Editing & Publishing Resources for Writers

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Editing and publishing are two parts of the writing process that many writers get stuck on.  Even so, they're very, VERY important!  Find great resources here for editing your work and getting it published, whether that be through a traditional publisher or self-publishing.

Learn more about how writing, editing, and publishing works by reading the best writing blogs, and visit Self-Publishing for Writers.

 

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Latest Editing & Publishing Articles



I am no longer a Topic Editor for Suite101, but you can still find most of these articles intact for your research needs.

Hello from a writing guru! 

When people ask what I do, I love to tell them, "I'm a writer. I get paid to sit around, drink coffee, and make stuff up!" When they ask what I write, I tell them, "Non-fiction...to finance the fiction!"

I published my first ebook in December, 2004, and shortly thereafter, decided to retire from my seven year career as a freelance web developer and dive headfirst into the new and exciting career of writing.

I love the writing lifestyle. Even though my schedule is just as busy as anyone else's, if not more so, *I* get to define when I get up, when I eat, when I go to sleep, when I work, and when I play. (Gotta have the play!) I love that I "create" for a living. At the end of the day I have a product, a result, something that didn't exist before. How many people in 9-to-5's can say that?

When I'm not writing, or reading, or thinking about writing, I find no lack of inspiration in my many other activities. I have been a school board member for five years, and am a volunteer firefighter and HazMat resource technician.

Be sure to visit the Editing and Publishing section at Suite101.com for great information on polishing and presenting your masterpiece. Thanks for reading, and happy writing!

Editing your Work - Articles 

What is Content Editing?
Most writers understand how to edit for grammar, punctuation, and misspelled words, but editing for content can be a bit trickier.
Sure Ways to Turn Off your Readers
Many writers do silly things to frustrate their readers, and you certainly don't want to be left out! Check out this how-to guide for being a master nuisance author.
Can I Start a Sentence with And?
What about so, but, or yet? Learn the new rules for sentence starters.
Friends Make Bad Editors
Find out why you shouldn't let your friends edit your work.
Alot or a lot?
Which is it?
Using Find and Replace in MS Word
This handy tool can shave hours off your editing time.

Editing Your Work - Books 

Think About Editing: A Grammar Editing Guide for ESL Writers

Amazon Price: $34.38 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Teaching Grammar and Mechanics

Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Fix it! Grammar and Editing Made Easy with the Classics

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Formatting Your Book - Articles 

Formatting a PDF E-Book
There are striking differences between formatting a printed book and a PDF e-book. Do you know what these differences are?
Binding your Book
With so many bindings available, how do you choose? Find the binding that is right for your book.
Choosing Cover Art - Color Theme
Tips on chosing a color theme for your new book.
Choosing Cover Art - Images
Where to find images for your book and how to place them.
Chosing Cover Art - Fonts
Tips for using fonts on your book covers.
Chosing Cover Art - Layout
Tips for laying out the design of your book cover.

Query Letters - Articles 

Addressing your Query Letter
The first step in writing an effective query letter is to address it properly. What are the rules for titles and names?
Your Query Letter Hook
The hook is important to making sure your letter doesn't end up in the recycling bin. How can you ensure your reader will want to read more?
Query Letter Mistakes
Don't make fatal errors that will cause your query letter to end up in the garbage. Pay attention to these recommended DON'TS for query letters.
More Query Letter Mistakes
Don't make fatal errors that will cause your query letter to end up in the garbage. Pay attention to these recommended DON'TS for query letters.

Query Letters - Books 

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters

Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters

Amazon Price: $10.79 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Give 'Em What They Want

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Marketing Your Book - Articles 

Marketing Starts Early
Marketing sometimes starts before your book is even written!
Do you need an ISBN?
ISBNs are often seen as complicated codes that only professional authors can get on their books. This isn't so; they are easy to acquire for any new author.
Do People NEED Your Book?
Unless you create a distinct need for your product, people won't buy it.
Your Book's Elevator Speech
The elevator speech isn't just interns anymore. Find out how 25 words or less can create the future success of your book.

Marketing Your Book - Books 

Successfully Marketing Your Novel In The 21st Century

Amazon Price: $11.24 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Power Marketing Your Novel: Marketing and Promoting Fiction and Nonfiction

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Intent to Sell: Marketing the Genre Novel

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Publishing Your Book - Articles 

Publishing Statistics
Intriguing statistics about the publishing industry from famous author Dan Poynter.
To Get Published, You Must Write!
Don't jump the gun tooooo far. Have something written down before you start contacting all those editors.
Where to Sell Your Self-Published eBook
A list of places you can sell that are free, paid, and/or on commission.
Free Publishing eBooks
Free ebooks with info on getting your book published.

Publishing Your Book - Books 

from the Inside...Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

How to Publish Your Novel (Square 1 Writers Guides)

Amazon Price: $14.78 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

How to write and publish your novel (A Reward book)

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Writing Articles - Articles 

Write Articles, Increase Sales
Learn how writing articles can lead to increased sales for your product or service - no matter what it is.

Writing Articles - Books 

The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers 2006

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Increase your Vocabulary 

Learning new things enhances your creativity, and writers can always use new language tools!

hoi polloi: Dictionary.com Word of the Day
hoi polloi: the common people; the masses.
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Reader Feedback 

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  • Reply
    Enabler Enabler Jul 29, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
    We all begin life as artists. You can make your own books for your poetry or stories.
    Hello. My name is Patrice Baldwin. I'm a professional book artist and publisher. I want to invite you to make a real book yourself, to enclose all your thoughts or to tell your story.
    I will teach you how.

    In the eight week E-BOOK BINDING COURSE. You will learn a new book structure each week. I'll send you pictures and diagrams and be with you (so to speak) step-by-step on each book you make. The course is tailored to fit the experience level of each person. It's just like one-on-one private lessons, except that we do it the 21st Century way! Sign up and make your own books! http://www.MakeYourBookCourse.com
  • Reply
    SimeyC SimeyC Jan 23, 2009 @ 8:03 am
    Editing is important - I also find that using amateur sites to garner feedback and get 'critiques' also helps - an editor wants at least a fairly decent piece of work - an amateur site gives you the feedback and can also help on the grammar prior to the effort required to get edited!

    Nice lens though.

    www.papertank.com
    http://www.squidoo.com/PlayWiiFit
  • Reply
    moneyman17 moneyman17 Dec 1, 2008 @ 9:07 am
    Your tips certainly are top-notch. so i want to Invite you to visit and submit your articles to
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  • Reply
    Isabel22 Isabel22 Mar 22, 2008 @ 10:05 am
    Great lens .Useful information on editing and publishing.Editing and publishing are two parts of the writing process that many writers get stuck on.Here is also a similar kind of information on book publishing
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  • Reply
    tltfaas tltfaas Oct 12, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
    This is an excellent lens. One of my clients, Keller Media, has a book proposal CD course and a live workshop for writers. You might want to add them to your resource list.

    http://www.KellerMedia.com
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