09/24/2020
I was writing a friend and author today about my experience with book editing and publishing, how the process works, when to get copyeditors involved, etc. This is one section of my note to her. To my book professional colleagues, did I miss anything?
Every book has different needs, however, the basic process goes like this.
The author writes the manuscript. If the author is fortunate enough to have a book coach, the book coach can help lead the author to make sure everything stays on track with the main message and intent. After the manuscript is finished, it would go to either an editor or a copy editor. The copy editor takes the manuscript and makes it better in overall content and construction. The editor will make sure the grammar and typos are addressed. Sometimes the book needs both these individuals. If you need buy-in from other individuals or want a select group of people to review the content, now is the time. Once you get feedback, you can decide how to proceed. Either move to the next step or go back a step and make the necessary changes.
Once the manuscript is approved by the author and editors, it can go to the book designer for layout. After the content has flowed into the layout, the resulting PDF proof is used to address any remaining typos, design directions, and layout. Another round of edits and the second PDF proof is reviewed. This often can go to the proofreader, a different set of eyes, who will often find a new set of typos. This stage is also a good time to send the manuscript to a select group of readers who can give you praise or write an introduction or a foreword. If you do this, the praise and introduction can go into the front matter and a third PDF proof will be generated. It is at this stage that the book is at its final phase and a high-resolution PDF will be generated to upload to the print vendor.
At each stage of this process, a professional is often needed, and of course, that requires an equitable transaction. In this set-up I have identified:
1.Book coach
2.Copyeditor
3.Editor
4.Proofreader
5.Book designer
6.Foreword/Introduction writer
7.Praisers
Each of these people will require either money, free books, thanks on your acknowledgment page, and maybe all of these things. Each compensation is different. You can find people to do this work via your personal network or through a website like Upwork. If you use Upwork, you can find very affordable ways to get this work done. However, it is more work for you and is mentally challenging to vet, assign, trust, and manage the project.
I am a book coach and book designer, reach out if you need help in these areas. I also have copywriters and editors on speed-dial!
