These ranges show what agents and editors usually expect for adult fiction submissions, though they might vary slightly depending on the market or subgenre. For children’s or young adult genres, ranges differ, and we’ve marked those where applicable. These ranges serve as your guide—stick close to your genre to meet agent expectations, but don’t [...]
Disclaimer: No real magic is involved, even if it might seem that way to newcomers. The perfect (and often elusive) query is a blend of art and science. You may wish there was a magical shortcut by the time you’re finished, but the work you put into this step is critical. The perfect query [...]
Most normal people tend to get hung up on such a choice. It can seem like you're making a life-and-death decision, and it is, since it could determine the survival of your manuscript and your potential career as an author. When my daughter was very young, I noticed that she would get very upset [...]
Let’s dive into the concept of “Widow/Orphan Control,” a formatting feature that can polish your manuscript and ensure a professional look. This is especially relevant now that you’re refining your formatting post-editing. What is Widow/Orphan Control? Widow/Orphan Control is a typesetting and word processing setting that prevents single lines of a paragraph from being [...]
Formatting Before Editing These steps establish a clear, uniform foundation for editing, ensuring formatting changes don't interfere with your revisions. Use a standard font and size: Set it to Times New Roman, 12-point, before writing or editing. This ensures readability and aligns with industry standards from the start. Set consistent margins: Establish 1-inch margins [...]
Should you combine all the editing into one, or handle it separately? SHORT ANSWER: Handle it separately! Focus on one thing at a time. Let’s break it down. Lumping Together: Editing punctuation, grammar, and style all at once can be efficient if you’re short on time or working on a brief piece. However, it [...]
Should You Self-Edit First or Instead of a Professional Editor? The simple answer is this: First, make your own passes to refine your book, then hire the professional(s). Here’s the breakdown. Before involving a Professional Editor: This is the recommended method. Self-editing rounds refine your draft by identifying obvious errors and clarifying your message, [...]
Steps for Revising Your First Draft As you work through your first draft, consider reviewing the Writers Club list of Alternative Words for Said as well as our Consideration for Contractions list to make your dialogue more colorful. Take a Break First: Step away for a few days or weeks (if time allows) to [...]
These steps are designed to help you move forward, whether you’re working on fiction, nonfiction, or a hybrid, building on the outlining advice we’ve discussed. Start with Your Outline as a Guide: Use your outline (e.g., chapters or plot points) as a roadmap, but don’t be too rigid. Let it guide you while leaving [...]
What is the Pomodoro Technique? The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method designed to increase productivity by dividing work into focused intervals, separated by brief breaks. Here’s a clear explanation of how it works and why it could help you with your book draft or other projects. Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the [...]
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