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    Hi, I'm Ray Evans. I'm a certified copyeditor and proofreader. 

    This blog is a compilation of tips and observations that I've seen from successful independent fiction authors to help you put out your best work and make a living off of your writing. 

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3 Different Types of Editing Your Book Will Need

10/30/2022

 
Getting a new pair of eyes on your manuscript will help weed out even the smallest problems and improve its readability.

Professional editors can help here. Copyediting, line editing, and developmental editing are common in the publishing world. Your work may need one, two, or all three. To determine what editing services you need, first let's look at what each them entails

Developmental Editing

A developmental editor evaluates the project's big picture arc, from character interactions to themes to scene and chapter organization.

Developmental editing helps self-published authors with storyline, setting, and characters. The editor may suggest ways to flesh out a character to add depth to the plot, etc. Developmental editing can assist you avoid plagiarism, libel, and missing authorization. You developmental editor will rarely make grammar suggestions or changes.

And what's line editing?

Line and copy editing are often confused. As the name implies, the editor examines each line and sentence in the text. The focus is on word choice, grammar, and sentence meaning, not writing mechanics. The editor considers if your words communicate the intended meaning. Line editing helps eliminate jargon and keep sentences succinct. Line editing improves text flow. 

Copy Editing

Copyediting meant to make your book read flawlessly. It improves language and eliminates mistakes. Given the global adoption of UK and US English, spelling inconsistencies are prevalent. If you've used "flavor" in one place and "flavour" in another, the copyeditor must use only one. Copyediting can fix spelling, formatting, grammatical, and sentence structure issues. Copyeditors usually make sure your work follows a style guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style.

And what about proofreading?

Proofreading is the final step of the writing process, after developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting are completed. It involves reviewing a text for errors before publishing it commercially. It's the final step of writing, when you address spelling and punctuation errors, typos, formatting flaws, and inconsistencies.
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What is Hybrid Publishing and is it right for you? (An unbiased guide)

10/28/2022

 
Hybrid publishing combines traditional and self-publishing. A hybrid publisher acts like a traditional publisher, but authors pay most or all of the publishing costs and aren't granted a royalty advance.

Hybrid publishers have editorial, design, and marketing departments, like traditional presses. The goal is to support authors who want traditional publishing but can't or won't deal with a traditional publisher.

Hybrid publishing isn't vanity publishing in theory, but the reality can be disappointing. Learn about hybrid publishing below.

Costs

Traditional publishers buy manuscripts they like and lead them through editing and marketing. Traditional publishers pay authors an upfront amount (an "advance") and cover all production costs for their publications. Hybrid publishing is different.

​Publisher splits costs

In hybrid publishing, the author fronts, or shares, production costs and doesn't earn an advance. The publisher handles everything (editing, marketing, etc.). Authors that don't want to manage editorial, design, and marketing can hire a hybrid publisher.

Some authors crowdfund the first expenditures by pre-selling their book and using the money to pay the hybrid publisher. Unless the author raises a minimum amount, the book will be cancelled.


Big investment, low returns

The hybrid publishing approach means the author pays a large percentage of the cost and assumes financial risk. They must trust the press to promote their book well. If things go south, the author has little recourse to recoup their investment.

If your novel has commercial potential, get an agent and pitch to traditional publishers. If you can afford it, self-publish. You can construct your own team of experienced editors and designers and keep all the revenues.

Royalties

Let's examine how hybrid publishers affect royalties.

Better royalties than traditional

Hybrid publishing lets authors earn more royalties per book sold, like self-publishing. A regular book agreement gets authors 10-15% in hardcover royalties, 8-10% in paperback, and 25% in ebook. Hybrid publishing can provide up to 50% in royalties.

Self-Publishing Profit Lost

Hybrid publishing allows you keep more royalties than traditional. Why split royalties when you're already investing and taking risks? Self-published authors get 70% royalties on $2.99-$9.99 ebooks, 35% on other ebooks, and 40-60% on print books.

Hybrid Publisher don't really care about quality

The ideal hybrid publisher is choosy about the authors they work with and wants to shape and advertise their publications.

IBPA released nine requirements for a respectable hybrid publisher in 2018. Many of these criteria involved editorial control, including vetting submissions. Like a traditional publisher, a reputable hybrid must ensure their products will reflect well on their writers and sell well.

Most "hybrid" publishers are actually vanity presses misrepresenting their economic model to swindle authors. A vanity publisher knows it's hard to sell a book and will pressure the author to pay for add-ons and extra fees. If they're especially unpleasant, they'll hold the author's IP ransom.

