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Self-editing for Self-publishers: Incorporating—A Style Guide for Fiction Paperback – April 14, 2020

by Richard Bradburn (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 87 ratings
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A comprehensive modern manual on how to self-edit your book.

Written by a professional editor, this book gives you a clear and easy-to-follow process that mirrors the editing that a traditionally published book undergoes.
Broken down into structural, sentence-level and proofreading stages, each section is copiously illustrated with before-and-after edited examples.
In it, you will find answers to all the commonly asked questions, like:
  • "Should I have a prologue?"
  • "How do I punctuate dialogue properly?"
  • "How many characters are too many characters?"
  • "How do I write thoughts?"
  • "Is passive voice always wrong?"
Included in the appendices are useful guides to other problematic issues:
  • How to use beta readers
  • How to write a synopsis
  • What to look for when hiring an editor
  • Pros and cons of editing software
This book will make you a better writer, and save you money on professional editing fees. It is your complete, easy-to-read, bang-up-to-date self-editing solution!

Read what other authors and editors have said about it:

"I have read articles, watched videos etc about writing, but I have learned more from your book than from all of those other sources together. It is also very well-written, precise and with specific examples and makes an enjoyable as well as educational read."

"This is an invaluable resource for a growing subset of writers ... everything I’ve ever wanted to say to self-publishing authors, presented clearly and respectfully."

"An invaluable guide for aspiring indie authors. I will cherish this book."

" I have read it twice now and am reading the first part, the part about developmental editing, for a third time. I expect to read the whole book several more times in the next couple of years."

As recommended by professional editors worldwide.
Note: Self-editing is not a substitute for employing a professional editor. For your book to be the very best it can be, you will still need another set of eyes on it. Diligently following the advice in this book, however, means that your editor will have far less work to do, and therefore charge a fraction of what they would have needed to charge to edit a rough first draft.
Read more
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  1. Print length
    412 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 14, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.03 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1838016503
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1838016500
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an invaluable resource for a growing subset of writers. This is everything I've ever wanted to say to self-publishing authors, presented clearly and respectfully. There were a number of topics that I found myself considering in regards to my own fiction writing, and others where, as an editor, I wanted to shout an 'Amen!' The section on PoV was enlightening to me as a writer, and I will be applying your advice in my own writing."

"I really enjoyed this book! You have a winner here, a much-needed addition to any writer's resource shelf."

"I think this book will be an invaluable resource for any writer, whether they wish to self-publish or not."

About the Author

Richard Bradburn is a professional editor, running editorial.ie, a long-established literary consultancy based in south west Ireland that, thanks to the internet, has a client list that spans four continents. Clients have gone on to self-publish, be traditionally published and be shortlisted for prestigious literary awards. His favourite quote about editing: "Editing fiction is like using your fingers to untangle the hair of someone you love." Stephanie Roberts.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reen Publishing
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 412 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1838016503
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1838016500
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.03 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 87 ratings

About the author

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Richard Bradburn

Richard Bradburn

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Richard Bradburn has been writing and editing since the early noughties. He wrote novels (and short stories, some of which were shortlisted for awards and eventually published). Other writers told him he had a talent for critique, so he became an editor, training and studying things about the written word that he didn't know he didn't know, learning how to help others achieve their writing ambitions. He critiqued and edited authors' work on websites hosted by Harper Collins, Penguin, and even the mighty Amazon. He wrote for the national press (the Irish Times) on writing and editing, his articles being picked up by international literary journals (Arts and Letters Daily). He spoke at conferences in the UK and Europe, encouraging writers to think about how to write their best work. He is the managing editor of a highly respected literary consultancy in West Cork, Ireland, with a global client list spanning five ocntinents comprising fiction and non-fiction authors, corporates, and government departments.

