In recent years, audiobooks have surged in popularity, marking a significant shift in the way people consume literature. This trend is not just a fleeting phase; it’s a reflection of changing lifestyles and the evolution of technology. Audiobooks have become a staple for those seeking to indulge in storytelling amidst their bustling lives, offering a unique blend of convenience and immersive experience. Whether it’s during a morning jog, a long commute, or even while performing household chores, audiobooks have proven to be a versatile companion. But what exactly fuels this growing fascination? 

In this exploration, we’ll dive into the heart of audiobooks’ appeal, uncovering the various facets that make them so compelling. From their ability to fit seamlessly into our daily routines to the enchanting allure of narrative voices, we unravel the reasons behind their popularity and also touch upon the intriguing process of how to make an audiobook.

1. The Convenience Factor

In our fast-paced world, convenience is king, and audiobooks reign supreme in this realm. They seamlessly integrate into our daily routines, allowing us to engage with literature without dedicating exclusive time for reading. Imagine turning a mundane commute into an adventurous or intellectually stimulating journey, all through an audiobook. This flexibility is a significant draw, especially for those who struggle to find time to sit down with a physical book. Audiobooks also cater to our multitasking habits. Whether it’s during a workout, while cooking, or even when running errands, they provide a hands-free way to consume books. For the modern individual constantly on the move, audiobooks represent a form of ‘reading’ that aligns perfectly with their dynamic lifestyle. This adaptability to various daily activities is a key reason why audiobooks have nestled comfortably into the lives of many, transforming ‘lost time’ into enriching literary moments.

2. Technological Advancements

The meteoric rise of audiobooks owes much to the leaps in technology. In this digital age, access to audiobooks is at our fingertips, thanks to smartphones and a multitude of user-friendly apps. These platforms have revolutionized the way we access and enjoy books, making it as simple as a few taps on a screen. The convenience of downloading or streaming an audiobook, regardless of location, has broadened the appeal and accessibility of books. Moreover, advancements in audio recording and editing technology have significantly elevated the quality of audiobooks. Enhanced sound quality, engaging sound effects, and skilled narration have transformed audiobook listening into a rich and immersive experience. This technological evolution has not only made audiobooks more accessible but has also improved the production process, allowing for a wider range of books to be available in audio format. The marriage of technology and literature through audiobooks represents a perfect harmony, catering to the modern consumer’s needs and preferences.

3. A Different Storytelling Experience

Audiobooks offer a storytelling experience that is distinctively different from reading text. The power of a skilled narrator’s voice can bring stories to life in a unique and vivid way. Through tone, pace, and emotion, narrators add a layer of depth and personality to characters and settings that the written word alone may not fully capture. This auditory experience can be particularly enchanting, as it allows the listener to perceive the story through the prism of the narrator’s interpretation, often uncovering nuances and emotions that might be overlooked in traditional reading. Additionally, audiobooks can transform the narrative into a more communal and shared experience, akin to the ancient tradition of oral storytelling. The human voice, with its ability to convey emotion and connect with listeners, creates an intimate and engaging experience, making audiobooks a compelling choice for those seeking a more immersive and personal connection with stories.

4. Accessibility for Diverse Audiences

Audiobooks break down barriers, offering unparalleled accessibility that reshapes the landscape of who can enjoy literature. They are a boon for individuals with visual impairments or dyslexia, who might find traditional reading challenging. Audiobooks open up a world of literature to these audiences, ensuring that the joy and knowledge books offer are inclusive and available to all. Moreover, for those learning a new language, audiobooks serve as an excellent tool for improving listening skills and pronunciation. They provide an auditory learning experience that can complement and enhance traditional reading methods. Additionally, audiobooks play a crucial role in promoting literacy, as they can ignite a love for stories in people who may not be avid readers. By offering an alternative route to experiencing books, audiobooks ensure that the world of literature is not just limited to those who read in the conventional sense, but is accessible to a wider, more diverse audience.

The Process Behind Audiobook Production

Delving into the realm of ‘how to make an audiobook’ reveals a fascinating and intricate process. It begins with selecting the right narrator, whose voice must resonate with the tone and style of the book. This choice is pivotal, as the narrator’s delivery can significantly influence the listener’s experience. Following selection, the recording process commences, requiring meticulous attention to detail. Narrators often spend hours in the studio, ensuring each word and emotion is captured authentically. Post-recording, the audio undergoes editing to remove inconsistencies and enhance clarity. This stage is crucial for ensuring a seamless listening experience. Additionally, technical aspects like pacing, tone modulation, and sound quality are fine-tuned. The final step involves publishing the audiobook on various platforms, making it available to the public. This production journey, from narration to distribution, highlights the dedication and craftsmanship involved in transforming a written work into an engaging auditory experience.