If they'll publish practically any author who pays, they're a vanity press, not a hybrid publisher.

They don't help with marketing because they can't

Without the marketing power of a larger company, a hybrid publisher's editorial and design divisions can struggle to gain exposure. You may have to hustle to generate sales like a self-publishing author.

Marketing hybrid novels is difficult. Unlike self-published authors, hybrid-published authors can't afford ads or marketing; they have limited marketing resources. Hybrid presses "only" make 50% on sales, hence they have little motivation to grow sales and smaller budgets overall. Hybrid presses gradually increase manufacturing costs to survive, which harms authors.
There you have it; this is the good, the bad, and ugly about hybrid publishing so you can make an informed decision!
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Three More Tips to write better antagonists in your stories

10/26/2022

 

DON'T MAKE THE ANTAGONIST TOTALLY EVIL:​

Your antagonist, like your protagonist, should be multifaceted and have a interior life. You might make him/her more likable by endowing them with good characteristics like these: charm, attractiveness, humor, pathos, passion, family focus, etc. Hannibal Lecter is extremely charming, and he uses this quality to draw others into his orbit. Smeagol is a pitiful tiny creature who evokes sympathy from onlookers, which makes his transformation into Gollum all the more unsettling. If your adversary can appear harmless at first, they will have a greater impact on the people around them.

YOUR ANTAGONIST BELIEVES THAT THEY'RE THE HERO

Every good antagonist knows they are the protagonist of their own life story.
In most cases, the antagonist has no idea they are the antagonist. Although others may view their actions as horrific, they believe they are justified in their own minds.

In the Walking Dead graphic novel, Negan thinks that his group is actually helping the survivors but he's forcing them give him tribute under pain of death (hence the reason is group is called the "Saviors"). 

 GIVE THEM INDIVIDUAL GOALS

Your antagonist, like your protagonist, should be working toward something. When their goal is in direct contradiction to the protagonist's, tension is heightened.

In any Batman story, Batman want to bring peace, order, and safety to the streets of Gotham by eliminating violent crime, while the Joker wants to bring more crime and chaos hence putting the two at odds on nearly a daily basis.
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Three Tips to write better antagonists in your stories

10/25/2022

 
Picture
The only way to build your protagonist's character arc is to create the strongest, most powerful antagonist you can.

How do villains contribute to a script beyond just being bad guys? 

An antagonist's only function is to force your otherwise passive protagonist onto a path that will hopefully lead to the hero's emotional or psychological enlightenment. Your protagonist's arc, or transformation into a better version of themselves, will only happen if they make it through this ordeal alive. Only the antagonist has the power to do that.

The more powerful and dangerous the opponent, the more difficult and exciting the adventure of your protagonist will be. Here are four techniques to make your antagonists stronger.

​THINK UP A PAINFUL BACKSTORY FOR THEM:

Do villains always represent the worst in humanity? Absolutely not! The best villains are multifaceted beings whose actions are motivated by an inner anguish so deep that it hijacks their humanity and their capacity for empathy. They are driven by an unrelenting desire for something—usually power—and will resort to whatever means necessary to obtain it.

You should know every piece of your antagonist's past whether or not you want to incorporate it in the script. What traumatic experience did this character go through that broke their capacity for empathy so severely that it can never be restored? 

The film Joker gives us a deep look inside Joker's troubled mind, which was shaped in part by his mother's mental illness and his own psychotic beliefs. The loss of his childhood sled, "Rosebud," symbolizes the loss of Charles Foster Kane's innocence and happiness in the film Citizen Kane. Determine what event or series of events caused your antagonist's irreparable damage and use that as the driving force behind their actions.

DEVELOPE A SUITABLE ANTAGONIST TO COUNTER YOUR PROGATONIST

Your enemy exists solely to effect a transformation in your protagonist. Your adversary will be pushed, punished, and tortured to the breaking point, where the hero within them must either rise up and defeat the antagonist or die trying. Indeed, there may be many ways in which the protagonist and antagonist are identical; the difference is that one of them selected the path of light and the other, the path of darkness.
​
Determine why your nemesis is the one thing that will drive your protagonist to transform or die?

FIGURE OUT THEIR OBJECTIVES AND NEEDS:

Please be clear and precise. The ruby slippers are wanted by the Wicked Witch in Baum's The Wizard of Oz. An antagonist typically wants power and sees the protagonist as a threat to their getting or keeping it.

Find out what your enemy really wants and why they want it.

If you're stumped by this query, it may be time to examine your protagonist and their motivations more closely. In most stories, the protagonist and antagonist are polar opposites, with the protagonist acting selflessly and the antagonist acting selfishly.

