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Confessions of an Ebook Convert

This originally appeared as a guest blog in author/publisher Zetta Brown’s highly informative column appearing regularly at the She Writes site for women writers.

On David, Goliath, Politics and the Environment

I love books. For decades I have read an average of three to five books a week and my walls are lined with bookcases. But, while I will always treasure every pristine or tattered member of my vast and precious book collection, I have happily joined the growing legions of ebook buyers for almost all my reading.

Why? To start with, I was born without a patience gene, and ebooks provide instant gratification. I don’t have to leave the house, rummage through a bookstore (used or new) or the library, wait for delivery, or get on a waiting list to borrow a solitary copy. When I’m lusting after a new book, why, zip, zap, zop and I can start reading. What’s not to love?

Another important reason is environmental. I’m a lifelong tree hugger, and after decades of worrying about my part in creating worldwide deforestation, I can assure myself that my ebook purchases are saving trees. And many agree that if you read more than four or five books a year, it is greener to use ebooks.

But to me the very best reason to buy ebooks is political.

I am convinced that the world has embarked on a cycle of change which could well shift the balance of power from large multinational corporations to the little guy. And ebooks, and the indie/self-publishing movement that ebooks have made possible, are right out there on the leading edge, just ahead of Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement.

No matter how our work gets published, though, in order to compete successfully, our books need to be as professional, literate, compelling and error-free as anything put out by the Big 6 publishing giants. And, to put it bluntly, right now a painfully large number of self-published books simply don’t make the grade. The other painful fact is that these days the Big 6’s books often aren’t looking as polished and professional we we’ve come to expect.

Nevertheless, the Big 6 publishers, via several of their authors, are capitalizing on the fact that a lot of indie books are published carelessly and too soon by making a lot of interview and blog noise about poor ebook quality. So far there’s enough truth in what they’re saying to potentially affect your ebook sales.

Until recently, readers seemed willing to tolerate sloppy editing or poor character and plot development when a book cost $0.99 to $3.99, but I’ve been noticing more and more online reader reviews complaining about these things. They’re also much more likely to simply quit reading and delete a $0.99 or $3.99 book when grammatical errors and poor story development get too annoying. And there go your repeat sales.

The ebook transformation of the publishing industry is shaping up to be a David and Goliath confrontation, and self-publishing authors need to follow the example of book-loving indie publishers and keep the following thought in mind:

If you don’t have size and advanced weaponry in your favor, be sure you are really, really good at using a slingshot.

This means, among other things, that you need to get your criticism before you publish, not after.

Even if you’re really good at catching problems when you read books or critique fellow authors’ work, being your own (and only) editor is like being your own lawyer. Don’t!

If you can find a way to budget for it, it’s not hard to find good professional editors–either developmental editors who work with you on character and plot development while checking for technical problems, or copy/line editors, usually less expensive, who will make sure your book is free of errors.

A lot of editors of both kinds are fellow authors who are excited about the changing face of publishing and have a sense of mission, as I do, about supporting self-publishers.

If you’re working on a severely limited budget, though, you have alternatives.

There are very helpful self-editing classes , workshops and books out there. Romantic Times and Romance Writers of America offer good classes, to name just two.

If you go that route, then you’ll also want–and need–a respected literary editing reference book, like the Chicago Manual of Style or the Gregg Reference Manual. Preferably both. And you’ll need to stay current with the ever-evolving trends and tropes of your genre or niche.

And while friends and family, and even local English majors, could be an important part of your book’s growth, never, ever leave the your published work’s professional success solely in their hands.

Critique groups of writers, and fellow authors who are willing to be beta readers, are usually very important to a book’s development, whether you’re struggling with your first book or published many times over. And if you’re depending on your beta readers to make that all-important final read-through for accuracy and overall excellence, be sure they know it.

Conventional wisdom says that agents and editors will stop reading submitted manuscripts when they’ve discovered only three errors.

Readers might be a bit more tolerant, but if you’re building a career as an author, why take the chance? Show those precious people who pay for your book just how much you respect and appreciate them! Invest as much in correct use of the language, and in cleaning up other errors, as you do in developing your plot, characters and author voice.

This reader, to name just one, will be very grateful!

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Covers of books I’ve edited, in no particular order…

