Creating Happy Writers

S2 Ep52: S2 Ep52: Self-Editing: A Guide to Polishing Your Manuscript

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Once you’ve finished your first draft, you might be wondering what on earth to do next! Do you send it straight to your editor? How can you refine it down to a draft you can be proud of? 

In this episode, I share my step-by-step guide to self-editing your manuscript before you send it to a professional.

During it, you’ll discover:

  • Why it’s important to self-edit your work and how to get your manuscript into the best shape possible before sending it to an expert.

  • The five stages to self-editing and how to approach each of them with confidence - plus two additional tips to help you through the process.

  • The right time to send your work to beta readers so you can get that all-important feedback before publication.

And LOTS more!

Self-editing can feel daunting if you’re a first-time author - especially if you don’t feel confident in your grammar and punctuation skills. But this isn’t about perfection; it’s about getting your manuscript into as good a shape as YOU can before handing it over to the pros. 

Using the stages I share in this episode, you can be sure your editor will be in the best position to do their magic!

Enjoy!

Books/resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 34 - with guest editor Jessica Brown

Further resources from me

  • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

  • Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.

  • Ways to work with Steph 

    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

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