That's it for today, come back tomorrow for three more tips!
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Beta Readers are your secret weapon to improve your next story

10/24/2022

 
A beta reader is someone who reads a book manuscript to provide comments to the author. Although beta readers are neither editors or expert critics, they can assist the author enhance the work by pointing out flaws, plot holes, contradictions, or unclear portions.

Your betas should read and love novels comparable to yours on a regular basis – familiarity with your genre will allow them to point out worn-out cliches or crucial aspects lacking from your plot. Your ideal betas are essentially representative of your target audience.

The Best Beta Readers Can't Replace Editing

Although beta readers provide quality control at an earlier stage of the writing process, they should not be used to replace a professional editor.

Editing Process Stages

Typically, the writing and editing process goes as follows:

  1. You go through multiple rounds of self-editing on your text.
  2. When you're satisfied with it, you distribute it to a few beta readers.
  3. You submit it to an editor after revising your work based on the beta reading feedback. 
If you are paying for your own edits, it is critical that you get as far as you can with your manuscript before bringing it in a professional editor. You won't spend your money (or their time) resolving minor errors that you (or a beta reader) could have identified earlier. Instead, your editor will be able to focus on polishing your manuscript for querying or publication.


Finding Beta Readers

You should search outside your personal network for the most honest, candid, and potentially valuable input. So, before you look into the rest of your possibilities, start by visiting writing communities.

A quick, and free way, is to do a Facebook search for "beta readers" and you'll find dozens of active groups of avid reads. Just be sure to post a detailed description of your book so you can make sure that you attract people who are interested in your genre. 

You can also find paid beta readers for more structured and formal feedback on Fiverr or UpWork. 

Be Clear About What You Want From Betas

You're not looking for vague feedback. You've put a lot of work into your book and you want it to be perfect before you publish here are some questions you should give to your beta to answer after finishing your story:

  • Is there a natural transition from one scene to the next?
  • Were you aware of any locations where information was omitted?
  • Can you plainly observe the activity while reading?
  • Can you plainly see the characters as you read?
  • Is the dialogue natural and realistic sounding?
  • Is the character growth believable?
  • Which character is your least favorite, and why?
  • Which section is your favorite, and why?
  • Did you have a favorite and a least favorite part? What is it, and why is it important?

Finally, establish a deadline for them to offer input. You may be hesitant to do so if your beta reader is assisting you for free, out of goodwill. However, as long as you are flexible and reasonable, your beta readers will enjoy knowing when you want their feedback – and it will also help you plan ahead.

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Here's the average royalty rate for books in 2022

10/21/2022

 

​So, what is the typical author royalty rate?


How much do authors get in royalties? 🤑

Royalty rates differ depending on the format of the book, such as print or ebook.

They also differ between publishers (if you go the traditional route, which I think is unnecessary in 2022 and beyond) and stores (if you self-publish to them directly).

The average royalty rate for traditional publishing is around 10%, and up to 70% for self-publishing.

 Self-Publishing Royalty Rates!

Amazon KDP: up to 70% royalties for books between $2.99 and $9.99,
35% if less than $2.99
​
Apple Books: up to 70% royalties

Google Play Books: up to 70% royalties

Barnes & Noble: up to 70% royalties for ebooks, 55% for print books

Kobo: up to 70% royalties for books priced more than $2.99, 45% if below $2.99

Standard Publishing 😞

Paperback: 5-8% royalties

Hardcover: 15% royalties
​

Ebook: 20-25% royalties
The good folks at McZell Book writing actually crunched the number to find out how much the author would earn for a $14.99 book that was self-published vs traditionally published and here's the verdict:
Picture
And that's a $23,700 difference 😱

Of course the biggest advantage to traditional publishing is that it easier to get visibility so I wouldn't write it off entirely. 

But there you have it: self-publishing is potentially a more profitable route to ensure that your next story is financial success.

If you're looking for proofreading or copyediting before publishing your next book, to ensure you get more sales, request a free sample by using the form here.
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Here's how much you can make self-publishing your own books

10/19/2022

 
Self-publishing is now easier than ever for authors who don't want to be traditionally published, thanks to platforms like Amazon.

​With increased accessibility and ease of access comes increased competition. So, how much money can self-publishing your book make you? The figure will vary depending on a number of factors discussed below.

So, What Exactly Is Self-Publishing?

Self-publishing means that the author publishes their book without the assistance of a traditional publisher (the famous "Big Five" publishers include Penguin/Random House, Harper Collins, and others). The term "self-published books" typically refers to written media such as books and magazines, whether physical or electronic ( aka, eBooks).

