This image has nothing to do with the post. I just like it because it’s awesome.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s official. I have finalized the manuscript for Imminent Danger and How to Fly Straight into It. It is written, edited, revised, and submitted to iUniverse via their incredibly complex submission form.
So what does this mean?
Step One: Editorial Evaluation
To quote Rebekka, my iUniverse “Check-In Coordinator”:
Your project is now ready for its Editorial Evaluation. Your project will be assigned an Editorial Consultant and you should hear from them within 2 – 3 weeks (once your Editorial Evaluation is finished). It’s helpful for you to understand that the Editorial Evaluation is a general overview of your manuscript, which focuses on key industry-standard areas, based on your genre of book. Some of these might include: point of view, grammar, plot points, etc. At the end of the Editorial Evaluation, you will receive a 10-15 page form, which highlights areas of possible improvement in your manuscript and gives you pointers regarding how to make your manuscript more marketable.
Now, my hope *fingers crossed* is that there won’t be many suggested changes. I hope this because I have had approximately 15 people read the manuscript and made a zillion revisions based on their suggestions, so there really shouldn’t be all that much left in the book needing fixing.
Of course, these are professional editors reading the manuscript, so they’ll probably catch something or suggest something that my myriad proof readers missed. I’m cool with that. As long as they don’t tell me to “re-write the entire book” like one super-helpful reader did (*sarcasm*), I’m good.
While I wait for the Editorial Evaluation …
I bite my nails and hope it turns out well! No, seriously, I will probably get back to editing the sequel to Imminent Danger. When last I checked in on it, it was titled Interspecies Relationships and How to Make an Already Complicated Situation Worse. As that is somewhat of a mouthful, the title will be one of the first things I change.
My big thing with a sequel is making sure it’s as good (or nearly as good) as the first book. Because is there anything worse than reading a sub-par sequel to a book you love? Famine is worse, probably. Poverty. Child soldiers. Slavery. But you get my point!
And what is there in store for us, your loyal blog followers?
I just switched to “FAQ” mode. Whoops. Anyway, I really want to start posting excerpts from the book, which y’all may or may not read at your leisure. That won’t happen until the Editorial Evaluation gets back, however, so until then … expect pretty much the same. Random thoughts on writing, links to various photos/videos that probably no one but me enjoys, etc.
Woo!
Thanks, as always, for letting me ramble on. Speaking of Ramble On, that song has an entire verse about Lord of the Rings. Talk about awesome.
Right. So that’s my news, as well as my random link of the day. Happy Thursday!
PS: Can I even say PS in a blog? Right. Moving on. Does anyone have an opinion on vlogs? Good? Bad? Annoying? Would anyone watch an unknown author ramble about her publishing experience for 3-4 minutes? I won’t force you to watch any vlogs if you say yes.
Michelle Proulx - Author 
That’s very exciting! I’m hoping to find myself in a similar position once I complete the short story I’m currently working on. In addition to the amateur critics (read: my family) I’m also having it reviewed by a friend and her husband who are both published authors. Maybe that’ll spare me a mountain of rejection letters when I start looking for an agent. Ha! Anyway, good luck with your Edit Eval. 🙂
Thanks! And having someone who’s actually in the business look over your work will definitely help. For a while my aunt was going to hook me up with her sister in law, who is a retired book editor, but then a variety of complications arose and it fell through. Alas!
Ah, bummer! Hmm… since you’re already far along in the process with your current book, this might not be as useful to you. But have you heard of a website called Book Country (www.bookcountry.com)? One of the main benefits is having authors come together to offer constructive criticism. I just though perhaps you might find it useful for some of your other works in progress.
I’ve never heard of it, but I’ll definitely check it out! I have a whole list of websites that I’m supposed to look at — now it’s a matter of actually looking at them, lol.
Writers are always able to make our pieces better. No matter the genre, the topic, discussions, the length, or style chosen; it can always be better than what we have settled for. (Hence: Editing.)
Professional proofreaders, along with professional editors, who’ve been in the business for years, know exactly what they’re looking for, and expect to find it how it should be, based on the publishing house guidelines. — Everyone worries about the criticism that their piece will be subject to; not just writers, but remember that which each critic who views the piece, no matter how many edits you’ve already performed: There will be something wrong with it, because writing is one profession that the work can always be better.
Just take it one day at a time and give your nails a break. Sit back and relax knowing that you’ve come this far. There’s just a bit more to go.
I’m certainly more relaxed now that I’ve finally submitted the manuscript! I have to admit, I’m kind of excited to see what a professional editor has to say about my book — like you said, this is their job, they know what they’re looking for, and I want to know what they think, if only to know what I’m doing wrong so I can fix it for the next piece I write. Although I still can’t help but be nervous, even though I know I should relax. Luckily I only get nervous when I think about it, so I’ll just have to put it out of my mind and concentrate on something else for the next few weeks 🙂
That’s awesome! Only up from here!
That’s great! Really happy for you! I can’t imagine what it’s like to know that you are a few steps away from a published book! I hope to publish a book myself, someday …
Do it! I’d buy it 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
First, congrats and good luck! For your vlog question, I would definitely watch it! Finally, I love the Ninja pic! 🙂
Sweet! So I officially have one confirmed vlog watcher. And re: the ninja pic — the internet is a treasure trove of comedic gold. I don’t know how humanity survived without it. Or at least, survived happily without it.
Agreed!
So I was wondering how the edit went and what you received. Was it helpful and things you could implement?
Well, the Editorial Evaluation basically said to cut down the length of the manuscript and get a copy edit. I’m working on the cutting down part right now, and I’ll post more about the copy edit once I get that back 🙂
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