My clients often ask me, “What’s the #1 tip you would give someone who wants to self-publish?”
The answer is super-easy – GET YOUR BOOK BETA READ AND EDITED!
Professional editing is a must. No book is perfect, but editorial assistance can help you get a lot closer.
First, pick a beta reader you trust, and ask them to be brutally honest. (Warning: Feel free to get feedback from your family or spouse or friends….but remember that they are going to be overly kind regarding your work because they love you. Their natural reaction is to make you happy and congratulate you on finishing your novel (which they SHOULD!))
If you don’t get an unbiased, honest opinion you could easily submit sub-par work to an already overloaded agent.
When I beta read I love to tell clients what works in their novel, but I’m also honest about what doesn’t work. They aren’t paying me to be nice – they’re paying me to help get their story published.
I’m going to tell you in a nice way, but I’ve got to be honest and tell you.
There are a lot of different kinds of professional edits, so be sure you know which you need before you hire an editor. Beta Readers are developmental editors and they check your book for flow and consistency. They suggest revisions when something about the language doesn’t seem right.
Copyeditors correct spelling mistakes and adjust grammar. Editors are necessary in the self-publishing process. Both types are a must!
If you need help with beta reading your manuscript feel free to reach out to me. (Seriously, this is what I love to do!)
Some submission requirements only request the first page or first chapter of your manuscript with your query letter, so I’d be happy to beta read just those portions (instead of the whole novel).