In summary, audiobooks have risen to prominence for good reason. They blend convenience with technology, offer unique storytelling experiences, enhance accessibility, and involve a meticulous production process. This fascinating blend makes them an invaluable part of today’s literary world, inviting everyone to experience the magic of stories anew.

If you’re a children’s author, self-publishing can be a great way to share your writing with your audience. This option offers several benefits, such as increased accessibility, a faster turn-around time, and more freedom and flexibility (just to name a few), which is why so many writers are opting for self-publishing over traditional publishing. 

If you’re interested in self-publishing your children’s book, read on to find out some simple tips that you can use to guide you on your journey. 

Learn the Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing

As with anything in life, nothing is 100 percent positive. No matter how many advantages an opportunity offers, there are always a few drawbacks, and this is certainly true with self-publishing. Publishing your own children’s book takes a lot of time, patience, dedication, and hard work, which some might consider downsides; however, the rewards that you can enjoy, if done right, can be amazing. 

Before you decide which path you want to take for publishing your children’s book, familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of self-publishing is a wise idea. 

Pros

• You’ll retain complete control over your work; both creatively and artistically. You’ll be able to write the story you want to, choose the illustrator that works best, and more. 
• It allows for much more flexibility than traditional publishing. For instance, with traditional publishing, picture books usually must adhere to a standard size, as well as specific word and page counts. With self-publishing, you can deviate from these kinds of rigid norms. 
• Self-publishing is much faster than traditional publishing. With traditional publishing, it can take several years to complete the process; however, with self-publishing, you can have your book on the market in a matter of just a few months. 
• You don’t have to rely on anyone to offer you a book deal. You decide that you want to publish your book and you can go ahead and publish it; no questions asked!

Cons

• More than likely, you will need to cover the cost of editing, illustrating, printing, marketing, distributing, proofreading your children’s book. 
• You’ll have to figure out where you can find reputable professionals and reliable tools to help you publish your book. Unfortunately, there are some scammers out there, so you’ll need to learn how to identify them so you can avoid getting cheated. 
• You won’t have the professionalism of a publisher behind you to back up your children’s book and support its launch

If, after weighing the pros and cons, self-publishing seems reasonable to you, you’re ready to proceed on this exciting journey. 

Identify the Age Group of Your Audience

This is a step that should really be done before you set out to write your children’s book; however, when a great idea gets planted in your brain, sometimes you can’t help yourself and you have to put pen to paper to get it all down. That said, you’re going to want to invest the time to research your market and identify the age of your potential readers. Age is important, as it will allow you to determine what their interests are, where they are developmentally, what their reading abilities are, etc. All of these pieces of information are invaluable, as they will allow you to enhance and improve the reach of your children’s book. 

Identifying the age group of your potential readers is also important, as with children’s literature, age determines the categorization of books, and the category is the very foundation of all elements of a children’s book, from the word count to the illustrations, and from the format to the marketing. The following are the main age ranges and categorizations of children’s books: 

• Ages 5 and under – picture books/board books
• Ages 6 to 7 – early readers
• Ages 7 to 9 – chapter books
• Ages 9 to 12 – middle grade
• Ages 12 to 18 – young adult 

Set a Budget

When you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to cover most, if not all, of the costs that are associated with the publishing process. As mentioned above, this can be seen as one of the downsides of self-publishing; with traditional publishing, these costs are usually covered by the publishing house. That said, it’s important to set a publishing budget for your children’s book so that you can determine how much you’re going to need to spend beforehand and aren’t taken by surprise.

Make sure that you list out all of the costs that are associated with the entire publishing process. Some of the common costs that are associated with self-publishing include: 

• Editorial services (developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading)
• Design services 
• Illustrations (including sample and complete illustrations)
• Book identifiers (ISBN, CIP Data, Copyright)
• Printing
• Marketing (website development and maintenance, social media, email, online ads, etc.)
• Distribution 

Edit Your Manuscript 

Just like with traditional publishing, you’ll need to edit your children’s book manuscript before you self-publish it. There are several different kinds of editing; however, at this point, developmental and copy editing are likely going to be the most important. 

During the editing process, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Is your story clear and concise? 
• Does it engage readers? 
• Are the characters interesting and memorable? Do they have unique and distinctive voices and will readers connect with them? 
• Is the language appropriate for the developmental level of your target audience? 

You can revise your manuscript on your own; however, you will want to hire a professional editor before you publish. 

