5 excellent tips for self-editing your manuscript that every author needs to know!
Firstly, congratulations on completing the first draft of your manuscript, but now it’s time to put these self-editing tips into practice. All editing, especially self-editing your manuscript, can feel daunting. However, it’s good practice to get into it, and by following these self-editing tips, your manuscript will be in a great position before it goes off for professional editing.
If you’re a Canadian author looking to go down the traditional publishing route with your book, then having a polished manuscript to present to agents and publishers is crucial to your chances of being accepted. And even if you just plan on self-publishing your book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark Publishing, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, or Draft2Digital, it’s a good habit to get into.
In the following article, we’ll look at:
- Taking A Break
- Reading Your Manuscript Out Loud
- Searching for Repeated Phrases and Words
- Editing Your Work Too Much
- Utilizing Editing Tools and Technology
If you’re struggling with self-editing your manuscript, be sure to check out Why You Need an Editor! To learn more about the importance of professional editing services. If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
Check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors, where we discuss the best self-publishing platforms for Canadian authors looking to self-publish their books.
Taking A Break
Before you go tearing into self-editing your manuscript with these self-editing tips, take a break, relax, and approach it with fresh eyes. There’s such a thing as over-editing, and by taking a break between writing and editing, you’ll be in a much better position to start the self-editing process.
Just because you wrote ‘The End’ on your manuscript doesn’t mean that you need to rush straight into the editing process. Give it time to settle before you get that red pen out.
Reading Your Manuscript Out Loud
You would be absolutely amazed at the difference reading your manuscript out loud can make during the self-editing process. Regardless of how many times you’ve looked at a sentence on your screen, reading it aloud will quickly highlight any errors.
The key here is to set yourself a reasonable goal each day and take it slowly. Don’t attempt to read and edit your manuscript in an entire day, or you’ll just burn yourself out. Sit back, relax, and while you have some peace and quiet and a good cup of coffee, start reading your manuscript.
Searching for Repeated Phrases and Words
When you read your manuscript aloud, one of the easiest things to spot, and you’ll notice it pretty quickly, is your use of repeated words and phrases. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using the exact words or phrases, and it’s not until you read your book afterward that these words and phrases start to jump out at you from the pages.
Regardless of the word or catchphrase, we guarantee that you have one or more that you have overused in your book. Take notes of any words you think fall into this category, then use the find function on your document to see how many times you’ve used it and if there are some replacements that you can make.
Editing Your Work Too Much
Believe it or not, but there is such a thing as too much editing. Sure, your manuscript will require several rounds of self-editing and then editing and proofing by a professional editor, but don’t fall into the trap of over-editing.
Try to set yourself a goal of doing a set amount of edits. If you’re a writer who falls into the trap of over-editing and procrastinating the editing process, this can be highly beneficial to avoid over-editing your book. After all, a book that’s sitting on your computer and never published will never sell a single copy.
Utilizing Editing Tools and Technology
There are a variety of editing tools that you can utilize as a self-published author, including ProWritingAid, Grammarly, and many more. While these programs will never replace a human editor or professional editor, they’re a great place to start, especially if you’re a new author.
Self-editing your book is a vital part of the writing process and journey, and it is one that you can’t afford to skip or rush through. So, take your time, read aloud, and if you require any assistance or feel as if you’re in over your head, reach out for a professional editing service.
If you’re ready to self-publish your book and considering Amazon KDP, check out Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors, where we discuss everything you need to know about setting up your Amazon KDP account, uploading print and ebooks, and managing titles through your author dashboard.
Self-Editing Tips for Canadian Authors | Conclusion
Hopefully, by following the self-editing tips above, your manuscript will be much more polished before you send it off for professional editing.
At Indie Publishing Group, we’re proud to assist Canadian and North American authors in self-publishing their books, including assisting with the children’s book self-publishing process.
If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, or uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and children’s book formatting services.
Our experienced and professional self-publishing team is standing by to assist you with your self-publishing dreams. Do you have any additional writing or self-publishing questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly! One of our friendly and professional team members will get back to you ASAP!
