Jocelyn Carbonara 11/28/24 Jocelyn Carbonara 11/28/24

Seven Ways to Save You Time and Money in Book Editing

Authors often ask me how many revisions they will need by a professional editor. Each phase adds up financially, so my goal is to help streamline the process without sacrificing quality. Which leads me to answer: “It depends. Each revision will take your manuscript up at least a full letter grade.” This means you might move from a B to an A, etc.— up one level in quality with each full edit.

My goal is to help you earn an A. Sometimes this can be done with three basic rounds: developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. But a lot depends upon what shape the manuscript is in when I get it.

To save you time and money, here are tips on how to resolve the most common issues I see in manuscripts sent to me. This will help you get the most out of your editing experience.mmary-goes-here

Jocelyn Carbonara 11/14/24 Jocelyn Carbonara 11/14/24

Writing as Therapy or Advocacy

In uncertain times, are you prone to action to channel your anger, disappointment, or desire for change? Do you join or lead causes, schedule a protest, or become vocal in online platforms? If you’ve experienced trauma by an individual, perhaps you’ve prosecuted or confronted your perpetrator. All these actions are justified and often necessary.

But many are more inclined to process their emotions internally, expressing them in ways that may seem abstract—but which can still deliver impact. And one of those methods is writing.

Scott Carbonara 11/7/24 Scott Carbonara 11/7/24

Do You Need a Ghostwriter? Six Scenarios Where a Ghostwriter Makes Sense

You might assume that only celebrities and politicians use ghostwriters. Did you know some of your favorite childhood serials like Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Goosebumps, and The Baby-Sitters Club used them? And if you’re a fan of Ian Fleming’s James Bond books or the works of Robert Ludlum, you’re already familiar with the work of ghostwriters.

Instead of outing our most cherished authors who used ghostwriters, let’s explore the scenarios where a ghostwriter makes sense, to see if ghostwriting is right for you.

Jenny Lisk 10/31/24 Jenny Lisk 10/31/24

How to Research and Evaluate a Hybrid Publisher

If you’re currently writing a book, or even have a finished manuscript in hand, you’ve probably thought about the next step: How will it be published?

Maybe you’ve struck out in the search for an agent or traditional publisher. Perhaps the prospect of self-publishing feels daunting. You may have heard about “hybrid publishing” and wondered if it’s the solution you’re looking for.

Scott Carbonara 10/10/24 Scott Carbonara 10/10/24

Rituals to Help You Write

Many athletes perform rituals when they’re on a winning streak. For example, some refuse to shave, wear the same socks for each game, or fuel up on the same pre-game snack. While it’s doubtful that these quirky habits play any part in the outcome of a game, these rituals may help an athlete mentally prepare.

Writers also need to put on their "game day" mindset quickly when planning to write. Although professional writers can generate inspiration out of thin air, most of us need to prime the pump to get our heads ready.

Here are a few pre-writing rituals to kickstart your creative process.

Jocelyn Carbonara 10/3/24 Jocelyn Carbonara 10/3/24

Does My Book Need an Outline?

When writing a book, you’re like a tour guide inviting a reader on a journey through your topic. Readers aren’t risking much to spend a few minutes scanning an 800-ish word article. If they’re bored, confused, or even offended, they can move on and still enjoy their lunch. But what about with a non-fiction book, which averages 50,000 to 60,000 words? That’s like going on a weeklong road trip with you.

Welcome to the Spiritus Books Blog

Seven Ways to Save You Time and Money in Book Editing

Writing as Therapy or Advocacy

Do You Need a Ghostwriter? Six Scenarios Where a Ghostwriter Makes Sense

How to Research and Evaluate a Hybrid Publisher

Rituals to Help You Write

Does My Book Need an Outline?

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