Feedback essentials: writing groups, beta readers, and professional editors
Although feedback is often feared and avoided, it is an essential tool for revising your draft and improving your writing skills. By the time you have invested considerable time and effort into your writing project, you may find yourself so immersed in your work that...
Typical writing mistakes and how to avoid them
When you start a longer writing project for the first time, you might wonder about typical beginners' mistakes. The good news is that you can avoid some of these issues by becoming aware of them in the first place. Even if you have some experience under your belt,...
Tips for working with an editor
You've probably dedicated countless hours to conceptualising and crafting your manuscript. The last thing you want is for grammatical and stylistic problems to ruin potential opportunities. After all, your book only gets one chance to make a positive impression on...
Preparing your manuscript for professional editing
Once you are close to completing your manuscript, you may decide to hire a professional editor for the next steps. After carefully choosing an editor, preparing your manuscript (and yourself) for the editing stage is crucial. The tips below show you how to optimise...
How to use developmental self-editing to improve your manuscript
If you’re close to completing the first draft of your book manuscript, you may know the many complex decisions involved in revisions. You may be wondering how to refine your work to make it the best it can be. At this point, many authors hire a professional editor....
How to overcome writer’s block: five effective tips
Are you stuck somewhere in your current writing project and you just can’t move on? Do you perhaps have an idea or two but when you sit down to write, you can’t seem to get started? If your answer to these questions is ‘yes’, you might be experiencing the infamous...