Behind the Scenes: The Editing Process in Book Publishing
You have finally taken the plunge and written the book that has been brewing inside you for so long! Congratulations, you have taken the first step in your publishing journey. What comes next is an exciting step in sharing your work with the world and a chance to take a constructive look at your writing.
One of the most critical steps in publishing is manuscript editing your work before it is presented to a publisher. This is where professional book editing will help you deliver your best, most polished version. This guide will explain some of the crucial parts of the book publication process and what any editor would want you to know before you start your book-publishing endeavour.
Why your Editor is your Best Friend
An editor does not only edit your work for any errors, including grammar or consistency, but they also play an essential role in ensuring your work is revised, refined, and presented in its best form. An editor will perform many functions; in some cases, this may be done by different people. This includes manuscript review, content editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
Before submitting your manuscript, here are a few essential things your editor hopes you will pay attention to. This can save you and your editor a lot of time, making the entire process more enjoyable for both of you.
10 Things Editors Wish Authors Knew
This is not an exhaustive list, but it does touch on a variety of broad, essential items that you can check off before you submit your manuscript to an editor or to book publishers:
- Create a Style Sheet for your Manuscript
An essential part of submitting any work is ensuring consistency throughout the novel. This means that characters' names are always used correctly, and character features are consistent throughout the book. If UK spelling is used, then a style sheet will indicate this and any other references that the author may think are important to mention.
- Manuscript Editing is not Proofreading.
It is essential to note that editing is not the same thing as proofreading but is a much more comprehensive process. It will take longer and involve many steps, as indicated above. Proofreading may be one step in the editing process and usually comes at the end to tie up any things that may have been missed.
- Format your Manuscript
Formatting the manuscript so that anyone can read it easily is one of the most critical steps before submitting it to any editor. Ensure it is spaced as required and follows all the guidelines your editor adheres to. This usually consists of a comprehensive list your editor will share.
- Take the Time to Check for Typos
Take the type actually to look for the typos. It can save your editor a lot of time and create less confusion on their end when they are manuscript editing. It may be a much simpler and quicker process because you are familiar with the written content.
- Know how to use MS Track Changes
Learn now if you need to become more familiar with MS Word track changes. This is how your editor will edit your work and convey any changes they want to make to it. This is the easiest way to make edits, showing you exactly where the errors are. If you need to learn how it works, take a quick tutorial.
- Be Prepared to Help
Only some things will be done by your editor throughout the entire work. Your editor may point out an error a few times, but if it happens consistently, they will instruct you to correct it yourself. Be prepared to carry some of the workload of the manuscript editing process.
- Be Open to Criticism
One of the most essential parts of submitting your work for editing is being open to whatever feedback your editor will provide you. This means that instead of taking anything personally, accept that your written work is being edited and not you personally as a person.
- Be Forward and Ask Questions
If you need to figure out the feedback or editing that your editor has done, then be forthright and ask questions. There is no shame in asking why they have suggested something; this way, you will be clear on why and sometimes can clarify what you meant by writing something a certain way.
- Stick to Deadlines
Try to meet deadlines and adhere to your editor's timeline. If you do expect a delay, make sure to let your editor know beforehand. Any delay on your part will delay other authors' work authors in the queue to be edited.
- Take the Time to Explain
It is your book, and if you feel that specific edits have changed integral parts of it, explain why you think this way to your editor. Sometimes, an editor may need clarification on certain things, and they can help you frame them so they come across more coherently.
Your First Step to Publishing: Manuscript Editing Your Book
The book publishing process may seem complicated, but understanding one of the most important steps will make your job as an author easier. Before submitting your writing for manuscript editing, make sure to carry out some revision and some self-editing in addition to keeping the above essential points in mind. In no time, you will be on your way to seeing your book on shelves worldwide!
Good luck, authors, and keep on writing!
Connect with Austin Macauley Publishers for more such blogs, and submit your manuscript if you want to publish your work. You can also make a quick and easy submission through the online submission form. You can stay updated with our new releases and activities by joining our family of authors and readers on Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram.