Alex FAQ

  1. Did you get your books that were self-published copy edited or proofread? Why not?
  2. Do you work as an author or a copy editor/proofreader?
  3. How my experience as an author taught me the value of copy editing and proofreading
  1. Did you get your books that were self-published copy edited or proofread? Why not?

No, I didn’t

I haven’t hired a copy editor or proofreader, for a few reasons. I published my first three books without knowing or understanding the value of copy editing and proofreading to writers because I was new to self-publishing and I thought I could manage everything perfectly by myself. I now see that some writing, copy editing, and proofreading aspects could have been improved if I had sought the right help before publishing.

When I published my fourth book, I didn’t have a good author strategy in place to justify hiring an editor or proofreader. I had already self-published three books in the way I did –  through my own effort – besides the cover, illustrations, and what set me on the path in the first place. I think I was slowly becoming aware that I was coming to the end of my self-publishing journey, so it didn’t make logical sense to better prepare my writing for publishing. I had become the best author I was capable of being, at the time, and only a new direction or goal would justify improving my self-publishing model. Being an author was a ‘novel’ experience and a learning curve that continues to help provide me with new ideas and opportunities.

Yes, I did

I have, however, hired a developmental editor for one of my books, and I’ve been working on developing my new fantasy manuscript based on feedback, which involves macro-level restructuring of scenes.

Someday soon, I hope to hire a copy editor.

  1. Do you work as an author or a copy editor/proofreader?

I work as a copy editor and proofreader and I therefore dedicate my time working on your story.

Writing is a hobby, which I enjoy to do in my spare time.

  1. How my experience as an author taught me the value of copy editing and proofreading

Having not chosen to hire an editor or proofreader for my published novels in the past, I can see how a second pair of professional eyes may have helped me:

1) Ensure I was ready to publish the story after the copy editing process.

2) Ensure the mechanics of my writing in copy editing, such as repetition or superfluous words, were spotted and that minor improvements were suggested to these areas.

3) Check my story adhered to standard publishing practice, and if not then to have been sure there was a good reason or author intent if it didn’t.

4) Check the spelling, grammar, and punctuation immediately, avoiding the need for hasty second editions.

5) Query inconsistencies in plot, at the sentence level, and at the macro level if they’re obvious.

6) See my story from the point of view of a reader who reads in my genre, if only for the possibility I would receive useful feedback.

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