Hire an Illustrator 

Illustrations are a fundamental element of children’s literature. They bring the story to life and make the message and meaning resonate with readers. Some of the best children’s books feature vibrant, unique, and attention-grabbing illustrations. 

There are several sites where you can find and hire professional children’s illustrators. Just do a quick search on Google and you’ll be sure to find a long list of options to choose from. 

Decide: Print or Digital?

Now you’re ready to bring your book to the public, which means that you’ll need to decide if you should print it or go all-digital with an eBook. The benefit of printing is that you’ll have hard-copies that readers will be able to hold onto and keep; however, the downside is the added cost. The benefit of digital printing is that it’s more cost-effective and eBooks can be downloaded instantly; the downside is that there’s nothing physical to hold onto, it means more screen time for little eyes, and there’s always a chance that something could go wrong and the file could get corrupted or lost. 

Which choice is right for you? Ultimately, that’s something you’ll need to decide. 

Self-publishing is a great option for new, aspiring, and even established children’s authors. With the tips outlined above, as well as a lot of hard work and determination, you can bring your children’s book to life – all on your own! 

Contemplating becoming a freelance writer? When you first start, the thought could initially be unnerving. Aspiring writers with a keen eye for research and perseverance would suit this job. Freelance writing is particularly appealing to determined individuals craving flexibility in their lives and freedom in their careers.

A freelance writer should be varied and adaptable, capable of producing diverse types of content for numerous clients spanning a wide range of trades. Some freelancers focus on a specific content niche. Others prefer writing in an assortment of categories comprising fiction and nonfiction.

They can work remotely, so freelance writers communicate with clients digitally via phone, email, or video conferencing. Most writers market themselves as independent contractors, while some prefer working in concert with other freelancers and permanent, in-house specialists.

There are important points you need to be aware of if you’re considering a career as a freelance writer. Learning what the job entails and how to kickstart your independent business is crucial to success. Here’s what you need to know about becoming a freelance writer.

#1 Develop Your Skillset

Think of your freelance writing as a business. To succeed, you’re required to run it as such. Organization and time management skills are imperative. Implement a structured writing routine on your projects by tracking your progress. You’ll also need skills in basic accounting, idea generation, hunting and applying for job applications, and handling client feedback. It helps if you always have a list of topics ready to write for clients.

#2 Keep Evolving Your Skillset

The best writers continue studying and improving their trade. Read a variety of material, and you’ll learn to note different sentence structures, vocabulary, and composition details. Read pieces related to your professional forte, but also broaden your scope. Reading what you wrote aloud gives better comprehension of the material, and practice makes perfect.

#3 Acquire the Tools of the Freelancing Trade

Your tools of the trade are a laptop or a desktop computer equipped with a writing and task management program. Photo-editing software may be beneficial to your work, should you be required to add illustrations for clients.

A website showcases your skillset and informs prospective clients where they can reach you. Banking details should be visible to allow for easy payments and fewer client queries. Make numerous online payment options available, and select what works best for clients to pay you.

#4 Learn to Research and Structure Your Work

Consider a plethora of writing styles and types. Blog writing, for example, typically includes links to other articles relating to the topic. You’ll utilize headlines and brief paragraphs to make content clear and concise to the reader.

Composing and formatting a blog differs from how you would write and present an academic thesis. Brush up on your research skills, and investigate various potential topics. Citing your sources is important and creative enough to catch the readers’ attention. Develop a writing style and voice that captivates attention, ensuring they read to completion.

#5 Decide on Your Niche

You have many potential categories available as a freelance writer. Get formal with business writing and speeches. Explore the film industry with video script writing and display journalism skills with news reporting or newsletters. You also have copywriting, technical writing, and more. The list is endless.

Topics like writing on animals are broad-based, giving you plenty of options. Discussions surrounding babies are always interesting; they’re complex, and there are plenty of topics to cover. Other niche examples include how to create comic books, or you could review health products and diets.

Cultural topics such as art, architecture, and science are always winners – the possibilities are infinite. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Limit it to one or two topics and focus on those to start.

After establishing yourself as a freelance writer, you’ll have more confidence. When your writing routine and time management are on point, you can increase the range of your subject matter to branch out to other avenues.

#6 Build Your Portfolio

A strong portfolio develops your freelance business and captures more clients. Create a professional website to upload and display your work to prospective clients. Create categories covering varied subjects.

If you have yet to publish any pieces, write content for your site that prospective clients will want to buy outright. Launch a blog to compose posts on subjects you find appealing.

#7 Tips for Finding Freelancing Work

The internet is your gateway to securing writing opportunities. Job portals update listings daily, and prospective clients regularly advertise on business networking sites and social media. Pitch articles to magazines and money sites or related blogs.