For Witch or for Poorer, Fantasy romance, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Topaz Brooch, Time travel romance, manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Silver Dollar, Women’s fiction romance, manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
The Shadows, Young adult fantasy edited by Faith Freewoman
Shackled to the World, Reverse harem romance manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Sentinel Lost, Urban fantasy romance manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Mixed Match, Multicultural romance manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Silver Stud, Over-40s romance manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Five Minute Book Editing for Authors, Sales & selling techniques nonfiction edited by Faith Freewoman
Doctor's Secret', Women’s fiction edited by Faith Freewoman
Building Strength, Military romantic suspense, manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Devastated, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Like No Other Boy, family life fiction manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Building Family, military romantic suspense, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Breaking Free, military romantic suspense fiction manuscript editing by Faith Freewoman
Deception, Women’s action and adventure fiction, manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Allied Operations, military romantic suspense fiction, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Code Pink, Police procedural thriller manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Fang Vacation, Teen & young adult vampire fiction manuscript manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Billionaire's Secret', billionaire romance fiction edited by Faith Freewoman
LoveMaker, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Queen of the Assassins, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Roman Nights, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
For Better or for Wolf, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Breaking Chains, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Heartbreaker, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Lacewood, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
New Beginnings in Eden, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Stars Over Eden, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Mind Sweeper, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Tethered, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Easier Said than Done, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Beyond the Call of Duty, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Cats, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Pearl Brooch, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
What a Wolf Desires, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Electric Curse, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Callista Goes Country, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Man Down, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
One Wish, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Love Is a Wildfire, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Sell a Sleigh-Load of Books, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
A Nanny for Christmas, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Demons Will Be Demons, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Death by Drama, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Demons Are a Girls Best Friend, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Teacher Growth Trajectory, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Missing, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Demons Are Forever, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The New Business Card, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Mercy, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Once Upon a Christmas, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Touches of Eden, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Have Wand, Will Travel, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Adventures of a Witchy Wallflower, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Once Bitten, Twice Shy, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Heart of the Assassins, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Rusty Nail, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Breaking Hearts, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
And I Love You, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Leashed, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Gone to Hell, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Prey, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Confessions of a Witchy Wallflower, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Revise and Re-Release Your Book, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
What Matters Most, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Kissing Luca, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Moon Riders, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Louder than Words, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Collisions of Time, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Wall of Victory, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Diamonds to Die For, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
St. Helena Santa, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Unmistaken, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Christmas Angel, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
A Pinot for Your Thoughts, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Academy of Assassins, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Angel of Eden Falls, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Ruins of Destiny, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
My One and Only, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Bittersweet, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
To Love an Earl Twice, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Bare Deception, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Flames of Hope, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
From this Fae Forward, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Gone to Hell, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Chasing Hindy, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
To Have and to Howl, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Unmistaken, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
In Sickness and in Elf, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
How to Sell Books by the Truckload at Amazon, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Atonement, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
From this Fae Forward, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Kissing Luca, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
To Enthrall the Demon Lord, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Into the Sunrise, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Scandal's Child, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Silver Ops, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
A Taste of Eden, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Napa Crush, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
To Stir a Fae's Passion, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Complicity, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Unforgettable, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
To Win a Demon's Love, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Breaking Point, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Once Bitten, Twice Shy, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Two to Tango, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Rehumanized Drew, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Forget Me, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Tri, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Lyz Exposed, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Lyz Orphaned, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Death by Malice, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Protect Me, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Royal Scandal, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Trust Me, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Mine at Merlot, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Abandoned, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Educating Anthony, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Loving Vivienne, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Cats, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Druid Temptation, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Blinded, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Royal Affair, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Man Down, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Spurned, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Royal Scandal, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Ruins of Destiny, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Three Brooches, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Timeless, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Two Much, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Whisper, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Breaking Out, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Dance with Me, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Holding Still, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Chaos Tamed, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
A Touch of TNT, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Resisting Samantha, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
You Were Mine at Merlot, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
To Love an Earl Twice, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Petit Madeleine, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Romancing Las Vegas, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Element 63, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Siren's Call, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Burned, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
My Sweetest Sasha, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Family Love, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
All She Wanted, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Druid Surrender, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Everly Gray boxed set, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Hidden Obsession, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Backtrack, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Dha, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Death by Design, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Ceann, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Brush with Death, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Breach, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Blood, Breath and Desire, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
In Sickness and in Elf, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Allied Operations, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
To Capture a Highlander's Heart, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
A Wedding at Meadows Shore, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Beyond the Call of Duty, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
The Broken Brooch, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Eightball Two Three, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Gotcha, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Emerald Brooch, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
The Pursuit, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Beyond the Call of Duty, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Sentinel Lost, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Brightness Calling, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
From the Ashes, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Ladies of Lortons Landing, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Stonecutter, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Behold the Man, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Breaking Boundaries, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Champion of Entean, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Warrior, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Deep within the Shadows, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Marriage Under Fire, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Mark Me, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Piggy Bank Blues, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
A Perfect Wedding, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Captain's Orders, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
A Perfect Dilemma, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Captured, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Chariot, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Electric Heat, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Finally Again, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Fool, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Illegal Motions, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Fledgling, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
A Touch of Intrigue, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Sapphire Brooch, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Shifter Wars, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Whisper in My Ear, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
The Barbarian, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Mind Sweeper, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Seal's Goal, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Coveted, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Sky Dancers, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Afterlife, manuscript editor Faith Freewoman
Building Ties, manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Purest of the Breed
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Wolf at the Door
manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman, Breaking Ties
Edited by Faith Freewoman
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Apotheosis
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Seal the Deal
Edited by Faith Freewoman, A Touch of Revenge
Faith Freewoman Editor, Bloodline War
Faith Freewoman, Editor, A Perfect Mistake
Faith Freewoman, Editor, Seal My Destiny
Faith Freewoman, Editor, To Touch Poison
Faith Freewoman, Editor, Collared
Edited by Faith Freewoman, In His Eyes
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, Seal My Heart
Faith Freewoman, editor, The Warrior
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Breaking Away
Faith Freewoman, Editor, A Touch of Ice
Faith Freewoman, Editor, A Perfect Mess
Faith Freewoman, Fetched, Editor
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, Big Cats Don't Purr
Faith Freewoman, Editor, A Touch of Betrayal
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, The Shield
Faith Freewoman Editor, A Touch of Ice
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, Hounded
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, Caught in the Act
Faith Freewoman, Editor, Breaking Through
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, An Automated Death
manuscript editor Faith Freewoman, The Calling
manuscript edited by Faith Freeewoman, Brave
Faith Freewoman, Editor, Seal Under Cover
Faith Freewoman Editor A Matter of the Heart
Faith Freewoman Editor, Mortal Bite
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Captive Hear
Faith Freewoman Editor, Groomed for Murder
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Place Between Worlds
manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman, Leashed
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Highlander's Heart
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Cry Sanctuary
Faith Freewoman Editor, Taming Raven
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Walkers
Faith Freewoman Editor, Hounded
Edited by Faith Freewoman, Highland Moonlignt
Faith Freewoman Editor, Fallen Seal Legacy
manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman, The Hierophant
manuscript edited by Faith Freewoman, This Fool's Journey