Mellie's Books

“Aaaarrrgggghhh! You can’t do that! Not to my baby!” she cries.

That would be me or any other author out there who’s just seen the red ink all over their newly edited manuscript.

If you’re self publishing, I want you to give serious thought to hiring an editor to look over your work. Not because your story isn’t a great read, but because an editor can take that great read and make it sparkle. Your tension draws the readers in, but your editor can make the air crackle from the electricity in the air.

Yes, as an author, it is hard to send your newborn book to someone who will pull out a sharp knife and slice into it, amputating some parts and modifying others. And when you look over the manuscript initially, your heart will want to bleed red ink in sympathy.

But once you get past the shock and horror and begin to read your book with the edits in place, you’ll understand the difference between a good story and a great one.

If you’re like me, you get stuck in certain word patterns or using particular modifiers. You’ll catch some of them as you do your own editing, but not all. After all, you wrote these words and sometimes it’s difficult to read the story as your audience will.

Or you’ll write something, feeling certain your audience will understand the reference, without realizing you forgot to fill them in on this bit of back story.

Your editor will catch this and go, “Where the hell did this come from?” Maybe not in so many words, but they’ll make a note of it and ask for clarification.

I’ve worked with the  Dawn Miller of RuleBreaker Editing for quite a while now. She’s edited all of my books, as well as documents for my husband. Gambler’s Folly wouldn’t be the story it is without her.

Neither would Jareth: First Lord, do to be re-released in August.

And you know she’s going through Viviane: First Lady right now, so I can send it to my publisher, FreedomInk365,  later this year.

If you’re a first time author, especially if you’re self-publishing, get yourself an editor. Some of them have discounts for new authors. Others, like RuleBreaker Editing,  will edit your first chapter for you for free, so you can see what they can do for you.

Yes, you’ll want to cry that first time. Yes, your manuscript will bleed red ink. But you’ll both get over it.

Editors. Those people we love to hate, but who make such a difference in the end.

Check it out!

Ciao!