Take a chance and cold-call article pitches to companies you research that regularly employs freelance writers. Review their websites, assess, and determine their content strategy, to get an understanding of their writing requirements.

Examine their reviews and how other writers rated their work experience with the company. Every job application must be specific to the job with relevant samples.

How to Start Your Freelancing Career – FAQs

Q: Where do I start as a budding freelancer with no related work experience?

A: It’s a great idea to constantly improve and develop your writing skills. Perfect your grammar knowledge and multiply your vocabulary. Study the freelance industry and seek out projects available for ambitious writers.

Select the writing you want to venture into, and design a portfolio with impressive samples. Once your portfolio is ready, peruse writing job boards for opportunities. Pick out jobs that interest you, and start applying. Most employers require experienced writers, so bolster your writing samples with high-quality pieces.

Q: What are the key skills required to start my freelancing career?

A: To begin your career as a freelance writer, you need solid writing skills, good grammatical knowledge, and strong research skills.

Differentiate between common style guides to give you the ability to write confidently. Effective business, financial, and time management are critical to your success in becoming a freelance writer.

Q: What can I expect to earn as a freelance writer?

A: According to Indeed Salaries’ data, a freelance writer earns $23.19 per hour on average. The remuneration depends on the style of writing you specialize in and how effectively you manage the intricacies of the freelancing business model.

A whole cast of professionals — developmental editors, line and copyeditors, beta readers, and literary agents, to name just a few — comes together to breathe life into the best novels. Each cast member works hard, but the author remains the star of the show. 

Comic books and graphic novels are different. 

Comic book artists and graphic novel writers must collaborate seamlessly and understand each other’s visions. The visual nature of comic books means the art will always take the starring role. Graphic novels wouldn’t exist without the comic book artists who illustrate them. 

Hiring a comic book artist is daunting — the artist you choose can make or break your story. So how do you find the perfect comic book artist for your graphic novel?

Do You Need to Hire a Comic Book Artist to Get Your Graphic Novel Published?

So, you have a finished comic book script? Your script is polished and formatted correctly, and you are ready to move to the next step? You are the architect of your world and story, but you need a talented comic book artist to translate your ideas to the page. 

When should you hire a comic book artist? Keep in mind that:

• Some publishing houses accept excellent comic book manuscripts without any artwork. These publishing houses engage their own artists. Others accept manuscripts without artwork and recommend a range of comic book artists for your graphic novel.
• Some publishing houses accept comic book writer and comic book artist combos. These publishers don’t usually look for a finished graphic novel; they expect you to pitch a limited number of pages.
• Comic book writers planning to publish their graphic novels independently have to hire a comic book artist. 

Make sure you know what route you want to take before you look for skilled comic book artists to illustrate your graphic novel.

What Should You Consider When You Look for Comic Book Artists for Hire?

Choosing the right comic book artist to make your vision come to life is a massive undertaking. As you look for the best comic book artists, you will want to keep sight of the most important questions:

• Are you in love with the comic book artist’s work? Are you sure their art style is right for your graphic novel? As you immerse yourself in artists’ portfolios, don’t just evaluate the quality of the art. Ask yourself if the artist is right for your comic book’s characters and setting; can you see your characters living in a world the artist creates?
• Do you have a deadline in mind for the project? Is the artist you want available and able to devote all their time and energy to your comic book?
• Has the artist worked on similar graphic novels? Are they passionate about your world, characters, and story? Your story falls flat if the artist isn’t just as excited about the project as you are, so getting it right is crucial. 
• Do you like the comic book artist you are thinking of hiring? Comic book writers and artists inevitably form a close working relationship. You need to be able to work together as a team to create a successful graphic novel. 

Don’t choose the first comic book artist whose art you love and admire. Asking multiple artists to create a few pages of pencil work gives you a much better feel for each artist’s style. (No, comic book artists won’t give you free samples; you’ll have to pay for each page.)

Where Can You Find Talented Comic Book Artists for Hire?

The best place to look for skilled comic book artists depends on your budget. Your options include:

• Digital Webbing. This leading marketplace connects writers and comic book artists; you can use Digital Webbing to find comic book artists for hire and look for collaborations.
• Comic-book-artists.com. Another professional marketplace, comic-book-artists.com lets you find comic book artists for various projects.
• Reedsy. This literary marketplace lets you connect with the best comic book artists in your genre. 

Graphic novel writers can also use Reddit, Upwork, Fiverr, DeviantArt, and LinkedIn to find comic book artists who share their vision. Even Facebook can be incredibly helpful; try the Connecting Comic Writers and Artists Facebook Group to discover talented comic book artists who are available now.

