sleep and breath the publishing industry. Here are some details and reasons why you need Multiple Editors in your Book Editing Process.

Using Multiple Editors in your Editing Process | Your Content Editor

Your Content Editor is someone who needs to be able to communicate with you (as the author) in a way that doesn’t discourage and demoralize. The author/content editor relationship is an important one in the success and completion of this project. Typically your content editor will be paid by the project, but some charge .03-.05 per word.

The Process of editing until a final product is achieved will look something like this:

• Content Editor will edit your manuscript for flow and look for gaps in the story while also proofreading and formatting.
• First Copy Editor will review the revised manuscript and look for more errors in spelling and grammar
• Second (different person) Copy Editor will review the revised manuscript and look for additional errors in spelling and grammar.

The final read-through is done by both Content Editor and one of your Copy Editors to pin-point remaining problem areas or errors. The revised result from this final read-through is what goes to print.

Using Multiple Editors in your Editing Process | Your Copy Editor:

A copy editor is the last edit to make sure everything is perfect before it goes to print.

Copy editing (also copyediting, sometimes abbreviated as \”ce\”) is the process of reviewing and correcting written material to improve accuracy, readability, and fitness for its purpose, and to ensure that it is free of error, omission, inconsistency, and repetition.

In the United States and Canada, an editor who does this work is called a copy editor. An organization\’s highest-ranking copy editor, or the supervising editor of a group of copy editors, may be known as the copy chief, copy desk chief, or news editor.

Copy editing has three levels: light, medium, and heavy. Depending on the budget and schedule of the publication, the publisher will let the copy editor know what level of editing to employ. The type of editing one chooses (light, medium, or heavy) will help the copy editor prioritize their efforts.

• Copy editing can also entail more benefits, like:
• Ensuring consistency of voice and style
• Cursory fact-checking
• Improving flow and impact from one idea to the next.
• Padding or trimming as word counts demand.
• Tightening up the copy for clarity and concision.
• Reworking text t
• o ensure it delivers a clear and cohesive message.
• Checking every sentence and paragraph for singleness of meaning and logical presentation.
• Suggesting changes and inserting comments to draw attention to unclear passages
• Identifying \”plot holes\” or areas the story that needs work

When on the hunt for content or copy editors, here are some great places to find quality professionals:

• Upwork.com
• Thumbtack.com
• Scwibi.org
• IVVA.org
• ACES.org

Using Beta Readers to Edit your Final Content

There is no such thing as *too many* eyeballs when it comes to editing your book before the final stages and using Beta Readers is another good way to catch potential boo-boos before the book goes to print.

Using Beta Readers is completely optional, but it\’s also a handy way to get the opinions of the end-users; the folks who will ultimately be buying your books. Beta readers can either be hand-picked by you or gained via Google sign-up. These end-user readers will get a “sneak preview” of your book in PDF form and also be encouraged to give feedback before your book goes to print. These beta readers can also be encouraged to write a review of your book on their blog or leave an Amazon review in exchange for a free physical copy once your book is printed. Beta readers provide feedback and testimonials that can be useful for your book launch and marketing.

Curious about where you can find Beta Readers? Check out this article from HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors for some ideas.

Happy writing!

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