Show notes
A topic that I get asked about all the time is what to do after you’re done with that first draft. Many new writers don’t realize how much work it takes to go from finishing that draft to published, and some don’t even realize they have anything to do. There was a day where a first draft might have gotten you a publishing deal if you were an amazing writer, but those days are long gone and have been replaced by either a lot of hard work and some money (indie publishing) or hard work and time (traditional publishing).
This week’s topic on post-first draft process comes from Kaylie Esther Rosenberry, a member of Writers Helping Writers on Facebook. She asks:
I’ve just finished the Rough Draft to my the 1st book in my fantasy/adventure series (my 1st novel – working on the 2nd as well). What is my next step? I have several beta-readers already lined up and reading as we speak, hopefully. 🙂 What’s next? My plan is to pursue a more traditional publication instead of self-publishing.
I hope this episode helps you, Kaylie, as well as anyone else who is curious about what to do next!
Show Notes (unedited copy of the show notes for SEO)
Imagine this; you’ve been working hard on your very first manuscript for sometime now and you’ve finally finished your rough draft.
You know it still has a long way to go, and have some friends reading over it who you know will both tell you if it’s good or not, but also be gentle and understanding at the same time. After all, it is just a rough draft.
But, where do you go from there?
Hello everyone, I’m Jeremy Collier, this is episode 3 of the Authorpreneur Mindset.
A small personal update on me: I got sick this week, again. It seems like about once a month or so I come down with something.
Websites at Steam Powered Dreams is just about to be launched and will be by the time this is released. It’s a great service for authors who want a full website on a budget. Use code Podcast to get 15% off.
Today’s topic comes from Kaylie Esther Rosenberry who says “I’ve just finished the Rough Draft to my the 1st book in my fantasy/adventure series (my 1st novel – working on the 2nd as well). What is my next step? I have several beta-readers already lined up and reading as we speak, hopefully. 🙂 What’s next? My plan is to pursue a more traditional publication instead of self-publishing.
THank you for the question, Kaylie, and the short answer is edit and rewrite until you can’t feel your fingers any more.
I’m kidding of course, but there is still a lot to do before you even think about submitting to an agent or publisher, and even more to do if you end up self publishing.
Since you already have beta readers who are reading your book, that’s a great place to start, but let me caution everyone on giving your book to beta readers too early.
Many times, you only have one shot with a beta reader, so you want that book to be as well written as you can possibly do alone before you hand it to them. This might mean 3 or 4 rounds of edits/rewrites, or just a single one, it’s different for each author, but that’s where you should start.
After Beta Readers, it’s time to really think about their feedback and implement what you think is important.
Then, you have the option of seeking out a Developmental Editor. The benefits is that this is a professional who has built a career on knowing what’s good and what’s not in a book, usually specific to a genre even. The bad news is that they do cost quite a bit and if you have very little budget for your book, it is better spent later.
Once you’ve been through beta readers and developmental editing and fixed all the little plot holes and mistakes you can, that’s when it’s time for a copyeditor.
Now, some people will tell you that you shouldn’t pay for editing prior t...
This week’s topic on post-first draft process comes from Kaylie Esther Rosenberry, a member of Writers Helping Writers on Facebook. She asks:
I’ve just finished the Rough Draft to my the 1st book in my fantasy/adventure series (my 1st novel – working on the 2nd as well). What is my next step? I have several beta-readers already lined up and reading as we speak, hopefully. 🙂 What’s next? My plan is to pursue a more traditional publication instead of self-publishing.
I hope this episode helps you, Kaylie, as well as anyone else who is curious about what to do next!
Show Notes (unedited copy of the show notes for SEO)
Imagine this; you’ve been working hard on your very first manuscript for sometime now and you’ve finally finished your rough draft.
You know it still has a long way to go, and have some friends reading over it who you know will both tell you if it’s good or not, but also be gentle and understanding at the same time. After all, it is just a rough draft.
But, where do you go from there?
Hello everyone, I’m Jeremy Collier, this is episode 3 of the Authorpreneur Mindset.
A small personal update on me: I got sick this week, again. It seems like about once a month or so I come down with something.
Websites at Steam Powered Dreams is just about to be launched and will be by the time this is released. It’s a great service for authors who want a full website on a budget. Use code Podcast to get 15% off.
Today’s topic comes from Kaylie Esther Rosenberry who says “I’ve just finished the Rough Draft to my the 1st book in my fantasy/adventure series (my 1st novel – working on the 2nd as well). What is my next step? I have several beta-readers already lined up and reading as we speak, hopefully. 🙂 What’s next? My plan is to pursue a more traditional publication instead of self-publishing.
THank you for the question, Kaylie, and the short answer is edit and rewrite until you can’t feel your fingers any more.
I’m kidding of course, but there is still a lot to do before you even think about submitting to an agent or publisher, and even more to do if you end up self publishing.
Since you already have beta readers who are reading your book, that’s a great place to start, but let me caution everyone on giving your book to beta readers too early.
Many times, you only have one shot with a beta reader, so you want that book to be as well written as you can possibly do alone before you hand it to them. This might mean 3 or 4 rounds of edits/rewrites, or just a single one, it’s different for each author, but that’s where you should start.
After Beta Readers, it’s time to really think about their feedback and implement what you think is important.
Then, you have the option of seeking out a Developmental Editor. The benefits is that this is a professional who has built a career on knowing what’s good and what’s not in a book, usually specific to a genre even. The bad news is that they do cost quite a bit and if you have very little budget for your book, it is better spent later.
Once you’ve been through beta readers and developmental editing and fixed all the little plot holes and mistakes you can, that’s when it’s time for a copyeditor.
Now, some people will tell you that you shouldn’t pay for editing prior t...