The web is full of aspiring comic book artists. Many are incredibly talented, but you will also stumble on your fair share of disappointing work. Comic book writers should commit themselves to finding the best possible artist. Don’t settle. Only hire a comic book artist if you genuinely love their work and know it’s right for your graphic novel.

Hiring a Comic Book Artist: Final Tips

So you want to hire a comic book artist? Remember that you’re doing so much more than that. When you sign a contract with a comic book artist, you decide how your audience sees your world and characters.

If your graphic novel becomes successful, the artist’s work will embody who your characters are. 

Hiring a comic book artist is painfully expensive — you can expect to pay at least $180 for a page of pencil work and as much as $600 per page for penciling, colors, inks, and letters. That’s for a good reason. The comic book artist you work with spends countless hours illustrating your graphic novel and arguably works harder than you ever did writing the manuscript.

The comic book artist’s role in your manuscript is more “God” than “hired help.” Keep that in mind as you choose your artist, and always:

• Review samples of the comic book artist’s past work.
• Ask for references.
• Ask for paid samples. 
• Ensure you click with the comic book artist before you forge ahead in your collaboration.
• Agree on the fee in advance. Some comic book artists work for an advance and royalties. Others have upfront fees. 
• Honor the artist’s role in your graphic novel — without a comic book artist, your ideas will forever remain nothing more than a manuscript.

When it comes time to put the finishing touches on your book, the right art can be just what you need to bring your characters to life. For self-publishing authors that need an amazing book cover or illustrations for their manuscript, skilled book illustrations professional can make all of the difference.

Check Their Credibility

A lot of people can draw but not everyone can create professional illustrations that are worthy of being attached to a manuscript. If you are creating a book for children, it is even more important to hire an illustrator that has the skill to bring your story to life with their images. Always ask illustrators for examples of their past work. In addition to samples or a portfolio, check to see how well their past work was received in the market. Sometimes a story can amazing, but lackluster artwork can make the whole book fall flat. At the same time, great illustrations can take a simple story and transform it into a masterpiece.

Find A Illustration Style That Matches Your Genre

It is important to choose an illustrator whose art style not only matches your genre but also one that matches your style of writing. Your work targets a specific audience, so it is important your chosen illustrator also has the ability to capture the interest of the same target group. Good illustration styles will help to engage and encourage interest in your books and help to convince them to make additional purchases. You can get a good idea about an illustrator’s particular style by looking at their book cover design or illustration portfolio and past published work. With that in mind, many illustrators are more proficient at creating art for a specific niche. For example, realistic illustrators will not be able to create very good cartoon-style images, while those who excel in sketches may not be able to create highly stylized depictions.

Look for Illustrator Consistency

It is important to find an illustrator that is able to produce work at a specific level consistently. The more time a person spends in the field, the better their illustrations will be. Check to see that the level of their work either remains the same or has improved over the course of their careers. Everyone can have an off day, but overall an illustrator’s portfolio should be full of work that generally all display the same or better level of finished products.

Prepare A Budget

Your budget will play a big role in your hiring decision. Once you have finished writing your book, it is important to think about how many outside professionals you will need to hire in order to get it ready for publishing. This list should proofreaders, editors, beta readers, formatting specialists, and of course, illustrators. The more books you plan to publish and the higher number of people that will be helping along the way, the more you will need to expand your budget. You can save money in some areas, however, it is advisable not to skimp when it comes to hiring an illustrator.

Finalize A Contract

Creating a contract that clearly states the expected deliverables, estimated timeline, and a number of revisions are important. This will ensure that both you and the illustrator you hire have a clear idea of what is expected and when work should be turned in. Make sure to also clearly lay out remuneration expectations for the project including clauses for revisions, extra work, or bonuses. Make sure to also clearly lay out remuneration expectations for the project including clauses for revisions, extra work, or bonuses.

Being a freelancer is all about flexibility and working on your own schedule. Still, without proper budgeting, you may end up working and never seeing the fruits of your labor. Freelancing has so many benefits, but it can also overwhelm you. Since you are busy working and beating deadlines, whether you’re a book cover designer or book editor, you may not have the time to track your budget. Therefore, you need help budgeting your finances, which is where technology comes in. In addition, budgeting helps you prepare for the rainy season when little work will be done. 

Below are some of the best budgeting tools and apps that every freelancer should consider having. 

Simplify by Quicken

This is a fantastic budgeting tool that allows you to customize and keep track of your budget. It makes budgeting simple and allows you to set goals and walks you through ways of and achieving them. Your budget and spending habits are also tracked through this app, making it easier for you to know where you have gone astray in your budgeting. 

