Seek Feedback on Your Writing

Overwhelmed by the daunting task of editing your book now that you are a good chunk of the way through?

Here at Wheatmark, one of the questions we hear a lot is, "Did you read it? What did you think?"

Why wait to find out what people think?

Wheatmark offers editing services from copyediting to book doctoring -- but that is when the book is in its more finalized manuscript.

Many authors don't realize that earlier on in the process of creation is a great time to actually begin the editing process and seeking feedback.

One of the ways you can help focus your story and also help gauge interest in your work is also a great marketing tool: A blog.

I know. You're nervous about sharing your work when it is still very much in an initial draft. Think of it this way: Which is harder, having someone read a work in progress and have some constructive criticism you can take or leave or having someone critique your final, unchangeable product?

Using a blog to post sections of your book and allowing people to comment on your passages is a great way to get feedback, let people be supportive of your work, and eventually will be a great platform for launching your actual book.

Online channels are the most open and available for independently published authors to sell their books. Social marketing is a great way to tap into a population of book readers, buyers, and other writers.

Using your blog as a home base will help you gain readership and also help you create the book you have in mind.

Having trouble getting started? Check out a previous post I wrote on setting up a free Blogger account.

We offer some great resources on writing and editing for you to read also if you'd like to check them out!

Beating the Editing Drum

We can't say it enough. In fact, we mention in as Mistake Numero Uno in the introduction of our free downloadable book marketing workbook. So I'm going to say it again!

When publishing a book, it is vital that what is inside the book is the best that it can be. After months of work, why sell yourself short by not having it professionally copyedited? The money you spend on a service like this is well worth it, in my opinion.

There is nothing more frustrating that picking up a book and finding error after error within the text. It reduces the author's credibility and it reduces the reader's enjoyment.

In order for an independently published book to be successful by any measure, there are steps that need to be taken; one step being that it must be able to compete on a similar quality level as a traditionally published book.

The cover look, the typeface used (we heartily recommend not using Times New Roman for your interior font ... or Papyrus ... or all caps, italics, and underlines -- yes, we've been asked) are all important for the initial pass by your readers.

But up there on that list is not driving your reader crazy with text corrections that could easily have been caught with a pass through of a copyediting pro.

Give your book the best possible chance: hire someone. Seeing a book through to completion is hard work. Seeing an errant "t he.." after completing that book is even harder.

Cut yourself, and your reader, some slack and make your book the best it can be.

Get copyediting. "You're readers'll thank use..

See? I told you it was important.

The Best Books Begin with Good Writing & Editing

I work in marketing, so you may not expect that I'd chime in on such things as plot and character development, grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, etc. But, the most basic truth about book marketing is, a poorly written and edited book is both difficult and embarrassing to market.

If you are hoping to see some success with your book, take your time with the editing process. And don't just make sure you've dotted your "i's" and crossed your "t's," have someone else--ideally someone qualified in such matters--take a thorough look at your manuscript.

For frequent and fascinating discussions on the nitty gritty of writing and editing, I urge you to visit The Blood-Red Pencil Blog. And remember, a book is judged not only by its cover, but on its insides too!

Happy Publishing!