Manuscript Publishing
Self –editing Improves Manuscript for Publishing
Author: Michael McCain
A writer who wants to publish often entrusts manuscript enhancement to expensive third-party editors. However, no one can do the first round of improvements better than the person who can best keep the written ideas closest to the original: the author.
Drawn below is EDIT. These are practical tips for a writer to self-edit before giving the manuscript to a publishing company. The acronym makes the guidelines easier to remember as a writer plans about how to get a book published.
Eliminate. Get rid of improper words and replace them with accurate ones needed to convey the message. To get the most precise word that describes an idea, it is best to use a thesaurus. When in doubt of the meaning of a word, consult a dictionary. Even if already repeatedly used, a word may imply another meaning when taken in a different context.
Try to eliminate the negatives. Using the word “not” is sometimes effective for emphasis. Nevertheless, sentences written in a positive tone are generally better and stronger than negative ones.
Design check. Another way of self-editing a manuscript is to check the design of the sentences. This means looking at structure, construction and even figures of speech.
Watch for passive sentences. It is always clearer to express an idea when sentences are in active rather than in passive voice. The subject-verb-object structure describes action rather than illustrates situations and this provides readers with an easier understanding of what a writer wants to tell.
Keep an eye for the right punctuation marks and avoid complex sentences as much as possible.
Be consistent and careful in using figures of speech: they must be within the context of the descriptions. Do not confuse readers by comparing something to a forest only to associate it later to an ocean. Using figures of speech is for a purpose, not just for a play on words. Use them creatively and logically.
Inspect. Thoroughly examine each sentence for accuracy of grammar and spelling. Check out your word processor for this application but be watchful in applying the changes to your manuscript.
Test. A writer must test how the message sounds by reading the manuscript aloud. This allows revision of awkward phrasings and avoids redundancy.
These are the four handy self-editing tips that are vital to the publishing process. To complete your publishing journey, you may request a free book publishing guide.
About Xlibris
Xlibris was founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Philadelphia, PA and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.
For more information, please visit http://www.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=apr&key=rc , e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call at 1-888-795-4247, to receive a free publishing guide.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/copywriting-articles/self-editing-improves-manuscript-for-publishing-711795.html
About the Author
Xlibris is a book publisher founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Philadelphia, PA and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.
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Most publishing houses accept manuscripts through reputable literary agents. You would do best to query agents about your project and see if one will represent you. Never send a full manuscript unless it’s been requested. Usually, agents or editors at publishing houses want to see a book proposal first.
good luck!
No it is not. You can always have your manuscript printed anywhere and according to your liking.
I stumbled upon an article that you may find relevant. It says what you need to do when you want to get published:
Decide what to write about
Discover your readers
Dedicate time for writing
Design effectively
Designate a professional editor
Deal with a professional publisher
Distribute the book effectively
The writer calls them the 7 Ds of publishing and here’s the link to the full article:
http://xlibrian.multiply.com/journal/item/11/The_Self-Publishing_Process_Simplified
Click on the link below to get a FREE book publishing guide. This will walk you through the whole process.
http://www.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=aop&key=qac
I hope you find this information helpful as you go through your publishing journey.
Booklover1020
http://booklover1020.wordpress.com/
A manuscript must be typed using either 12 point Times Roman or Courier.
Start each chapter one third of the way down the page. Go down 7 lines – type “Chapter One” then line 8 is left blank and line 9 begins the story.
Use 20 or 24 pound paper.
Manuscript MUST be double spaced with each page numbered.
Do not print on both sides of the paper.
NEVER hole punch or bind your manuscript. Use metal clip binders or a single rubber band.
If you want something in Italics, underline it in the manuscript. It’s easier on editor eyes and for the typesetters not to miss it.
Always include a cover sheet with your contact information, manuscript word count and the line you are submitting too.
Well, if you don’t take the chance, nothing will happen. But trust them? Not really….
An agent is called for.
As an experienced writer and published fantasy author, I suggest you find a good editor to clean up your manuscript and get it ready for submission to various agents. You’ll have to research those, as there are no right answers when it comes to agents EXCEPT that you need one if you’re a new author.
Most major publishers these days won’t even open unsolicited manuscripts unless you have previously published something OR you have a super strong query letter or an agent submitting for you. Publisher slush piles are in the thousands, so don’t waste your time, postage or printing costs submitting direct.
Once you have a finished, polished manuscript and an agent to handle it, you should be able to find a publisher sooner or later. Agents know the game and they know what the publishing houses are looking for. Trying it on your own is a long, tedious and often disappointing road to oblivion.
That’s my advice. Good luck with your book.
Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)
THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall ’07)
(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at FiveStarAuthor@aol.com).