Advantages of Self-Publishing

There are numerous advantages to self-publishing, including:

  1. You take control of your own destiny. Instead of waiting to see if a publisher or literary agent is interested in publishing your work, you can move forward with the publishing process.
  2. You have complete creative freedom. In the traditional publishing world, your work will be met by a slew of gatekeepers, each with their own take on your content, cover, and even the title of your book. When you self-publish, you have complete control over the process and can hire whoever you want to assist you.
  3. Another significant advantage is the potential to earn more money due to higher royalty rates. Royalty rates for traditional publishing deals range from 7% to 25%. This figure rises to around 70% for indie authors. That means you could potentially keep a much larger portion of your earnings.

Cons of Self-Publishing

  1. Higher initial costs. Traditional publishers will cover the costs of editing, design, printing, and marketing for your book. When you self-publish, you are responsible for all upfront costs. Furthermore, publishing deals frequently include financial advances, whereas self-publishing does not.​
  2. There is less visibility. You must understand how to reach your target readers, and when you self-publish, you must forge your own path to find them. The resources and visibility provided by large publishing houses increase the likelihood of critical acclaim, literary awards, and your book becoming a bestseller. We're not saying it's impossible; it'll just be a little more difficult, especially if you're just starting out.

What Do Self-Published Authors Earn?

The earnings range for self-published authors varies widely and is primarily determined by the number of books sold. 

Self-published authors can earn up to 60% royalties on a single book sale. This is significantly higher than the 10-12 percent royalties paid to traditionally published authors. 

Furthermore, while self-published authors can publish two to three high-quality books per year, traditionally published authors must wait two to three years to publish a single book.

The earnings of self-published authors vary depending on:

  • Annual number of books published
  • The number of books that are currently available
  • Royalty percentage based on book sales
  • Size of the audience
  • The book's genre
  • Following on social media

There are some quick and simple tips and tricks that authors can use to boost their self-published sales. This includes the following:
  1. Increasing your social media presence —By increasing your social media presence, you can reach thousands more readers. Use social media to promote your book, connect with readers, and create excitement for new releases.
  2. Hire a cover designer — People do, unfortunately, judge a book by its cover. You need an eye-catching cover that clearly conveys your book's message and makes people want to read it.
  3. Don't limit yourself to one format — nowadays, readers read on a multiplicity of devices. To meet your readers where they are, publish in a variety of formats, such as eBooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks.

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How to become a successful author without a newletter, website, or email list in 2022!

10/17/2022

 

Okay, here's how you do it!

You don't. 

​Every
successful indie author uses email lists and newsletters to build relationships with readers, then to sell to them. 
​
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The best places to publish your books to sell more

10/15/2022

 
The following are my preferred self-publishing outlets of my most successful clients.

If you publish your book in the order outlined below, you can maximize the number of copies sold and increase your sales

1. Amazon:

Amazon is no surprise. Self-publishing authors should start with Amazon's KDP platform. It's easy to upload your book to their site, plus they have the most customers and good royalties.

 KDP makes it easy to switch formats after publishing in one.

Unless you join Kindle Select, Amazon doesn't require you to sell your book only through them. Kindle Select makes your book available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers, who pay a monthly charge to read e-books. I propose skipping Kindle Select despite the extra cash it may provide so you can sell your e-book elsewhere.

After publishing your book on KDP, you have 4 more options.

​2. Google Play Books:

Google Play Books at a surprising #2.  This platform doesn't have as many customers as others, but it has one edge. Google Play Books makes your book more searchable.

Since it's free and offers 70% royalties, Google searchability sets it above the rest. Most of the world's search engine traffic goes through Google, thus making your book more accessible through Google can reach clients outside bookseller sites.

3. Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble is a well-known bookstore. Barnes & Noble Press allows authors to self-publish through this well-known bookseller. They offer many of Amazon's KDP's benefits, but to a smaller audience.
It's free to publish on their user-friendly platform. Barnes & Noble Press self-publishes e-books and paperbacks like Amazon's KDP. They provide hardcover self-publishing, which KDP doesn't.

​
Through agreements with Inkubate and 99designs, they assist authors in locating service providers such as marketers, and book cover designers.

​4. Apple Books:

Apple Books is a favorite choice for many Apple e-book readers. Apple Books for Authors has many of the same capabilities as Google Play Books but isn't as user-friendly or connected to search engines.
High royalty rates and no-cost publishing make publishing directly to Apple Books worthwhile. If you upload your book from a non-Apple device, expect a tough user experience. Some authors give up when navigating the publication portal.
Most self-publishing platforms offer 70% royalties for successfully uploaded e-books. Apple only accepts e-books, so publish your paperback somewhere.

