The Biggest Mistake Authors Make

Potentially the most significant mistake authors can make is underestimating the importance of professional editing and design or cutting corners with either one or both to save time or money.

Many authors, especially those new to publishing, often wonder this: "Do I really need to invest in professional editing and design for my book?"

And the answer is an unequivocal “YES!”

Without proper editing, books may contain errors in grammar, spelling, or structure that can detract from the reading experience and damage your credibility as an author. Similarly, a poorly designed interior and/or cover can fail to attract readers and ineffectively convey the essence of your book, resulting in missed opportunities for sales and recognition.

Neither one is a good look.

Escape the Mistake #1

Have your manuscript professional edited, and know the differences among the types of editing and their accompanying investments.?

Developmental editing is the most expensive form of editing and looks deeply at the manuscript’s organization and its strength, identifying weak ideas and making recommendations for how to strengthen them. Mechanical editing?reviews and corrects grammar; mechanics; and any other style imperfections, using the most current edition of The Chicago Manual of Style.?Proofreading is a final once-over to catch any lingering errors, ensuring your manuscript is go-to-market ready, and tends to be the least expensive of all the types of editing.

Just saying “I need an editor” or “I need my manuscript edited” will not suffice.? Know the kind of editing your manuscript needs, and nine times out of ten, if you just finished your manuscript and are looking for an editor, you most likely need a developmental editor.? The only instance where you may—and I put a lot of stress on “may”—be able to forego having your manuscript developmentally edited is if you worked with an incredible ghostwriter or a writing coach who worked to ensure your ideas and your manuscript are comprehensive, tight, and on-point.

Additionally, you cannot skip over the different types of editing without your manuscript suffering.? For optimal results, you must go in order from developmental editing to mechanical editing to proofreading.? If you try to go the least expensive route and skip directly to proofreading, a proofreader will immediately detect that developmental and/or mechanical editing has not been performed and will either return your manuscript to you and encourage you to enlist the services of a developmental and/or mechanical editor or, if it’s in their wheelhouse, they will offer to apply developmental or mechanical edits for you but at a different (more expensive) rate than what they charge to proofread because the other types of editing require different skillsets.

I give you the full breakdown about editing in this article.? Check it out.? I know you’ll love it.

Escape the Mistake #2

Enlist a designer who actually knows what they are doing when it comes to book cover design and interior layout.

Selecting a designer for your book is a crucial decision that can significantly impact its success. Before engaging a designer, at a minimum, check their portfolio to see if they have experience specifically in book cover design and interior layout because someone who can create a flyer with a pineapple wearing a hat and aviator shades to promote a Hawaiian-themed football game afterparty is not necessarily someone who can also create a compelling book cover or who can design a gorgeous book interior.

Ensure your visions align and that your designer understands your ideas, preferences, and goals, and confirm they have a solid understanding of the publishing industry and the specific market you're targeting.? They should be familiar with genre conventions, current trends, and reader expectations to create a design that resonates with your target audience.? You also want a designer who’s technically proficient in software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator and has the skills necessary to produce print-ready files that meet industry standards.

Finally, clarify ownership rights and usage rights for the final design. Ensure you have the necessary rights to use the design for your book and any associated marketing materials without restrictions. You will promote your book before, when, and after it's published, and not being able to use the image of your book cover in those promotions puts a real hitch in the giddyup.

In Closing...

Investing in professional editing and design is essential to ensuring your book meets industry standards and stands out in a crowded market. While it requires an investment, the long-term benefits—reader satisfaction, sales, and reputation—are well worth it.

Need more? Get all the deets on how to organize your ideas and write a killer manuscript, how to publish your book, and how to make money from your book without selling one single copy in my new release, Do Not Write a Book...Until You Read This One. You won't be disappointed.

Ready to get your book done? The team at the award-winning hybrid publishing company Press 49 is ready to make your dream of becoming a published author a reality. Click here to schedule your complimentary call today.