In addition, this app allows you to view all of your financial information, such as loans, credit cards, banking, and all your investments, in one place. You can also see your upcoming bills and income transfers and how all these are affecting your balance. All you have to do is download this app from Google Play Store or Apple Store, and you are good to go. 

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB is another great budgeting app for freelancers. It allows you to sync all your bank accounts, import your financial data from a file, and manually enter your transactions. With this app, you are guaranteed to get at least one month ahead of your expenses so that you have something to fall back on in case things go as unplanned. 

The app’s feature includes simple ways to keep track of your goals, bank syncing, real-time access to all your budget data across different devices, transaction matching, and customer support.

Mint

If you are looking for a free budgeting app, then Mint is your best option. This app offers personalized insights, tracks your spending, customs your budget, and monitors your subscriptions. You can see all your monthly bills, grow your savings, set your goals, and manage your debts all underdone in this app. 

Personal Capital

Personal Capital is much more than a budgeting app. It is also an investment tool that helps track your wealth and how you spend your money. With this app, you also get access to and personal attention from registered financial advisors. This is everything that you need to start working on your finances. 

Pocket Guard

If you are looking for an app that will keep you from overspending, this is it. This budgeting app not only links all your financial accounts but also enables you to track your spending and curb your tendency to overspend your money. In addition, it is easy to set up and connect to all your bank accounts. 

Wally

This budgeting app has unique budgeting features and is supported in different countries. This is an easy-to-use budgeting app that helps you keep track of your income and expenses in one place. It also gives you a rough idea of your remaining budget so that you do not end up overspending. One of the significant advantages of this app is that it has in-built support for virtually all foreign currencies. This makes it easier for other users to access it even if they do not reside in the United States. 

Mvelopes

This is a digital version of the cash envelope system. With envelope type of budgeting, you put cash in envelopes for different spending. This allows you to spend within your original budget. When each envelope is empty, you just know that your spending for that month is finished. This app makes it easier to follow cash-style budgets in a digital budgeting world. 

Quickbooks Self-Employed

Quickbooks allows you to make a separation between your personal expenses and business expenses. It has impressive features that make tracking your business expenses very easy and manageable, including ways to incorporate them into quarterly taxes of the year. This lifts the hassle of manually filing for taxes off your shoulders. 

Trim

This budgeting app automatically helps you keep it once you have connected it to your different financial accounts. It also monitors your spending habits and gives you saving suggestions that you can choose to accept or ignore. This works best for freelancers, especially since they do not have the extra time to budget manually. 

Rose Rosie is a writer for the personal finance website, Joy Wallet, which provides readers with useful information, resources, and tools to help maximize their financial fitness. 

These days, a whole niche industry is dedicated to telling you that absolutely anyone can write, format, and publish a book — the self-publishing industry, of course. It doesn’t take more than a few hours of (often excruciatingly painful) reading to discover that many “authors” take this endless optimism a little too seriously. 

Whether you have already decided to self-publish your manuscript, or you are hoping to be traditionally published after partnering with a literary agent, it’s essential to embrace one undeniable truth. The book may be yours, but writing an excellent book isn’t a solitary endeavor. No matter how good you are, you can’t go solo all the way and still produce a quality end result. Your book will need to be professionally edited, and perhaps by more than one person. 

How do you find a book editor to work with? 

Your first step lies in determining what kind of editing your manuscript needs at the moment. 

Developmental editors examine the broad strokes. They spot plot holes and weaknesses in fiction, criticize the way in which you decide to start your first chapter, and spot logical errors in chapter progression in the case of non-fiction works. If your manuscript isn’t quite there yet, you may instead benefit from an editorial assessment, in which authors received detailed reports on the work that still needs doing before they move to the next step. 

Copy editing scrutinizes your individual paragraphs, sentences, and word choices more closely. Your structure or plot are already in place, and now it’s time to tighten and beautify your book. At this level, a book editor examines your use of tenses, your grammar, any inconsistencies, and your flow. Fact-checking may also be part of this stage of editing. 

Finally, you may want a proofreader to put the very smallest details under the microscope, ensuring that no typos, grammatical errors, and outright mistakes remain. A proofreader can also make sure that the style of your manuscript is consistent throughout. 

Now that you know what kind of book editor you need, it’s time to look around for one. Unless you already have relevant industry connections, that process is, in today’s world, going to involve the internet. Dedicated marketplaces for editors, editors’ own websites, and social media are all good ways to begin exploring your options. 

