I just printed the first copy of the manuscript of my first book.

[Tobin S.]

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]

1. Exciting! Congratulations

I bet you can find willing helpful proofreaders in DU's Writer's group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1202

[Tobin S.]

2. 10-4 on that

I post over there occasionally, but hadn't thought of asking anyone there to look over my manuscript.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Congrats, my dear Tobin!

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.]

5. Thanks Peggy

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]

4. That is so great Tobin!!

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.]

6. Thanks Kesha

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]

7. Fine tuning is all you'll need, Tobin.

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.]

8. I hope so!

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[nolabear]

9. Good for you! My book went through many rounds of editing.

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. Thank you, nolabear

It is a very good feeling. It's this good---->

[RebelOne]

11. If you need help, let me know.

I was a copy editor for 30 outdoors magazines until 2010. I could use a challenge.

[Brickbat]

12. I'm a professional editor and I'd be happy to give it a look for free.

PM me if you want.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. excellent news, Tobin

[ThomThom]

14. get a copy editor

it could help

[Phentex]

15. That's exciting!...

Looks like you have some good offers from people here. Take them up on it!

Good luck!

[Tobin S.]

16. Yep

I have taken advantage of those offers. Thanks.

[pacalo]

17. Tobin, that's impressive!

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]

18. PDF it and send it to me

If there are any problems in it, I'll find 'em.

[RainDog]

19. congrats to you! n/t

[Callalily]

20. I am so glad that you

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]

21. I hope you get it published!

You already have one guaranteed purchase.