Writing is a long and difficult process. So when you make it to the end and finally have a finished draft of your novel, there will be a huge sense of relief…and confusion. What does the next step look like? Now that you’ve got this done, how do you keep going?
Most likely, you want to get that novel published, whether through a traditional publishing company or using the various self-publication methods available. Either way, the next step needs to be finding an editor.
Before your work of art can go on to publishing, you will need someone to go through your manuscript to spot any inconsistencies in plot, character, and themes. You need someone willing to work with you to polish your novel and help it become a finished product ready to head on towards the world of publishing!
As an editor, I have a simple but effective process. I always believe you should begin with an initial read-through. Get a sense of the entire novel before you start in with a red pen. Once that’s been completed, I open the manuscript in GoogleDocs or some other similar platform to be able to leave clear comments in the margins that the author can actually read. I also create a document outside of the manuscript that categorizes my comments for the ease of the author. After that, I like to sit down one-on-one (in person or over video chat) to discuss my recommendations. I never want to tell you what you must do and any point should be a conversation. By the end, I want you to feel that you understand my critiques and feel confident moving forward.
If you are interested in having your book edited, please reach out below. I want to make sure everyone is able to create their masterpiece so I am able to work with each author individually on pricing.
I look forward to reading some fabulous manuscripts!
The Wordsmith's Pen 