While most of us launching a new venture will do so with a degree of fear and trepidation it need not be like that when publishing e-books. How to launch e-books with complete confidence is about publishing e-books of quality. The confidence comes from knowing the quality value of the book. Yes, there is still some fear mixed with the excitement of knowing your product is as good as possible.
How to Launch E-books with Complete Confidence
A well-written e-book is crucial to sales or developing an email list. As part of the launch, authors seek to have reviews of their book. Great reviews are like gold for e-books.
I spent some time on Amazon Kindle reading reviews; most reviewers found positives to report on. The reviewers that gave e-books thumbs down were by angry buyers who had paid for e-books that had not been well edited or proofread. They were scathing in their reviews.
Two primary reasons your creative words need an EDITOR
1. To eliminate mistakes – embarrassing mistakes!
A cookbook published by Penguin contained a recipe that called for ‘salt and freshly ground black pepper.’ However, the spell checker removed ‘pepper’ and substituted ‘people.’ This one-word slip up caused the embarrassed publishers to destroy the books and then reprint them at the cost of $20,000.
The truth is that we all make mistakes, after all, we are human.
Why authors can miss their own mistakes
The reason writers miss their mistakes is that they created the text, so they know it very intimately. When they are re-reading it, they may pass over an error because their brain automatically compensates with what should be there. Thus the mistake is missed.
Editors are trained to see errors. As the editor’s brain has no memory of the written text, it results in the mistakes standing out.
2. An editor seeks to enhance the reader’s experience
This has to be good for the acceptability of your e-book. However, some authors are upset and even embarrassed by the number of queries that the editor makes. The editor does not want you to feel bad, their only concern is to do their job and to assist you to improve your book.
Authors tend to view their work in a personal manner, and this can blind them to needed changes. On the other hand, editors can view your text objectively.
One example of improving the reader’s experience –
Original text
“In his journey, he met many of the prominent and wealthy families of Ireland. He composed and performed songs and music for them. Some became his patrons and he named tunes after them. Patrons were like sponsors and helped support musicians whose work they liked.”
Editor’s suggestion
“On his journey, he composed music and performed songs for many prominent and wealthy families. Some of these people became his patrons and supported his music and lifestyle. He named many tunes after them.”
Note how the editor could look at the paragraph in an objective way and streamline the text. The same information, yet the reader has eleven fewer words to read.
How to launch e-books with complete confidence
Normally editing has many levels and each level attracts a different fee.
My editing and proofreading service
I have only one level and that is thorough. Thus I have a flat-rate fee.
Copyediting and proofreading are not the same but they do overlap. Most of the checks listed below would fall into editing. Proofreading is checking for typos like the ‘pepper and people’ error in the above example. Spelling mistakes and common errors like ‘your and you’re’. I proofread right before the text is formatted and again after formatting.
What you can expect from my thorough service –
1. I seek to maintain the author’s personality in their writing.
2. Checks for obvious grammar mistakes; but I am not a grammar troll who can find fault in everything.
3. Your text will be checked for repetitious words that result in a boring read.
4. The consistency of information.
5. Tightening of the text. Can the same idea be conveyed in fewer words?
6. The consistency of headings and subheadings.
7. Do hyperlinks go to the correct destination? This includes the table of contents.
8. Are the correct captions under the graphics?
9. Checking of prominent facts.
10. Proofreading before and again after formatting.
In addition to the above
11. I have an independent reader check for comprehension of the text. One method I use is to watch someone reading your text. A stumble while reading or going back for clarification, will indicate the need for some re-wording.
My fee structure for e-books
The first three pages are free.
The rate of $4.00 USD per 300 words of additional text.
“Kathleen did an amazing job editing and proofing my book, Budgeting Made Easy: Thriving on Any Income! She had very professional comments and suggestions on many things I simply overlooked. Kathleen was timely with her feedback.
After revisions and formatting, she made multiple passes through the book to catch all errors. I was extremely pleased with her conscientious work and great attention to detail in order to make my book a high quality and professional publication. I will definitely be using Kathleen’s fabulous proofreading and editing skills again for future work.”
Charissa Quade from Cook With a Shoe
“I am a freelance non-fiction writer. In time past I considered that I had a reasonable grasp of structuring and forming readable content for my blogs, articles or books. I initially relied heavily on a premium version of Grammarly and my previous formal training in writing.
I reached a point where I realized that if the quality of my writing was to advance and connect with readers it needed qualified editorial/proofreading input, not just a relative or some friend to read it and express their unqualified opinion. I engaged Kathleen to undertake that task.
She was meticulous in exposing errors and weak text that failed to connect with readers. She always took time to explain better ways of expressing a point and how it might be said with fewer words and yet convey the point more powerfully. I have to be honest, I was shocked to find how many improvements could be made in my writing. However, the upside of her editorial diligence is that it has been instrumental in making me a better writer.
