Congratulations! You just typed “The End” on page 300 or so of your manuscript and pressed “Save.” After months—perhaps even years—of constantly chipping away at your manuscript, you tied up the plot, the characters faced physical and emotional challenges (and perhaps overcame them), and your closing sentence is perfected. Now that your book is complete, the real work comes in: revision.
Because of my time as a developmental editor at a Big Five publisher, I understand the struggle writers have in creating. Finishing a full novel is not a feat to be taken lightly! But that’s only the first step. Revising effectively is key to making sure all the building blocks of your story are strong enough to hold up to the scrutiny of book professionals and readers alike as it goes through the long and arduous journey toward publication.
So, what does it take to make sure your book is ready? Whether you intend to land an agent, submit to a contest opportunity or publisher directly, or even self-publish, there are some important elements to keep in mind while polishing up your manuscript to make it shine. After working for over a decade in traditional publishing, I’ve seen certain flaws and weaknesses appear again and again in manuscripts. Following these tips will get your manuscript that much closer to publishing-ready.
MAKE SURE YOUR CHARACTERS ARE EFFECTIVE, NOT JUST “LIKEABLE”
Good characters can make
