Jodee Speaks – Page 9 – Self Publishing Advisor

Professional Copyediting is a Self-Publishing Must-Do

Many authors ask me questions like “Do I really need to hire an editor?” and “I had my friend who is an English teacher read it. That counts as editing, right?” While having friends, family, colleagues, and even your writing group is a great way to get feedback on your manuscript, it does not replace the need for a professional copyedit.

Many services offered by self-publishing companies could be considered optional depending on your goals and personal skills. Copyediting is not one of those services I consider “optional;” authors who want their work to polished and professional must hire a professional copyeditor.

So how is a copyedit different than having trusted friends and family read your book?

1) Copyediting requires special skills.

Even friends who are writers or teachers probably don’t have the training necessary to perform a quality edit. (Unless you happen to be friends with a copyeditor.) Copyediting is different than proofreading. The copyeditor doesn’t just look for obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. He or she also corrects style issues, picks up on inconsistencies, and corrects less obvious mistakes.

2) They can look at your work objectively.

Writers who self-edit their work often miss mistakes and inconsistencies because they are too attached to the story. They know what they are saying, so they don’t read through the eyes of a reader who doesn’t know the story. Similarly, friends and family may be afraid of hurting your feelings or be to proud of your work to review it objectively. Copyeditors don’t have a personal attachment to your story and review the manuscript as a professional rather than a friend.

Before you hire a copyeditor, it important to remember these tips:

Proofread and spell-check your work before sending it to an editor.
Remember that editors are human and many work with about a 5% margin of error.
There are different levels of editing intensity: basic, moderate, and extensive. (Basic copyediting typically catches about 70% of errors in a manuscript.)
As a self-publishing author, don’t focus on what the editor didn’t find, but rather what was found.
Review your manuscript again after you receive it from the editor to check for errors they may have missed.

While copyediting won’t make your book flawless, it will substantially increase the quality and professionalism of your book.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Moms, Give Yourself the Gift of Self-Publishing

I hope all of you moms out there had a great Mother’s Day. I hope your children blessed you with little treats to show their love and that you got a chance to relax and enjoy being with your family. Too often, mother’s feel overworked, overtired, and underappreciated. This year, why don’t you stretch that Mother’s Day bliss into the rest of the year… by allowing yourself to work on your writing project and finally reaching your dream of publishing a book. Here are three reasons why you should give yourself the gift of self-publishing.

1. You deserve a break.

Many moms give all their time and energy to their families and work. They struggle to find time to do the things they love, but you deserve a break. Let the dishes sit in the sink for the night, and spend some time writing.

2. It’s good for your family.

Moms who make time for their passions feel more fulfilled and are able to be happier, more patient parents. Giving yourself permission to work on your own project isn’t denying your children your time, it is giving them the gift of a happy, successful mom. They will be proud of you.

3. It’s also a gift to your family.

Self-publishing a book can be a great way to create a special, unique gift that your children can have forever. Whether you write a novel and dedicate it to them or pen a book filled with life lessons you want to teach them or publish a memoir sharing your life story or create a children’s books of the stories you tell them before bed, they will cherish your work forever.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

3 Reasons to Self-Publish in May

After the crazy winter most of the country has experienced this year, it is great for spring to finally be here. Spring, which is associated with new beginnings and rebirth, is the perfect time to start a new self-publishing project or breathe new life into an old manuscript. Here are three reasons why May is the perfect time to self-publish.

1. You can put your tax refund to good use.

If you haven’t already, you will soon be receiving your tax refund. Instead of letting it sit in the bank or wasting it on material items you’ll forget in a month, invest in something great: yourself! Whether you’re a creative writer wanting to publish your debut novel or a professional wanting to increase your platform, publishing a book is a wonderful investment.

2. Spring is a time for new beginnings.

Spring is often associated with new beginnings and rebirth. So start your new beginning today by going from aspiring author to published author.

3. Take advantage of promotions.

Every month, self-publishing companies offer promotions. Check with your self-publishing to learn about current promotions.

I’d love to know, why did you decide to self-publish in May?