Once you have a few potential editors in mind, you will want to follow up by combing through reviews from past clients. Especially if you have a long manuscript, it is perfectly normal and acceptable to ask prospective book editors to put you in touch with some previous clients. That way, you can gain a better idea of what it would be like to work with the editor, and what level of quality you can expect from them. 

The type of scrutiny you apply will depend on your manuscript — if you have a short ebook, which may be no longer than 10,000 words, you may not vet your book editor as well as you may in the case of a full-length manuscript. If you do have one of those, and you are hoping to be traditionally published, look for book editors with a proven track record in the publishing industry. They’ll have edited at least 10 books, and they’ll have worked as a book editor for at least a few years.

Your initial communication with potential book editors is going to tell you more about what working with them will be like — and at this stage, you can typically immediately tell if you simply dislike the editor or their approach. Once you hit it off with a book editor with proven experience, and you have confidence in their work and abilities, you can go ahead and sign a contract. 

Proofreading is the final stage once you’re done with writing. It’s the process of checking the whole body of work to find any error or mistake. It’s not just about finding spelling or grammar errors. It is also about finding:

1. Smaller errors that can avoid notice unless you’re careful, such as punctuation errors or misrepresented facts.
2. Stylization and coherence or consistency issues in the copy.
3. Finding gaps, plot holes, missed opportunities, or skipped details, especially in fiction writing and novels.

In general, the entire point of proofreading is to make the work better. You should never greenlight your work to be sent to publishers or editors before you have done due diligence on your end and proofread the entire body end-to-end first. It can help you avoid certain awkward mistakes.

What are proofreading services and how can you hire a proofreader?

Proofreading services or freelance proofreaders both work pretty much the same way. They read your manuscript, not as a fellow writer or a reader. They go through the body of work with a critical eye.

With their experience comes their ability to make out even the subtlest of mistakes. They can be a great help in improving your text.

Going for a proofreader is highly recommended before you prepare the first draft. Often, it’s the proofreader who prepares the first draft of your manuscript that’s ready to be shared.

There are plenty of services that allow you to hire proofreaders or editors for your stories, poems, novels, or other types of texts.

A fresh pair of eyes and a different perspective allows a proofreader to go through the body of text critically and not skip over any mistakes. It’s very efficient in terms of the time consumed to get proofreading done by a professional.

Don’t hurry. Finding the right proofreader is bound to take time. The more seasoned proofreaders also have availability issues and they are pretty expensive. If you manage to find a proofreader ideal for your work then give them some time with your manuscript. Proofreading isn’t a perfect science with hard and fast rules. If you put pressure on the proofreader to finish their job fast or if you’re unreceptive to critical feedback then the whole process can break down.

Be patient and give the proofreader the time they need. They need to be in a relaxed state of mind to make the best decisions for your text.

Often proofreaders also have actionable advice and meaningful insights that can improve the text. Working closely with the proofreader and keeping a communication channel open will ensure the best results.

Being the reader of your own work

Self-proofreading is still an option. Larger texts should also be proofread by you first before being sent to a professional proofreader or editor. 

Writing in a flow often makes us take turns we wouldn’t find rational or suitable when reading. The proofreading process can iron out the details and enable you to smooth out some rough edges in the written word.

Overall, it can vastly improve the consistency to proofread the work once.

Remember, you’re the writer. The writer doesn’t necessarily know what’s best for the reader. Perhaps you’ve dragged a little something way too long for the reader’s comfort. Or maybe it’s something entirely different.

Seeing the manuscript from the reader’s point of view can help greatly.

First – completely forget that you’re the one writing. Be the reader. Read your manuscript as if you are reading the work of someone else.

Nearly all traditionally-published authors put out electronic copies of their work these days, and the market for ebook-only indie novelists has also skyrocketed in recent years. Ebooks offer an ultra-convenient way to get excellent modern fiction into many more hands, but writing an ebook and giving it away for free can be a brilliant marketing strategy for almost any business, too. 

Regardless of your business’ core mission, its field, and its size, a free ebook can build your profile, your credibility, and your customer base. 

How can businesses make money from free ebooks?

Your brand may be a solo endeavor — perhaps you are a blogger, a freelance editor, a life coach, or a plumber — or you may own a small to mid-sized online or brick-and-mortar business. As long as you learn how to market your ebook, you are tapping into a whole new way to bring in customers. Someone who is genuinely interested what you have to say will happily download your free ebook and walk away from the experience feeling like they’ve learned something useful. As they remember your ebook, they’ll also engrave the name of your brand into their minds. 