My own experience has taught me the value of engaging qualified editorial assistance in my writing and I would not hesitate to recommend Kathleen as an Editor.”
Patrick.
If you would like to discuss editing and proofreading with me, there is a contact form in the footer of the page.
Learn more about writing – read this post, 5 weak words to avoid.
Join us – we uplift and encourage each other –
30 thoughts on “How to Launch E-books with Complete Confidence”
what a great service Kathleen – I don’t plan on writing any e-books, but I’ve pinned this to remind me if I ever do. I love that you’re upfront with your services offered and charges (no secret squirrel stuff!)
Thanks so much Leanne. Your writing is so popular, perhaps you should consider writing an e-book:) You have a way of expressing what others are thinking, but can’t put into words.
Kathleen
Good editing is so important!
Bec Bowyer recently posted…The best 5 books I read in 2016
Thanks for your positive comments, Bec.
Found this very interesting on publishing Ebooks and using a publisher. On average what does it cost to publish an Ebook? Thanks for linking up with Blogging Grandmothers Link Party.
candy recently posted…Blogging Grandmothers Link Party #6
Hi Candy, I am glad that you have found the post interesting. As far as costs for publishing, as far as I know the cheapest way is to self-publish on Kindle. That does not cost anything. If you are looking for sales then the quality of the book has to be up to scratch. Charges would depend on the size of the book. You can see in the post what I charge for editing and proofreading. Cover design is very important and also formatting the book to make it suitable to publish in book form. Some authors can either buy or find free templates on the internet and format their own books. I am just finishing a design course, but I am not sure what designers charge for covers. If I find out, I will let you know.
Kathleen
Candy, I am following up on your question regarding charges to publish. I found a post with good information that may help answer your question. http://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/07/01/self-publishing-heres-what-it-costs/
I hope you find that helpful.
Kathleen
Incredibly sound advice. Pinned.
Thanks for the positive feedback, Kristin.
Hi Kathleen,
I wasn’t aware you did proofreading! This was a great post! Such a tragic example you gave earlier! EEk! I used to do freelance proofreading and copyediting years ago. I rather enjoyed it.
Thanks Terri, I am sure you would have been a great copyeditor, I love doing it too.
That’s a very good way of explaining what an editor does.It’s an important thin to.understand for better quality of book.
Amrita recently posted…10 Things you should not let your children play with
Thanks Amrita,
Yes, it is most important for a quality e-book to have an editor and proofreader’s advice.
Kathleen
This is the best news I have got in these few days Kathleen. I have got some ideas in my mind, lets get to do something done. I have been trying to finish one ebook from a long time. Now I would love to make that work. Yay! this seems great positive vibes!
Menaka Bharathi recently posted…Are You Giving Your Child The Right Nutrition
Menaka, I am very happy that you found this post to be a positive influence. I am sure that you will be writing a very beneficial e-book. When you are ready we could work together to make it awesome.
Kathleen
Sure Kathleen! I would look forward to get the writing and compiling done, It is lying around somewhere deep, let me dig it out and be ready!
Menaka Bharathi recently posted…Do You Know Why Organic Food for Babies – Is The Right Choice
Oh my…where were you when I was struggling to proofread my own writing? I certainly could have used your services. My eBook was my first attempt and not very long, but it was still as struggle doing it alone. I don’t even think I launched it aggressively enough. I guess you learn as you go. I am pinning this for future reference and/or to recommend if any of my blogging buddies decided to write an eBook. Thank you for sharing with #blogginggrandmothers.
Thank you for the positive feedback, Clearissa. It is almost impossible to edit and proofread our own writing. My service is available when you need any help.
WOW! Didn’t know you offered this service. Your fees are very reasonable. Will keep you in mind. Thank you for partying with us at Blogging Grandmothers Link Party. I shared your post on my social media sites.
Grammy Dee recently posted…All You Need Is Love
Thanks so much, you are very kind.
Kathleen
A good service to offer. I will pin for later, just in case 🙂
Thank you for coming to the Blogger’s Pit Stop on Thursday!
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
I have seen e-books without editing and it isn’t pretty! Some people don’t care about being grammatically correct, but I do. It tells the world that you are a professional!
Michele recently posted…Comment on What Will Be Your Legacy This Year? by Kathleen Aherne (@CoolTweed)
Great tutorial. I have done two, both differently. Pinning this! Thank you for sharing with us at #OverTheMoon!
Thanks Marilyn for your kind words.
Kathleen
Kathleen, I never knew you were an editor. I usually only stop by for the Blogger’s Pit Stop but decided to browse a bit today.
This is a great service and I like the fact that it’s a flat fee. Sometimes clients ask for a respected and dependable editor and now I can recommend you. ^_^
Enjoy your day
Sara recently posted…What Are Some Tasks I Can Hand Over to My Assistant?
Sara, thank you very much for your offer to recommend my editing service.
Very much appreciated.
Kathleen