Choosing a Publisher, Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Cheaper isn’t Always Better, Self-Publishing Authors

When choosing a self-publishing company, remember the adage, “Cheaper isn’t always better” and ask yourself these two questions:

1. What are the upfront costs, the per book cost and royalties?

You may find a company that has incredibly low per book author costs, but don’t let that govern your decision. Just because a company promotes a low per book cost doesn’t mean they are the best bargain — they may have high upfront costs and low royalties. And just because a company offers low upfront costs doesn’t mean they are the best bargain — they may have high per book costs, low royalties and even requirements for you to purchase hundreds of books yourself. You must find a good balance of upfront costs, per book cost and royalties. Consider all of this when self-publishing.

2. What services are available?

The cliché “you get what you pay for” is often true when it comes to self-publishing. Not all self-publishing companies are created equal, and you need to consider your professional goals and needs when choosing a company. A cheaper company often does not offer all the services and support needed to create a quality book, and if you want to be respected as an author and sell books, you need to offer your readers a quality product.

Ultimately, the self-publishing company you choose depends on your goals and needs as an author. Some people can go with the cheapest option and be completely satisfied, but many serious authors find that spending a little more is worth the extra expense. You want to find a company that will produce a top-quality product, offer you plenty of options such as professional editing, custom covers, and marketing and promotion services. As you research self-publishing companies, be sure to consider all the costs as well as the value of the services offered. You may just find that “cheaper isn’t always better.”

Choosing a Publisher, Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Help! There are so many self-publishing companies!

So you’ve decided to self-publish, congratulations! Now it’s time to pick a self-publishing company. As you’ve probably already realized, this can be a stressful task since comparing self-publishing companies is like comparing apples to oranges. At first glance, you might think it is simple to compare packages from different companies, but once you dig deeper, you’ll realize that each company’s packages feature different services.

When researching and comparing self-publishing companies, be sure to ask yourself these questions:

1) What services do you want and need?

Before you start researching companies, make a list of the services you want and need. Reference this list when you are comparing packages as some packages may include services you don’t need, and thus don’t want to pay for, or may not include the services you want. This will help you narrow down your options.

2) Consider add-on options.

In addition to publishing packages, self-publishing companies offer add-on services, such as custom cover design or editing. In some cases, it is more cost effective to purchase a cheaper package and add-on options than purchasing a more expensive package.

3) Get a true comparison.

To get a true comparison, you need to determine the per author cost for books after publication and the per book royalty you will earn . (See an example here.) You may find it is better to spend a little more upfront to reap the benefits of higher royalties on the back end. Remember, cheaper isn’t always better.

4) Think about your after publication needs.

The work doesn’t end once your book is printed. To be successful, you will need to market and promote your book. Self-publishing companies offer a variety of marketing options, so be sure to consider the after publication services when choosing a self-publishing company.

5) What are the upfront costs, the per book cost and royalties?

You may find a company that has incredibly low per book author costs, but don’t let that govern your decision. Just because a company promotes a low per book cost doesn’t mean they are the best bargain — they may have high upfront costs and low royalties. And just because a company offers low upfront costs doesn’t mean they are the best bargain — they may have high per book costs, low royalties and even require you to purchase hundreds of books yourself. You must find a good balance of upfront costs, per book cost and royalties.

Ultimately, the self-publishing company you choose depends on your goals and needs as an author. Some people can go with the cheapest option and be completely satisfied, but many serious authors find that spending a little more is worth the extra expense. You want to find a company that will produce a top-quality product, offer you plenty of options such as professional editing and custom covers, and a variety of options for marketing and promoting your book. As you research self publishing companies, be sure to consider all the costs as well as the value of the services offered. You may just find that “cheaper isn’t always better.”

Choosing a self-publishing company is like any important decision in life; you can analyze and analyze and analyze, but eventually you have to make a decision, and sometimes that decision is based on something other than logic. Trust your instincts.

If this seems a little overwhelming, don’t worry. Self-publishing companies have great teams of professionals to help you pick the best options for you.

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