What comes next after the editing of a book is complete?
I never thought I’d see the day where I could finally say – I’ve finished editing my book. Oh, what a joyous feeling it is. Halleluja! I began editing my debut novel “Reckless Beginnings” in August 2017. It’s been a grueling eight months. Hours have been spent checking every word, sentences, and paragraphs. Rewrites have been done, paragraphs have been shifted or removed completely. Once I had done everything I could possibly do, I handed it over to my editor to complete the task and return it to me polished and squeaky clean. She didn’t fail me.
The Final Read
After ten days with my editor, the manuscript was now back in my hands. I needed to do one more final read before returning it to my publisher.
After weeks of rain, snow, and winds where I’ve been cooped up indoors, we finally had a weekend of glorious weather with temperatures in the seventies. I took advantage of the perfect conditions by setting up the office outside on the grass to do my final reading.
With laptop in hand, plenty of bottled water, a fresh pot of hot tea, I dug my bare toes into the cool soft grass and began the process while admiring the wonderful view of Frazier Mountain. (I love my office:) )
Six hours later, I read the last line and smiled. With very little changes, I’m thrilled how the book has turned out and hope my readers will feel the same. What started out as an idea in my head over twenty years ago is now a novel, that I created. At that moment, I was feeling pretty damn proud of myself, if I must say.
What’s Next?
With the editing stage behind me. (Oh, how I love to say that.) It’s time to move onto the next stage, which is page formatting. Satisfied with the manuscript, I emailed it back to the publisher to begin the process.
What is page formatting? This is where my publisher will transfer the manuscript into the format of a book. Margins will be added, font size and style will be decided. Pages will be numbered and the style of the chapter headings will be chosen.
For me this is exciting! The next time I see my book, it will look much different. The publisher told me that the process will take about five weeks. At that time I will need to go through it, making sure nothing got deleted or switched around. I’m estimating the task will take a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
This has been such a learning experience. My father was an author but I never saw this side of the process. There were many times I wanted to quit and just walk away. Unable to find the right words, burned out with editing, having no motivation and fearing criticism. Tears have been shed, many late nights have been spent with explosions of frustrations. I have put my heart and soul into this book and I’m so happy I didn’t give up. Even though we still have quite a ways to go before I actually get to hold my book in my hands, I’m beginning to feel the rewards. I’m not expecting to be the next Nora Roberts. I had a story to tell and I actually sat down and wrote it and to see someone reading my book, well that feeling will be priceless.
Never give up on your dreams, keep pushing through the obstacles that may come your way and tell yourself you can do this. What have you done that you’re proud of? Was there a time where you almost gave up? I would love to hear about it.
Other Authors that have achieved their goals and I’ve interviewed
Additional Reading
Wow! I had no idea what happens when writing a book and the process for it!
It’s very intense but well worth it.
Yay happy to read that you’re in the final editing stages of your book! How inspirational that you have a pretty mountain view from where you’re doing your reading at. Best of luck with the final edits and reads!
Thank you so much. Yes, I like my office LOL. Adds plenty of inspiration too 🙂
about to get my book edited. just want to say dont let anyone tell you you cant do it. when I did not understand a lot of the jargon like digital for example I was told that I was not the type to wtite a book and should think of stopping-this came from an editor who was suppose to be helping me and has been in the business for years he made me feel like a failure or it may be a relative or friend that has no faith in what you are trying to do, best thing to do is hire some one in the field you are in, I got stuck with words I never use. like digital or scanning or how to upload . one time they did not know it either. they become stuck on themselves which tells me they had a low self esteem in the beginning and pump themselves up trying to make you feel like you cant do it.. just take one step at a time. lorraine.
Great advice.Good luck on your writing adventure
Woo that’s great Tina, I’m so pleased for you. I bet it’s a wonderful feeling. Well done and please let us know on All Wite when it’s ready to go. I look forward to seeing the finished product 😊
Thanks, Debbie. I’ll be sure to let you know
Congratulation! This is the last stage before publishing!
We still have to design the cover. That will be next.
This is awesome! Shared it with my husband as he is in the works of writing a book.
That’s great! I wish him the best of luck 🙂
Writing and publishing a book sounds like a lot of hard work, but it sounds like you are doing a great job and working hard at making it a big success. Enjoy the process.