​4. Kobo

Kobo Writing Life is Rakuten Kobo's self-publishing platform. Kobo doesn't sell paperbacks, only e-books. Kobo gives 70% royalties and is free to publish on.

Internationally, Kobo is popular. It has a strategic agreement with Walmart to distribute writers' e-books in Walmart's app.
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3 Simple Steps to Sell More Books on Amazon

10/13/2022

 
If your book is on Amazon, your goal is to sell more. 

Optimizing for Amazon's algorithm is key to selling books. Sounds confusing? 

I offer 5 easy-to-follow steps with clear instructions to help you use the Amazon Algorithm.

Let's first describe the algorithm. The Amazon algorithm serves customers who are searching and makes relevant product recommendations.

Amazon's algorithm requires tons of product data to do its job (which in your case is a book). The more data the computer knows about your book, the more it will propose a product. Keywords, genres, reviews, sales, downloads, sales rank, and browse activity are Amazon's key book inputs. To maximize your Amazon book, optimize these algorithm inputs. This article will show you how to increase Amazon book sales.

​

1. Write a book summary

Your book description tells Amazon (and potential readers) what your book is about and who will enjoy it. Every decent book description should have these elements:

Accolades

Mention any accolades or distinguishing titles (like bestseller) in your book summary. Everything is noteworthy. Now is not the time to be modest.

Comparables

Fans of best-selling authors will check out your work if you compare it to theirs. If you enjoy [renowned book], you'll like [your book], but as a writer, change it up. Sleeping Giants uses "In the tradition of..." to reference famous works and authors.

Sensational language

Be descriptive. Leave people wanting more after reading your description. Use the first few phrases from a riveting moment in your book. You might compose evocative questions like "Will she make it to the volcano in time?" or statements like "Find out if Mike is her soulmate or if he has an ulterior agenda." Don't use cliches; be innovative.

Genre-specific keywords

Different genres have different tropes. HEA stories are common in romance. Be sure to include keywords that readers in your genre will be searching for. In your book description, don't reveal the plot. Don't spoil your book's trailer. Instead, tease readers.

​

2. Research Keywords and Categories

Categories and keywords help Amazon customers find your book. Your Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account has categories and keywords.

Categories first. You can only choose two genres for each book on Amazon. Choose a category that fits your book's content. Amazon:

“A browse category is where customers can find your book on Amazon. Compare browse to bookstore sections (fiction, history, and so on). You can choose two book categories. Precise browse classification helps readers locate your book, so choose the right ones.

What's the significance? 

These categories form Amazon's charts. The category should match your ideal reader. Even if your spy thriller has a romantic element, don't choose romance as a genre. Romance consumers aren't seeking for espionage thrillers. Peruse the top rankings for your possible categories to determine where your book fits. In the example below, we logged into our KDP account (kdp.amazon.com), chose our book (a Thanksgiving cookbook), and scrolled down to the categories section. Under Cooking, we checked Seasonal and General. In those categories, our book is #1.

Keywords next. Choosing keywords people will look for is called keyword optimization. What would you type in Amazon's search bar to find a book? Consider what words the reader would use to find your book. You should do two searches for title keywords.

First, research your book's keywords. Use these words in your title and book description. Your book's URL will include keywords from your title, making it simpler to find in searches. When a reader searches for Thriller, the algorithm learns to show Hit for Hire because it contains "thriller" in the URL, title, and description.

Use KWFinder or Google's keyword planner to do this.

Say you're writing How to Make Dog Treats. "Homemade Dog Treats" gets 10 times as many searches as "How to Make Dog Treats" Your title and book description should include "Homemade Dog Treats."

Second, study Amazon keywords for your book. Choose your seven keywords for your title carefully. Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur has a great step-by-step instruction on how to research and select keywords.

Amazon has a helpful guide on how to set keywords for your title

Amazon will better promote your book if it's categorized correctly and has the relevant keywords.

3. Reviews

Adding a review to your book description helps engage readers. 

Having multiple book reviews offers people confidence in your work, leading to higher book sales.

Book reviews are another key algorithm input, so focus here. According to our analysis, the number of reviews matters more than the average rating (as long as your average rating is over 3.5 stars).

​This indicates 25 reviews averaging 4.0 stars is better than 5 reviews averaging 5.0 stars.


Conclusion
​

Amazon optimization takes time and effort. 

We know authors have little free time. It's a worthwhile investment. If you follow these five steps, you'll be on your way to selling more books on Amazon.
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