My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/
Writers Market or Writers Digest (both online) have some free information although indepth research requires a subscription fee. You can also try an agent look-up on Yahoo or Google. It is almost necessary to have an agent these days as most large publishing houses only respond to agent submissions. I’ll get you some links and post.
eBooks Crossroads – list of literary agents
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/agents.html
Simon & Schuster – publisher
http://www.simonsays.com/content/index.cfm?pid=523105&tab=1
Writers Market – lists agents, book publishers, magazines, etc.
http://www.writersmarket.com
Good luck.
If your novel is truly ready, you would be better approaching an agent first. If you were taken on they would get you the best deal with a publisher.
As to copyright, you wrote it so it belongs to you, but just in case you could post the novel to yourself, and leave it unopened and then if there is any copyright issue, then you can produce the unopened dated package.
That would cost a bit though.
Not necessarily.
If you check the “Writers Market” (which you can probably find in the reference section at the library) and the entry says you need an agent, believe them. But if it says they accept unsolicited manuscripts, believe them there too. That said, if you send a spec manuscript to them cold, it will inevitably go in the “slush pile” and may not get touched for months. An agent can really open doors in terms of getting your manuscript seen in an efficient way.
Don’t go to an agent with poetry or playscripts, though. These are low-margin fields. Legitimate agents can’t afford to work for that kind of small beer, and many unscrupulous agents will take your money and run. These books, you should push on your own.
You have to decide where you are submitting it, to an agent or a publisher and modifiy your manuscript to fit their guidelines. And be really careful to follow them exactly. Most places will immediately discard you if you can’t even format your manuscript to their liking. Don’t forget to check if they want a query letter and a synopsis or just one or the other. Also be sure to check what they’re looking for. If they want a book between 75,000 and 90,000 words, don’t send a manuscript of 69,000 words. But basically, make sure your manuscript is double spaced, has at least your last name at the top and the pages are numbered. I like the website http://www.anotherrealm/preditors. Lots of info there. Hope that helps some. And good luck.
Does anyone know what all you need to send to a Publishing company besides a manuscript?
I have a completed manuscript of a novel I wrote that is ready to send off to a Publishing company. But, I don’t know if anything else is required to send with the manuscript. Does anyone know? and does anyone know of any famous or really good Publishing companies that I can send my manuscript off to?
Big publishing companies & where to send your manuscript?
I can`t get an agent unless I don`t have to meet with them. I prefer not to have an agent, but I doubt thats possible. Basically I was wondering if there`s a famous/big publishing company that will actually get my book out there and not just have five or six readers. If so, how can I contact an agent or, more preferably, send my manuscript immediately to the publishing company to see if I can get it published. Maybe over the internet, but I just don`t want to get scammed and have someone else steal my story. I also don`t want self-publishing, because no one will have ever heard about it. Obviously not saying huge like Harry Pootter huge, but you know, something you would find in your average book store and that most people know at least one person whos actually read it. I know you can`t make any promises with that, but I want to find a publisher where its actually possible and likely.
Do you usually write or type a manuscript for publishing?
Do you usually write or type a manuscript for publishing…?
…or does it depend on what publisher you use?
The reason I ask this seamingly obvious question to most, is that I have seen half of people saying type and half saying a manuscript for publishing is always written; it seems odd to have both, what is the real answer for new writers who need to know…?
I take it from the first answer below that you can have a typed or written manuscript and that it doesn’t matter to the publisher which you choose, am I correct…?
manuscript publishing?
Does anybody know which publishing houses accept manuscripts from previously unpublished authors?
Do I really need a literary agent to submit a manuscript to a publishing company?
I have a really great manuscript, but have know way of getting it to a publisher.
How much we can believe in publishing houses when we hand over our total manuscript to them.?
when we completed our manuscript we must have an idea of publishing them. For that we have to submit our manuscripts to the editor /publishing houses.some times we confused that did we give it to a right person? If he cheat us then what to do? If I submit my writings to a publishing house which are in abroad, through internet is it good for me?how much I believe them and If I will be cheated then what to do?and what are the steps to protect my writings?
Can anyone tell me how to find out the correct way to present a manuscript for publishing?
I have tried loads of writing advice websites but they give everything except the actual layout requirements. There must be somewhere to find the basic information on format and spacing.
cetru/ anotherrealm is exactly what Iwanted. thanks for the quick advice.
thanks to all others who were kind enough to help
If you live in Canada, is it illegal to send a manuscript for publishing to the USA?
I have a story, and I’m thinking about getting it published. I live in Canada. Is it illegal for me to send my manuscript to America?
I want to publish my novel i wrote, Can I send my manuscript to different publishing company?
Also How do I protect my writing from the publishing company still some of my Idea.