Step 2: Edit the manuscript
Once you have written a complete manuscript, it is absolutely necessary to go through an editing process. Try and edit your manuscript as far as you can on your own. With all writing, it is good practice to take some time away from the piece and then return to it later for a fresh perspective. Decide on a certain amount of time you will take to not think about or look at your manuscript. After this time has lapsed, come back to your manuscript to do your editing.
As mentioned in Step 1, there is a vast number of free resources available to help guide aspiring authors in their editing process. Do your research and execute.
After you've taken your manuscript as far as you can, it is now time to involve a team of editors. By this point, you will be well invested in your book and even after some time away, a fresh pair of eyes will always refine your book further.
We've listed 5 types of editing involved in book writing:
1. Editorial assessment: this is a broad look at your manuscript as a whole and will provide valuable insight into any major strengths and weaknesses.
2. Developmental editing: this is similar to an editorial assessment but contains more detail. Your development editor will refine your ideas, shape your narrative, and assist in fixing any plot or character inconsistencies.
3. Copy editing: once you've ironed out your story elements, copy editing will come next. Your copy editor will assist in making your book more readable in terms of language use and character inconsistencies. They improve clarity, coherency, consistency and correctness.
4. Proofreading: this is the last major stage of the editing process. Proofreaders make sure no spelling or grammar errors make it to the final version of your work.
5. Fact-checking: this editing won't apply to all genres, but to those authors who have a lot of niche information in their book, it is a good idea to get it fact-checked.
You may feel you do not need all types of editors or you may be constrained by budget. Think through your own strengths and weaknesses and decide which type of editing would complement you the most. Look for the type of editing that would work on the areas that you are weakest in.
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