Musings of a copywriter, editor, typesetter and freelance pa…
ISBNs explained: What every indie author needs to know
If you’re preparing to self-publish your book, you’ve probably heard the term ISBN and wondered: Do I need one? Where do I get it? What is it for?
In this blog, I’ll explain what ISBNs are, why they matter, and how indie authors can use them with confidence.
Typesetting explained
A book’s a book, right? Well, no!!
When you’ve spent months or even years writing and editing your book, you want the final result to look professional, polished, and ready for your readers. That’s where typesetting comes in.
Whether you’re an indie author preparing your first novel or a business owner publishing a guide or workbook, understanding typesetting can make a huge difference to the final result. So, here’s a breakdown of what typesetting is, why it matters, and how to make sure your book looks as good as it reads.
Why every business needs a website audit, and how an editor can help
In today’s digital world, your website is often the first impression people have of your business. Whether you’re an author or small business owner, it needs to be clear, professional and engaging. But over time, it can become outdated. That’s where a website audit comes in.
In this musing, I’ll run through what a website audit is, why every author and small business should have one, and how an editor can improve clarity, professionalism and engagement.
What an indie author needs to know before self-publishing their book: A timeline
Publishing is now accessible for everyone, and it gives indie authors complete creative control over their books. With that freedom comes responsibility for the writing, the marketing, and much more! The whole self-publishing process can be daunting. First-time indie authors often underestimate how much time, planning, and professional support are needed between finishing a draft and holding a polished book in their hands.
So, I’ve written a helpful stage-by-stage timeline of what to expect before you self-publish, what you need to do as the author, and how a professional editor can guide you through the process.
Balancing AI and Professional Editing: A smart path for indie authors
AI is rapidly reshaping creative industries, and that includes publishing. But can it really replace the expertise of a professional editor? My short answer is ‘No, but it can be helpful.’
In this musing, I’ll break down the key differences between editing with AI tools and working with a human editor so that you can make an informed decision for your book.
Why outsource your editing?
Outsourcing your editing is a smart strategy for writers and content creators! But why? Many writers know, the writing process doesn’t end when the words hit the page. Editing is essential, but is often time-consuming and challenging. This is where outsourcing your editing can offer significant benefits.
In this musing, I’ll look at reasons to outsource your editing and offer you some tips on how to choose the right editor.
Common editing mistakes and how to avoid them
Editing is a crucial and often underestimated part of the self-publishing process. A manuscript evolves between the first draft and the final version.
In this musing, I look at common editing mistakes and how to avoid them to ensure the quality and success of your book.
Productivity tips for successful working from home
A huge challenge when working from home can be staying focused. In this musing, I share my top productivity tips for staying focused and achieving your goals when working from home.
The role of an editor for an indie author
Self-publishing offers authors incredible freedom: complete creative control, flexible timelines, and direct access to readers. But with that freedom comes responsibility, especially when it comes to the quality of the finished book. This is where an editor plays a crucial role.
In this musing, I’m going to look at what editors do and why their support is so valuable on an author’s writing journey.
Tips on how to focus on the task at hand
Multitasking may be the name of the game, but in reality, true productivity comes from focused attention on one task at a time: working smarter, not faster. That means giving each task the attention it deserves, without letting your mind wander.
In this musing, I thought I would share a few practical strategies I’ve found effective for staying focused, on track and delivering high-quality work throughout the day.
Understanding typesetting costs: what you need to know
So you’re ready to get your manuscript typeset… but how much does it cost? You’ve searched the internet for a price to typeset your book and not found anything concrete, and now you’re just a little frustrated. Well, let me help!
Why does editing cost so much?
Editing is a professional service, priced on the time and expertise required to make a manuscript, or any other copy, shine.
So, let’s look at why editing costs what it does and why investing in a good editor is a good choice for your project.
Self-publishing: what’s involved?
Self-publishing encompasses all the processes involved in publishing a written work, whether that is a book, eBook, or other written content, independent of a traditional publishing house.
There are pros and cons to the self-publishing approach, and while self-publishing has opened doors for authors to share their words with the world, some costs need to be considered once they have finished writing their book.
So what does it all cost? Well, “How long is a piece of string?” I’m not being difficult, but there’s a LOT to consider.
Want to know more?
Learn to Love AI
Here is a question, “Can AI be your new best friend?”
My answer is, “Yes, I think so.”
AI isn't going anywhere, so we must embrace it and use it to benefit us and our businesses. So, I did some training to help me understand what AI can do and how I should use it.
Want to know more?
How an Editor helps an Indie Author
As an indie author, you are responsible for writing, editing, marketing and distributing your book. As an author, I assume that the creative writing process is the bit you love, but editing is crucial to ensure your book reaches its full potential.
An editor will polish your manuscript and, hopefully, you will find them invaluable as they will do all of these wonderful things…
The Anatomy of a Paperback
The make-up of a book is more complex than most people realise so this musing is quite lengthy. Understanding a book's structure should help any author format their book for their editor or publisher.
Read on for more information…
How to write great website copy
Want to know why you need great website copy, what to include, great tips and more?
Read on…
Can you edit your writing?
Can you edit your own writing?
The answer to this question is Yes, but…
Read on…
Punctuation: a guide
Punctuation: the art of dividing sentences by marks.
Simple really.
If you think about it we use pauses and the pitch of our voice to help people understand what we are saying. Punctuation plays a similar role in our writing.
Read on…
Editing poetry: my top tips
Editing poetry needs particular care and attention by the poet and the editor. So, I thought I would share some tips for editing poetry… whether you’re revising or editing your poems or someone else’s. Read on…