A chapter that needs cutting, a date that changes halfway through the story, a link that fails in the ebook: each calls for a different kind of editing. Work from the shape of the manuscript towards its smallest details, then check the formatted book before release.
Start with the whole manuscript
Set the draft aside for a short break, then read it from beginning to end. Make notes rather than stopping to fix every sentence. Look for repeated information, sections that arrive too early and places where a reader might need more explanation.
When editing a self published book, tackle structural problems before copy-editing individual sentences. There is little value in polishing a passage that may later be cut or rewritten.
For fiction, check whether events follow a convincing sequence and characters’ decisions make sense. For non-fiction, consider whether each chapter supports the book’s purpose and whether explanations build on what came before. List the changes you want to make, starting with those that affect the most chapters.
Use reader feedback to revise
Once you have addressed the major problems, ask a few trusted readers for specific feedback. Rather than asking only if they liked the book, ask where they felt confused, lost interest or wanted more information. Someone familiar with your subject or genre may notice gaps you have missed.
Compare their comments with your own notes. If several readers struggle with the same chapter, look at what is happening there before deciding how to change it. You need not follow every suggestion: a reader may identify a problem even if you prefer a different solution.
Revise the manuscript again before moving on. Reading passages aloud can help you hear awkward phrasing and sentences that are hard to follow.
Check the language and resolve queries
Once the structure is settled, check spelling, punctuation, grammar and consistency. Look across the manuscript for variations in names, dates, capitalisation and specialist terms. In non-fiction, check references and factual claims against their sources.
Keep a simple style sheet recording your decisions, such as preferred spellings and how you present numbers and headings. Use it throughout your checks and share it with anyone editing or proofreading the book.
A professional copy-editor can offer a separate perspective. If you hire one, agree the scope, deadline and what you will receive. Ask whether the work includes a style sheet or fact-checking, rather than assuming those are covered.
Read proposed changes in context instead of accepting them all at once. An edit can improve clarity while altering your intended emphasis or voice. Answer queries with enough detail to resolve them: if an editor flags conflicting dates, decide which is correct and check other references to the same event. Then reread affected passages without the markup and save a clean version.
Proofread the publication-ready version
Proofreading is the final check after formatting. Read the print proof and preview the ebook if you are producing both. Check chapter headings, the contents, page breaks, captions and any links, as well as the text itself.
After making a correction, inspect the surrounding paragraph and layout again. Keep the approved files clearly named and separate from earlier drafts, so the version sent for publication is the one you have checked.
