As I lay on my window sill bench, with my oil instance going, the A/C blowing cool air and my laptop open, I can't help but think that I should get to work. (lol) Anyways, I'm getting into a new stage of editing, outsource editing. What exactly is that? Well let me tell you!
Out source editing is when you send your writing, photos, videos, you name it, to other people to look through the edits for you. Whether that's because you don't have the time, you're not the best at editing, or you just second guess yourself too much like me.
Even thought I went through 3 rounds of edits, with the last having my proof copy in hand and marking exactly where I need to make changes, I still sent my stories out to people. Why? Because that's what you should do if you're writing a book.
Now, I didn't send in my material for people at the beginning because I wanted to to do everything myself. But as I have read other self publishers and indie authors, including Grace Mineta, they all have said the same thing. Get others to read your book!
I know, it's the most scary and judgmental thing you could do to a writer, but it must be done! For some indie authors, not having an editor is the whole reason why they chose the self-publishing route in the first place. But editors don't have to be someone that's in an established environment that will turn down your book and make you start from basically scratch. They also don't have to cost an arm and a leg. They can be your neighbors, that friend that got their degree in English, that other friend who loves to read books as much as you do.
That is exactly what I'm doing. I am sending individual short stories to friends and family (thank you guys again for doing this!) to look through, correct any grammatical errors I may have missed, write down what doesn't make sense to them, or what can be expanded upon.
Though, I have done about 3 rounds of edits by myself. You never know if you miss something. Because what make sense to you, might not make sense to someone who doesn't have the picture in your mind. And you want your book to do good, so that's what I'm doing.
If you're a self-publishing author, let me know what you are doing with your edits! If you've an established self-publishing author, what are some things you would have done differently the first time with your edits? Let me and everyone else know in the comments below!