Not only can a well-written free ebook build your credibility as a business, giving away a free ebook is an awesome marketing tool. As you connect with people you already know are interested in your business — because they were willing to share their email address to gain access to your valuable guide — you will easily be able to inform them about future offers and promotions. In addition, don’t forget that you’ll actually be able to embed links to specific pages on your website throughout the ebook, sending customers straight where you want them!

Although writing an ebook and polishing it to perfection should be somewhat of an investment (you’re going for quality, after all!), businesses can realistically expect to cash in on a free ebook giveaway down the line.

What should your free ebook be about?

The most memorable free ebooks meet a genuine need or solve a real problem — for your particular customer base. When you start brainstorming how to write an ebook, you’ll want to be familiar with your target audience. If in doubt, you can even simply ask your existing customers or followers for ideas and feedback. 

These tried-and-tested formats will help you get off to a good start:

• How-to guides will never get old, as long as they teach something valuable. The possibilities are almost endless, from “how to repair your own sink” to “how to get started as a freelance writer” or “how to sew your own baby carrier”. 
• Must-know ebooks tackle topics like “10 things you should before you go camping”, “essential ingredients for a close mother-son relationship”, or “25 things every man needs to know to grow an epic mustache”. They promise a solid grasp on the basics, allowing readers to dive in. 
• Best-of ebooks are list-based guides that teach your audience how to make the most of something they really want or need. Think “the best tools for beginning DIY enthusiasts”, “the best ways to build a professional website”, or “the best exercises to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome”.
• If you want to entice your readers with a little mystery, you might choose an ebook that promises “the truth about” something or shares “little-known trade secrets”. “The truth about caring for a relative with dementia”, or “an insider’s guide to the insurance industry” would be two examples. 

Almost everything else out there boils down to some variation of these formats. These ebook recipes work because they truly help your audience — but only, and here’s the caveat, if you understand their needs intimately. 

What boxes should your free ebook tick?

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the basics of ebooks, and you’ve cooked up a riveting topic that’s sure to be a winner with your current and future base, you’ll need to make sure that the text itself isn’t just neatly organized into sections that make sense, but it’s also been edited professionally. Some very short ebooks, especially those high in visual content, are as short as 2,500 words. Many text-based ebooks, while still succinct, will at least reach the 10,000 word mark. 

Your ebook should have a gripping, well-thought out title and a professionally-designed cover that looks great in full size as well as in the thumbnail. 

As a business, you probably already know more about how to market an ebook than most aspiring fiction authors do, but the importance of this step can’t be underestimated. Get your ebook everywhere, with the help of email promotions, social media, and other marketing campaigns, and prepare your strategy to make that happen well before you publish. 

One of the things that you might be looking for if you are thinking about entering some writing contests and 2019 is contest that have actual cash prizes attached to them. There are a lot of writing contests out there that offer prizes that are not cash. Some of them include being published in a publication that is sponsoring the contest and others might include gift cards or discounts. But if you want cold hard cash as a prize, fire up some nice book writing software like Squibler or Scrivener and check out these writing contests.

The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

This contest is sponsored by the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. This contest is been going on for more than 35 years and it offers three eight $1500 cash prizes for first place and then $50 for second place in third place winners. To be eligible, you have to write an original and unpublished work of fiction that is no more than 3500 words long (no fanfiction!). There is a five dollars admission fee and you can submit for the next year’s contest at any time.

Colorado State University’s Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction

This one is organized by the Colorado State University Center for literary publishing. You do not have to be in the US to be eligible for this contest. The winner of the contest gets $2000 as well as publication in the Colorado review. In order to be eligible, your story must be at least 2500 words and be no more than 12,500 words. It also must be fiction. The contest opens sometime in the late fall or winter of the year.

The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

Each year, this contest happens again disliking it has been doing for more than 85 years. Writers digest is one of the most well-known and well-respected magazines for writers out there. This is a contest that has a ton of entrants, but also has a lot of winners. There will be 500 total winners chosen with the top prize of the contest at $5000 plus a paid trip to the writers digest annual conference. First place in a category will be $1000, second place will be $500, their place will be for $250, $100 will be for fourth place and $50 will be awarded to fifth-place. Sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10^th will also get $25 each. The word counts vary depending on which category you intercede want to go check their website for details.

The Roswell Award

The Roswell Award is a contest for science-fiction stories with the top prize of $500. Stories have to be 1500 words or less. You also get $250 for second place showing and $100 for third place.

Nelson Algren Short Story Award

Another great contest that you may want to consider is this one that is presented by the Chicago Tribune. The grand prize winner for this contest gets $3500 and the remaining four finalists get $1000 each. Runners-up get $500. Stories must be fiction, unpublished and no more than 8000 words.