The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI just printed the first copy of the manuscript of my first book.
Now comes the hard part: editing.
I went through all of the stories and fixed the grammar to the best of my ability and corrected some other flaws. But I am not trained as a writer and I have a feeling there will be a lot more work to come.
My plan now is to hire a graduate student from a local college to proofread the manuscript and give me ideas about editing the stories. I also have a cousin who writes and I'd like to have him look it over, too. The book is a work of short, short stories so I'll also need ideas about how to order them in the book.
But, yeah, it's out of my head and off of my computer. A hard copy exists. I'm feeling really good about that. My wife says she's proud of me.
Vanje
(9,766 posts)I bet you can find willing helpful proofreaders in DU's Writer's group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1202
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)I post over there occasionally, but hadn't thought of asking anyone there to look over my manuscript.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,181 posts)Isn't it amazing to see your work existing as a hard copy?
I know I always am, when I print a poem out...
I think: my god, I did that!
You have created something that nobody else could, ever.
I hope you won't find the editing too hard. Having someone else help will be good. Your cousin is a good resource.
I'm proud of you, too!
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)Yeah, as the pages piled up when I was printing it struck me about what an accomplishment this is. It took a long time to write, about 7 years in the making, but I had a lot of other stuff going on during that time. It's nothing I could afford to work on full time.
auntAgonist
(17,252 posts)I wish you all the best with the editing and the eventual publishing. Jen has every right to be proud of you.
aA
kesha
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)I have confidence that I'll be able to edit the work with some help. I'm not so sure about the getting published part. But I'll never know if I don't try.
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)My brother published his first book last year, is almost done with the second one.
He said his worry, pain and struggle with the first one was what giving birth must be like.
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)Thanks for the vote of confidence.
nolabear
(41,902 posts)And there are still a couple of typos and one absolute doozy of a mistake in the final, published version. But except for that last, and I'm thinking of using it as a promotional--find the doozy and win a prize--it's as well done as any I've seen.
Ebooks are a whole different matter, though. I still read trad pubbed ebooks from major houses with big formatting fails. So be extra vigilant when yours is out.
But again, congratulations! It's a good feeling, isn't it? You have now crossed out of the "I have a great idea for a book" realm and into "I have written a book" land!
Tobin S.
(10,418 posts)It is a very good feeling. It's this good---->
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)I was a copy editor for 30 outdoors magazines until 2010. I could use a challenge.
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)PM me if you want.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)ThomThom
(1,486 posts)it could help
Phentex
(16,329 posts)Looks like you have some good offers from people here. Take them up on it!
Good luck!
I have taken advantage of those offers. Thanks.
pacalo
(24,721 posts)I'm sending good vibes to you in getting it fine-tuned & then published.
You've got the gift of gab so it should be full of interesting stories.
jmowreader
(50,419 posts)If there are any problems in it, I'll find 'em.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Callalily
(14,879 posts)wrote this book. I (and the rest of DU) have always enjoyed reading your stories.
Please keep us up-t0-date on the progress of your book.
This is indeed exciting new!
And congrats! A lot of work is already behind you, but a lot of work is ahead of you too!
av8rdave
(10,569 posts)You already have one guaranteed purchase.