One of the most common questions I receive is, “Why isn’t my book selling?” The answer is usually painful to hear. Avoiding that question altogether lies in tackling another question early in the publishing process, “What will prevent my book from selling?”
Editing is one of the absolute factors that will influence your book sales. The degree to which you personally edit your thoughts and writing, combined with the degree to which you invest in professional editing will ultimately play a large role in developing reader comfort. A great edit will not ensure your book sells, but it will definitely eliminate one of the largest potential detractors that might prevent book sales.
Some authors decide against getting their books edited. It takes time, can be expensive, and can be emotionally invasive. After putting your heart and soul into something, it can be very difficult to hear what needs to be fixed. By definition, editing is critical, so it’s not at all uncommon to see authors avoid it like the plague. When I wrote my first book I did not initially have it professionally edited, and it was one of the larger mistakes I made in my first foray into publishing. I thought that I was saving money and time, but in the end I was mistaken on both counts. It did not save me time and ended up costing me more in the long run.
The truth of the matter is that even extremely experienced writers have their works professionally edited. Traditional publishing houses put every book through a minimum of two edits.
Professional editors, like the ones we work with at Black Tower Publishers, are trained to put their own personal feelings aside and focus on enhancing your work. There is a significant difference between having a professional do the job and letting a friend edit your book. Friends have a tendency to be less critical than is helpful. Although they may have the best intentions, their ability to ensure the essence of your book is conveyed properly generally falls short.
The two questions that are probably on your mind at this point are, “How much editing do I need”, and “How much is it going to cost?” Every manuscript is different. Fortunately there is an inexpensive way to address both questions: a Manuscript Review Analysis. Black Tower Publishers offers this professional service; designed to help authors know the type of manuscript editing they would need for their manuscript, and they will also review the manuscript and give tips on how to better the manuscript. The last time I checked, they charge about N4,500 for that service. Manuscript Review will help you know what you are doing. They will let you know if your manuscript is ready to be edited and published, or if you have to revisit the manuscript and do some more work on it.
So whether you’re just starting your work or wondering why it isn’t selling the way you would like, it’s always a good time to think about editing.
Happy Publishing!
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