10 Tips for Self-Editing Before Sending Your Book to a Publisher
If you’re not good with grammar, it’s time to get good…
Writing a book is an amazing feat. A truly great accomplishment. But editing and proofreading your book is a whole other ball game.
You’ve gotten out what you want to say. Now it’s time to make sure that it comes across clear and cohesive to your readers.
That means self-editing and proofreading, as well as sending your book off to be professionally edited by a grammar goddess or word nerd who actually does that for a living.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
The first step is to self-edit your manuscript. Here are some tips on how to do that.
1. Take a Break Before Editing
Like we talked about in my last article, How to Start Writing Your First Book, after finishing your first draft, give yourself some distance from your manuscript.
Taking a break — whether it’s a few days or a week — allows you to return to your work with fresh eyes.
This perspective shift helps you identify areas that need improvement more effectively. You’ve heard the expression, “You were too close to the project,” right?
Well, same concept here. Give yourself some time.
2. Read It Out Loud
Reading your manuscript out loud can reveal awkward phrasing, repetitive words, and inconsistencies in tone or dialogue. You want the writing to sound natural and not forced or overly written.
Reading your manuscript out loud also helps you gauge the flow of your sentences and identify areas where punctuation or clarity might need adjustment.
3. Focus on Structure and Flow
Evaluate the overall structure and flow of your manuscript. That means using varying sentence lengths to ensure that it flows when you read it out loud.
Make sure your story or argument progresses logically and that each chapter, section, or paragraph contributes to the narrative or main thesis. Make sure everything transitions smoothly and is cohesive.
4. Cut Unnecessary Words
Trimming unnecessary words and phrases sharpens your writing and improves clarity. Concise sentences and phrases is the standard for publishing.
Watch out for redundancies, filler words (like “really,” “probably,” etc.), and verbose descriptions that can weigh down your prose.
Take a look at two examples:
Not Concise: Due to the fact that he was not feeling well and because he had not slept much the previous night, he decided that he would not be attending the morning meeting that was scheduled for 9 a.m.
Concise: Feeling unwell and sleep-deprived, he decided to skip the 9 a.m. meeting.
See the difference?
Aim for conciseness without sacrificing depth or meaning.
5. Check for Consistency
Maintain consistency in characters’ traits, settings, timelines, and plot details throughout your manuscript.
Create a style sheet to track details such as character names, spellings, and specific terminology to ensure continuity.
Inconsistencies can lead to reader distrust. You want your story to be consistent so people can focus on the story instead of what’s wrong with it.
To keep track of character details, I use Reedy’s Character Development Profile Template. I download one for each of the main characters in the story and keep referencing it while I’m writing.
It also helps with coming up with scene ideas. For example, if your character ran track in high school, you could have them running a marathon or running through Central Park every morning.
6. Polish Dialogue and Characterization
Dialogue should sound natural and reveal character traits or motivations. Ensure each character’s voice is distinct, and eliminate dialogue tags that are unnecessary or repetitive.
Dialogue should propel the story forward and deepen character development.
I can’t tell you how many self-published books I’ve seen with really bad dialogue. Even some published books I’ve read had cringey-sounding dialogue that just doesn’t sound like anything anyone in real life would say.
I don’t want to put any other author down so I won’t name the main book that comes to mind. I’m not sure about you, but I like books with authenticity, like Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan or Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.
7. Strengthen Your Sentences
Pay attention to sentence structure and variety. Vary sentence lengths to maintain reader engagement and rhythm.
Replace passive voice with active voice where possible to create stronger, more dynamic prose.
Passive voice:
- “The report was written by her.”
- “The project was completed ahead of schedule by the team.”
- “His students were praised for their hard work by the teacher.”
Active voice:
- “She wrote the report.”
- “The team completed the project ahead of schedule.”
- “The teacher praised his students for their hard work.”
In active voice, the subject performs the action directly (“she,” “the team,” “the teacher”).
In passive voice, the subject receives the action (“the report,” “the project,” “his students”), and the emphasis is often on the action rather than the doer. Passive voice is generally used when the focus is on the action itself or when the doer of the action is unknown or less important.
Active voice is typically used in most published writing, unless there’s a specific reason for using passive voice.
8. Address Grammar and Punctuation
Correct grammar and punctuation errors to enhance readability and professionalism.
Use grammar-checking tools but also manually review your writing for common mistakes such as subject-verb agreement, punctuation errors, and misused words.
Grammarly is a great free tool to use. Just add it to your browser and to your Microsoft Word program. It’ll give you suggestions to improve your writing and correct any issues you may have in your writing.
9. Seek Feedback
Enlist beta readers and give them ARCs (advanced reader copies) of your book. You could also find an accountability partners or writing groups to provide constructive feedback on your manuscript.
Fresh perspectives can uncover blind spots and offer valuable insights into areas that you might need to improve.
Ask for feed back and take it into consideration when writing your next draft.
10. Proofread Thoroughly
After making revisions based on feedback, conduct a final proofreading pass.
Focus on typos, spelling errors, and formatting inconsistencies. Once you’ve done that, you can pass it off to a real professional editor.
You can find professional editors at Kirkus or by seeking out editors who already work for publishing companies. A lot of them do freelance work on the side and some might be willing to help you out for a fee.
Consider how much you have to put towards getting your book edited.
But here’s a general overview of the associated costs of hiring a professional editor.
The cost of hiring a professional book editor can vary widely based on factors such as the editor’s experience, the length and complexity of the manuscript, and the specific services requested.
Here are some general guidelines.
Manuscript Evaluation or Critique
This is a high-level review of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, providing feedback on plot, characterization, structure, etc. Prices can range from $0.01 to $0.05 per word or a flat fee based on the manuscript’s length.
Developmental Editing
In-depth editing focusing on overall structure, plot consistency, character development, and style. Rates typically range from $0.03 to $0.15 per word.
Line Editing
Detailed editing focusing on language use, sentence structure, clarity, and flow. Rates generally range from $0.02 to $0.12 per word.
Copyediting
Correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency in style and formatting. Rates can vary from $0.01 to $0.06 per word.
Proofreading
Final check for typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues. Rates usually range from $0.01 to $0.03 per word.
Some editors may charge an hourly rate instead of per word, typically ranging from $40 to $100 or more per hour, depending on their expertise.
For a more accurate estimate, it’s advisable to request quotes from multiple editors and discuss your specific editing needs and budget constraints.
Edit Your Heart Out
Effective self-editing is a critical skill for authors seeking to refine their manuscripts and captivate readers. By following these ten self-editing tips, you’ll polish your manuscript to its finest form, ready to impress agents, publishers, and readers alike.
Remember, editing is an iterative process that takes time and dedication. Doing it can refine your writing and elevate your storytelling to new heights.
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