You've written your book - what an achievement - I'm celebrating with you! Would like some help with taking it a step closer to publishing . . .?
Read on for a handy little breakdown of editing, proof reading & formatting.
Editing
Developmental Editing
Focus:
The big picture — structure, flow, and overall content.
What it involves:
Structure, organisation and argument. Identifying holes in the narrative, inconsistencies or areas needing expansion.
Who needs it:
Writers who would like feedback on the foundation and structure of their manuscript.
Cost:
4p per word - so, for example, for an average sized 50,000 word book, the cost would be £2K - if I have worked with you in my book coaching programme, Flourish, the cost for this would be lower.
(Manuscripts requiring significant restructuring or in-depth feedback may cost more.)
If you would like to chat about how I could help you with this, please book in for a complimentary chat using the button below.
Editing
Copy Editing
Focus:
Grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
What it involves:
Correcting typos, grammatical errors and punctuation issues. Ensuring consistency in style, spelling, capitalisation, and formatting (e.g. 1st v 3rd person). Checking continuity (e.g. that a motif is maintained in non-fiction).
Who needs it:
Writers with a near final draft that just needs technical polishing and a professional eye cast over their work.
Cost:
2p per word - so, for example, for an average sized 50,000 word book, the cost would be £1K.
(Heavily error-ridden manuscripts may cost more as they require additional time.)
If you would like to chat about how I could help you with this, please book in for a complimentary chat using the button below.
When to Use Each Type:
Early drafts often benefit from developmental editing to get the structure right.
Middle-stage drafts might require line or copy editing to refine the prose.
Final drafts need a proofread to ensure polish before publication.
Editing
Line Editing
Focus:
The style and language at the paragraph and sentence level.
What it involves:
Improving readability, tone and flow.Tightening or enhancing sentence structure to ensure the writing is clear and engaging.Ensuring the author’s voice shines while eliminating awkward phrasing, repetition or redundancy.
Who needs it:
Writers happy with their overall structure but who want their prose polished & professional.
Cost:
3p per word - so, for example, for an average sized 50,000 word book, the cost would be £1.5K
(The complexity of the language and the level of polish required could alter this cost.)
If you would like to chat about how I could help you with this, please book in for a complimentary chat using the button below.
Editing
Substantive Editing
Focus:
A blend of developmental and line editing. The gold standard of editing at The Curious Wolf!
What it involves:
Addressing structural issues while refining the language and style. A more intensive edit, focusing on both the content and the presentation of the text.
Who needs it:
Writers requiring both macro and micro level feedback.
Cost:
6p per word - so, for example, for an average sized 50,000 word book, the cost would be £3K
(Manuscripts requiring significant restructuring may cost more. If I have worked with you in my book coaching programme,Flourish, the cost for this would be lower.)
If you would like to chat about how I could help you with this, please book in for a complimentary chat using the button below.
"Read obsessively. Write furiously. Edit carefully."
Sissy Gavrilaki
Proof Reading
Focus:
The final check for surface-level errors.
What it involves:
Catching typos, misspellings or formatting issues that may have slipped through earlier stages. Checking layout and formatting for printed or digital publication.
Who needs it:
Writers who are ready to publish and would like their manuscript to be error free.
Cost:
1p per word - so, for example, for an average sized 50,000 word book, the cost would be £500.
(This is dependant on whether the manuscript has already been professionally edited - less polished manuscripts may need more time and could incur the line editing rate.)
"The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its writer."
Zadie Smith
Formatting
Print Book Formatting
What it Includes:
Setting up headers, footers, and page numbers. Ensuring proper margins, line spacing, and font consistency. Adding design elements like chapter headings, drop caps or special text boxes.
What Influences Cost:
Complexity: Books with tables, images, footnotes, or multiple design elements cost more.
Length: longer manuscripts typically require more time and effort.
Price Range: £350–£500.
Formatting
Ebook Formatting
What it Includes:
Converting your manuscript into ebook formats like EPUB and MOBI.Ensuring compatibility across platforms (e.g., Kindle, Apple Books, etc.).Adding clickable table of contents and optimising layout for smaller screens.
What Influences Cost:
Complexity: Books with extensive formatting requirements, such as graphics or footnotes, may cost more.
Fixed Layout vs. Reflowable Text: Fixed-layout ebooks (common for illustrated or highly visual books) require more work than standard reflowable text formats.
Price Range: £350–£500.
"A well edited book is easier to read and comprehend, attracting and retaining readers' attention. A polished manuscript enhances engagement and increases the chances of positive reviews and word of mouth recommendations."
Formatting
Combined Print & Ebook Formatting
What it Includes:
Formatting for both print and digital versions, ensuring a cohesive look across formats.Adjusting styles and layout to meet the specific needs of each format.
What Influences Cost:
Combining services often provides a discount, but the complexity of the manuscript still affects the price.
Price Range: £450–£800.
Formatting
Additional Costs to Consider
ISBNs:
Not strictly part of formatting but essential for distribution. In the UK, ISBNs can be purchased through Nielsen, and others, costing around £91for one or £169 for ten.
(Not needed if solely selling on Amazon).
Revisions:
If you request significant changes after formatting, this may incur additional charges.
"The purpose of editing is to ensure that your ideas are presented to your reader as clearly as possible. Proofreading focuses on checking for accuracy in smaller details of your work. It is a part of the overall editing process, and is best done as the final stage of editing."
Selling on Amazon?
You now only have three categories and seven key words to choose when you list your book on Amazon and so it is crucial to choose the correct ones!
54% of categories are duplicates. Finding duplicate categories is a good strategy as if your book sells well, it will also become visible in the duplicate category strings.
27% are ghost categories. You can’t rank for these or get a best seller in them. They point to a browser note rather than a defined category - e.g. best seller rather than best seller in historical fiction. There will also be no category tree on the left. Avoid, avoid, avoid!
Amazon reserve the right to change the category you’re in at any time for a ‘positive customer experience’. They check the keywords that you’re using and decide if they would be a better fit for a different category.
Pick Relevant Categories: Authors have been miscategorising their books (in the hopes of ranking well in low-competition category) for years now. This will not work for you in the long run. Only pick categories that are relevant to your book - otherwise Amazon could move you.
Niche Down: When entering your categories, you want to drill down as far as you can go into the subcategories. These will not only have the least competition, but it will give Amazon a better idea of what your book is about. Plus, if you pick a subcategory, Amazon will automatically include you in the broader categories above it.
Think Outside the Box: While your book may best belong in a high-competition category, there may be other niche categories that you belong in.
With thanks to Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur for the stats and knowledge of publishing on Amazon.
Work with me to find the best categories & key word combinations to get your book to best seller status - and keep it!This includes an investigative
report with recommendations and a strategy session to discuss the way forward. The cost for this is £297.
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