Thank you, It’s quite a ride but I’m enjoying every moment. 🙂
Congrats Tina! Well done. There’s a lot that goes into this process and I’m happy to read that you’re in the final editing stages of your book! Best of luck with the final edits and reads!
Thank you so much. Moving forward 🙂
Thank you for explaining that process and congrats on your book!
thank you!
Very Useful! I am working on a few more ebooks and these tips will come in handy!!! Thank you so much
you’re welcome
Congrats! My Mom has been trying to write a book for the past 25 years and I think she’d find this post really inspiring! What an incredible accomplishment!
Thank you. It’s been trying at times but well worth it. I hope your mom gets to write that book.
This is an amazing accomplishment! You’re almost there, congratulations! This is a proof that never giving up we can accomplish anything!
Thank you! persistence does pay off. Never give up is absolutely true
Congratulations, you are almost there! WE can’t wait to finally see your published book! I admire your dedication, and hope soon I can write my own book. You rock 😀
Thank you so much! It’s been quite the ride but worth every moment of the ups and downs. Good luck on writing your book, I hope it happens.
I’ve always wanted to write a book so this post is really helpful in guiding on what to do next for someone like me. So many useful tips here.
Thank you. I hope it helps.
Congratulations! I admire your dedication and perseverance. What an amazing feeling knowing that you put your heart and soul into this and you are almost there. I look forward to reading your book.
Thank you so much. It seems so real now and not just an idea.
You are so dedicated and focused. You are an inspiration to us who also wants to write our own book!
Thank you so much. When you want something so bad, dedication and perseverance pays off 🙂
Excellent progress on your book and publishing. Such an exciting process.
Thank you. yes it’s beginning to feel real LOL
It’s so interesting to see the process. Definitely a goal of mine some day, so I’m soaking up all of the steps. One thing is the length of time it takes between each step. Patience will be a must.
Thank you! I had no idea how intense it would be. The length of editing definitely took me by surprise, but so well it 🙂 I hope you get to write your book someday. 🙂
Such amazing tips! I will definitely be saving this post for future reference
Thanks, hope it helps
Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing the labor part of your birth! It is no small accomplishment and many do not even know about the process!! I celebrate you in so many ways & look forward to seeing your work in print. 🎊💕 Evelyn, PathofPresence 🦋
Thank you so much. You’re words mean a lot. It is an exciting time right now 🙂
I can definitely relate to this. I have just finished editing my second book and it’s such a strange process.
Wonderful to hear. Congrats on your SECOND book. Yes, you can relate.
I can feel your excitement. How awesome you’ve gotten this far. Big congrats to you on the book!
Thank you so much. Sometimes I have to pinch myself loL.
Congratulations! And, thanks for sharing the process of writing a book! I always wanted to write a book but never knew the process!
Thank you. There is still more to do. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel lOL
Best of Luck for your book..yes the final editing work is really critical..although you are so confident to launch it, emotions are countless. Happy that now your manuscript is in a format of a book.
Thank you. Sometimes I feel like “The Little Engine That Could.” Every emotion I have felt on this journey has been absolutely worth it.
So much goes into the making of a book. Glad that yours coming together soon. All the best!
Thank you!
Congratulations!!! This such a great blog post, I loved how you share your personal expieriences. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much. I’m getting there LOL. Every new stage is a step closer.
I never even thought of this part of the process. Congrats!
Thank you!
The road to becoming an author is not that easy but reaching to the step where you have actually completed editing your book is a marvellous achievement! Thank you for sharing your insight!
Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to seeing it in the book format.
Congrats!! This is so exciting and I am happy for you!
I’m working on my first book, which has been in the works for the past 7 years!! Yikes, lol
But I recently decided to tackle it and stop pushing it off to the side this past year.
Madelain http://www.wheremyheartwanders.com
Thank you! Kudos to you too for starting your book. I would love to see the finished product. Best of luck to you!
Kudos Tina! (And be glad someone else is doing your formatting!)
Thaks Sally 🙂 I couldn’t imagine doing it myself LOL
Congrats on gettinublishing.g your book to the final stage before publishing. This was such an interesting and informative read. And, thanks for sharing the process of writing a book!
You’re welcome and thank you!