5 Self-Editing Tips for Perfecting Your Nonfiction Book
Prepping your work before you send it to an editor helps you in the long run.
Writing a nonfiction manuscript doesn't simply end with the completion of the first draft. The real work begins when you start revising and self-editing your manuscript. These stages are important to the writing process, and they can make or break your manuscript's success.
In this article, we'll discuss how to revise and self-edit your nonfiction manuscript, why it's necessary to make revisions after the first draft, how self-editing and professional editing differ, and what self-edits you should make before working with an editor.
Revising Your First Draft
When you write your first draft, you're focused on getting your ideas down on paper. You're not concerned with grammar, punctuation, or spelling. You're just trying to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page. Once you've completed your first draft, however, it's time to start revising and self-editing your work. These steps allow you to refine your ideas, improve your writing, and make your manuscript more engaging for future readers.
Self-Edits Every Writer Should Do
Before you work with a professional editor, you should complete self-edits to ensure your manuscript is in as good of shape as you can get it. Here are some self-edits you should make before sending the manuscript to an editor:
1. Check Spelling of Places, Names, and Details Only You Know
As a nonfiction writer, you're bound to include unique names, places, and details in your manuscript that only you know. With self-publishing you serve as your own fact-checker, so you must ensure the spelling of these names, places, and details are correct.
2. Read Through for Typos and Correct
Typos can be distracting for readers and can take away from your message's impact. Read through your manuscript for typos and correct them before you send your manuscript to your editor.
You don’t want to bog your editor down a bunch of tiny errors you could have corrected yourself. Plus, by doing these self-edits ahead of time it shows that you are committed to a quality product and that you respect your work and the work your editor will complete for you.
3. Look for and Rework Incomplete Sentences
Incomplete sentences can be confusing for readers and make your writing seem choppy and hard to understand. Slowly read through your manuscript and look for incomplete sentences. Then rework them to improve the flow of your writing.
With self-publishing you often have multiple editing levels to choose from, including basic, line, and developmental editing. If you choose to only invest in a basic edit, your editor will not complete your incomplete sentences.
Even with a line or developmental edit, changes are low that your editor will be able to complete your thought for you. Instead, you’ll see query notes from your editor to finish your incomplete sentences. Get a head start by correcting your incomplete sentences before you send your manuscript to an editor.
4. Check for Run-On Sentences
Run-on sentences, typically 15 to 20 or more words, can be difficult for people to read and understand. Look for run-on sentences in your work and break them into shorter, more manageable sentences.
5. Run a Spelling and Grammar Check
Every program offers a spelling and grammar check, so this is an easy five-minute task you should complete at the end of every round of revisions and self-edits. Running a spelling and grammar check helps you catch any errors you may have missed during your self-editing process. It's not foolproof and it doesn’t replace the work of a professional, but it can be a helpful tool to catch small mistakes.
Self-Editing vs. Professional Editing: What’s the Difference?
Self-editing and professional editing are two distinct stages in the writing process that serve different purposes. Self-editing is your process of revising and refining your manuscript on your own before sending it to a professional editor. It involves checking for typos, correcting grammatical errors, and improving the overall flow of your writing.
Professional editing, on the other hand, is completed by an experienced editor who reviews your manuscript depending on the type of editing you selected, but can include checking for structural issues, consistency of tone and style, and other areas that may need improvement. While both self-editing and professional editing are essential, professional editing is critical when it comes to ensuring the quality of your final work.
After a Professional Edit, Do I Need to Make More Changes?
Yes, almost all writers have to make more changes after a professional edit is complete. Even if you've done a thorough self-edit, a professional editor will likely find things you missed. It's important to be open to feedback from your editor and make the necessary changes to improve your manuscript.
When Is My Manuscript Ready for Formatting?
Once you've completed your revisions and self-edits, your editor has made their changes, and you’ve made final edits based on your editor’s feedback your manuscript will be ready for formatting. Formatting, also called typesetting, involves setting margins based on your selected trim size, font styles, and line spacing, as well as page layouts. Formatting is an important step in the publishing process, as it directly affects the readability of your book.
Final Thoughts
Revising and self-editing are crucial steps in the nonfiction writing process. By making self-edits before working with an editor, you can ensure your manuscript is in good shape and ready for professional editing. After a professional edit, be prepared to make more changes to improve your manuscript further.