The boom in independent book publishing shows no sign of letting up, and it's already brought some book industry terminology into broader use. For example, content preparations services are now hot topics among authors who publish independently. They include book cover design, editing services, formatting, illustration (if needed), and many others. Even if some self-publishing platforms promote the idea of handling some content prep DIY, most indie authors are wise enough to work with experts. Readers today discriminate less against self-published books but do expect them to be high quality.
Book editing is one of the most vital content prep services, and no book should be published without it. Authors are excellent writers, but no one does well editing their work. A fresh set of eyes from a trained editor will pick up many things ranging from spelling and grammar errors all the way up to making suggestions for improving the content. You can find high-quality book editors online who work for rates geared to independent authors. Don't feel intimidated about reaching out to editors to discuss your book project, and look for ones with experience in your genre. They can help you the most.
If your manuscript is already well developed and only in need of smoothing out and lightly improved, line editing might be the ideal service level for you. It can cover the proofreading function for typos, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors and enhance the text overall. Successful books are easy to read, and line editing brings a well-developed manuscript to that point. You'll likely do some light rewriting in spots after a line edit to improve your text, but it won't be overwhelming. As your book becomes finalized and ready to print, you'll be able to focus on other priorities.
For authors who don't want to go as far as a line edit, proofreading service is the best choice. It's the most well-known form of editing outside the book industry and is easily understood. It catches typos, spelling errors, and minor punctuation mistakes. Readers spot small mistakes and lose interest and respect for a book that has them. It's why final proofreading by a skilled editor is so important. Every author publishing independently should hire an expert proofreader at a minimum. Imagine submitting your book for a review and later reading criticism about minor errors proofreading could have corrected.