Book Publishing Process- An Overview of the Publishing Process - Part 1

Line Editing or Developmental Editing
Any of several types of editors could suggest revisions. Publishers use a mystifying array of terms for their editorial staff; the terms vary from one area of the publishing industry to another and even from one company to another. But at this stage, most editors are concerned with the larger picture--that is, with aspects of your manuscript like organization, readability, and accuracy--rather than with smaller details like grammar and spelling.

For example, the acquisitions or acquiring editor could recommend revisions; in the case of scholarly books, these may be based on suggestions from peer reviewers. Or if you've written a trade book, the (line) editor, content editor, or substantive editor handling the book may suggest improvements. Textbooks are sometimes sent to a developmental editor, who will recommend organizational, stylistic, and other changes that can make a book more competitive with similar books.

After you've made the necessary changes, the manuscript goes into production. That process involves further editing, typesetting, and other work that will turn your manuscript into a printed book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_C._Judd

How to Prepare Your Manuscript For Publication

Author: Amanda Clark

The best way to prepare your manuscript for publication is to keep it extremely organized throughout the entire writing and editing process.  This will make all of the other necessary steps go quickly and smoothly and will provide you with a polished final product.

As you write, keep your work and any notes you may take pertaining to it organized and easily accessible.  Having all of your ideas within reach will help you be more efficient with what you are trying to say.  Keeping a clean, well arranged workspace will help keep your mind clear, which will in turn make the writing process easier and more productive.

After you have finished writing the manuscript and are ready to enter into the editing stage, it is highly suggest that you hire a professional editor.  This is important because a fresh set of eyes can pick up on a lot of things that you may miss.  Because you are used to reading your work and you know what you mean by what you have written, another person's perspective may pick up on things you didn't notice.  These things may need to be taken out, or may offer an exciting new spin on what you have written.  Professional editors are also very knowledgeable about grammar and will fix any grammatical errors in your manuscript.    

Another advantage of a professional editor is that he or she will not be emotionally attached to the manuscript.  This detachment will allow them to see the story as it is, rather than as you have envisioned it to be.  The help of an emotionally detached, well trained, professional eye is an invaluable resource to every writer.

After your editor has gone through your manuscript, read over his or her comments.  While you do not have to make the changes to the story that are suggested, you should take them into consideration.  After the first edit and first rewrite, the manuscript should be grammatically correct and the storyline should be fully developed.  You will want to have your editor go over the manuscript again, to check the rewritten segments.  This process should be repeated until the story is complete and ready for print.

When you send your query letters out to all of the different publishing houses, you should include in them that you have a professionally edited manuscript and are prepared to send them a sample.  This will show that you are serious about your attempt to get your work into print. 

So remember, when preparing your manuscript for publication, always remain organized and hire a good editor.  These two things will not get you a golden ticket into the world of publishing, but without them you won't get anywhere. 

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/publishing-articles/how-to-prepare-your-manuscript-for-publication-2652596.html

About the Author

Get Your Book Manuscript Reviewed—For Free!

Author: David Bowman

Win a free analysis and review of your manuscripts from the editors who help writers publish great books. We believe that writers are important, and this is a way to help them write books that others will want to read and buy. This contest is open to all writers who have written or are writing book-length manuscripts, fiction and nonfiction, and are preparing for publication.

Sponsored by Precise Edit and Writer Watchdog (http://WriterWathcdog.com).

What winners receive:

Two writers will receive, at no cost, Precise Edit’s manuscript and review service. We will read the book critically, prepare detailed recommendations, and offer advice for improvements.

Who can enter:

Writers with fiction or nonfiction manuscripts and are either seeking publication through traditional or non-traditional means. The final word count of the manuscript must be at least 50,000 words. The manuscript does NOT have to be complete to enter. However, if you win, you will need to finish the manuscript before we can provide the review and analysis service.

What others have said about this service:

• Great suggestions! As I reread this piece with your comments in mind, the things you brought up stood right out. These are the kinds of reviews that really help me improve my work. (J. Hoffman, author of WoodWyrm Academy)
• Thank you. This was exactly the kind of input I was looking for. (Ashira, author of The Witches' Child)
• I really appreciated the professional analysis you did on my novel for its second edition.
  Not only did you understand its complexity, but you managed to suggest changes that would simplify matters for the readers while not sacrificing the essence of the novel's intertwining themes. (J. Hart, author of Election Dance)

How to enter this contest:

Visit the Precise Edit blog at http://preciseedit.wordpress.com. In the comment field for the post about this contest, answer the following questions:

1) What is the book about? (3-8 sentences)

2) Fiction: What is the central conflict? (1-2 sentences); Nonfiction: What is the central theme or purpose? (1-2 sentences)

3) Who is the target audience for the book? (1 sentence)

4) Why will this audience read your book? (1-3 sentences)

You may enter through December 31, 2009. Make sure to use a valid e-mail address when posting your submission. We will send you a unique entry number to identify you later in case you win. Your entry will be disqualified if you do not adhere to the above entry requirements. Questions? E-mail Precise Edit owner and chief editor David Bowman: info@preciseedit.com.

How winners will be chosen:

Think of your entry as a publisher query letter. We will evaluate each component of the submission and select the two that in our subjective opinion have appeal, demonstrate understanding of the target market, and have a clearly defined, engaging, and substantial conflict or purpose.

We will make and publish our choices on January 4, 2010, and we will e-mail the authors of winning entries to arrange for their free service.

What non-winning participants receive:

If you don’t win the free Manuscript Review and Analysis, but you decide you want the service, you can get it at a 20% discount just for participating. Entering this contest in no way obligates you to receive any services or engage in any contractual or service agreement with Precise Edit. (The normal price for Manuscript Review and Analysis is .50 per page. Non-winning participants who wish to contract for this service may receive it for .20 per page. For example: 200 page book x .50 = 0; 200 page book x .20 = 0.

The not-so-small print:

1) The author maintains all rights to and ownership of the manuscript he or she delivers to Precise Edit for services, either as a winning entry, or as a manuscript for paid services. Please see the Precise Edit privacy notice posted on the Precise Edit website: http://preciseedit.com/Info/Privacyagreement/tabid/104/Default.aspx

2) Winners by default will allow Precise Edit and its representatives to publish or otherwise disseminate their names, manuscript title, and synopsis, similar to that which is posted in submission to this contest. No other contact information (e.g., phone number, e-mail address, mailing address) will be made public, nor will the manuscript be distributed by any means, as noted in the privacy policy. The Precise Edit privacy policy will be in effect for winning entries, other than the information noted in the first sentence of this item.

3) We will not accept manuscripts that promote racism, hate crimes, or violence. These elements may be included in the book, but the book should not espouse them. Erotica is acceptable; pornography is not. All other fiction and non-fiction manuscripts are acceptable. We will not accept poetry.

4) In the event that this contest receives fewer than 20 entries, we may choose, at our discretion, to select only one winning entry.

5) We will accept no entries for this contest by any means other than the process described above.

6) Please note that all entries will be public inasmuch as they are made through the public comments of a public weblog. You accept all risk and liability that may arise out of your participation.

7) If you have difficulty making your contest submission, please contact us for assistance.

Last note:

We look forward to receiving your contest submission. Best wishes to all who participate.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/book-reviews-articles/get-your-book-manuscript-reviewedfor-free-1500026.html

About the Author

David Bowman is the Owner and Chief Editor of Precise Edit, a comprehensive editing, proofreading, and document analysis service for authors, students, and businesses. Precise Edit also offers a variety of other services, such as translation, transcription, and website development.