In his editing work he found that many authors had no idea how to begin self-edting their work - revising their own manuscripts more objectively. In addition to incurring high editing fees, it meant those authors weren't improving their craft as much or as quickly as they could. There were no comprehensive modern manuals on the subject, giving all the information that an author needs to self-edit, in an easily structured and logical format, so he wrote one. This is it. In it you will find his distilled experience of the common pitfalls that many self-published authors fall into. All the most common questions are answered, all the most common problem areas explored, with copious before-and-after edited examples. If you need one book to move your first draft from amateur to professional and help you get that publishing deal, or self-publish a book that stands a chance of success, you could try this one.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
87 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • DOC SHADOW
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Upper Level Text on Self-editing
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Those who have attempted the almost impossible task of editing their own novel to the point of acceptability may be familiar with the earlier work “Self-editing for Fiction Writers” (Browne and King, 2004). Richard Bradburn mentions that book and comments that it “fall(s) more into the arena of how to write, rather than how to edit.” And he has a valid point. Although his own work covers much of the same territory, it is often more detailed and descriptive of the complete editing process that traditional publishers employ when moving a project to publication. I came across “Self-editing for Self-publishers” while searching for aid in understanding problems with POV and “head-hopping” and found it covered those subjects better than anything else I’ve read. (Also valuable are the seventy-five pages of appendices on such topics as writing a synopsis, working with beta readers, and hiring an editor – which the author recommends all self-publishing authors to do.) It may be appropriate to think of the Browne and King book as the text for Self-editing 101 and Bradburn’s as the main reading in an upper level course on the same subject. I bought print editions of both and have them underlined, double-underlined, and dog-eared.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • dichter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best deep-dive self-editing book I've found
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I've used the Renni Browne-Dave King self-editing book and found it to be excellent for the subjects it covers. But when I found Richard Bradburn's Self-Editing for Self-Publishers, I discovered this took the task to a whole new and helpful level. There is so much information, so well presented, I suggest at least a couple of cover-to-cover reads, before digging down into areas that specifically interest you. You may even try composing a style sheet, if you never have, to put focus on your own style.

    Also, regardless if you work with an editor at a traditional house, using this wonderful book to sharpen your prose to the best you can make it beforehand should be a no brainer, helping you along whatever route you take to publishing. The fact the author has a great sense of humor only makes this journey even more enjoyable and worthwhile.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Baker's Dozen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to self editing
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The writer did a great job of introducing the ideas behind editing. He does a thorough job of going into numerous subjects related to the art of editing. Not all subjects may be of interest to all readers, yet for the sake of completeness he still covers them.
    If you want to gain priceless information on how you can evaluate your writing while your writing it, then this book can help you avoid a great number of mistakes in the first draft. It will then show you how to approach improving later drafts. For a hobby writer such as myself, this was a great addition to my writing education.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • William H. Forbis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of important but under-discussed info
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Like anyone who's ever written (or attempted to write a novel) I found myself coming up with questions that seemed to be ignored by many of the writing books and blog posts out there. This book answers a lot of them, with especially strong sections on POV issues, and the famed "show don't tell" debate. Well worth the money and I'm sure I'll read it more than once.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amanda Berthault
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for writers and editors
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    For writers who are looking for ways to improve their writing, and editors wanting to improve their fiction editing skills, this guide covers everything. Many of the common issues like plot structure, character development, and point of view are discussed in great detail. As a writer, I personally found the POV section to be invaluable. The writing style is also engaging and supportive. Highly recommend!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Lynda A. Dietz
    5.0 out of 5 stars I want to give this to every writer I know
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
    Self-editing for Self-publishers is the best new resource out there for not only self-publishers, but writers of all levels who want to make sure their manuscripts are as polished as possible before taking the next step in the publishing process.

    For those who are newer to the writing game, author Richard Bradburn covers all the basics, based on what he’s seen as a book editor. He examines the most common errors all writers make, and then provides clear instruction and easy-to-implement advice.

    The book is split into three basic parts: the first part explains exactly what’s involved in self-editing, which is a little different than simple revisions. Bradburn encourages writers to put themselves in the place of an agent, a publisher, or a reader to distance themselves enough to work effectively. The second part focuses on the big-picture items like plot, character, and pacing, giving examples in abundance. The third part takes the writer to the sentence level and shows how to find, analyze, and fix what’s wrong or what’s weak.

    This book explores differences in the many varieties of English used all over the world, and gives examples across the board. There are six appendices to help with everything from point of view issues to the use of editing software.

    Whether you plan to self-publish or get your manuscript in tip-top shape to query an agent, this resource can help from every angle. Consider it the updated, even-more-thorough version of Browne & King’s Self-editing for Fiction Writers—a terrific book on its own, but now sixteen years past its release date, leaving writers in need of something more current and applicable in today’s market.

    Self-editing for Self-publishers is a book I’m not only happy to recommend, but glad to have on my own resource shelf.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Fran
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for writers
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2022
    I highly recommend Self-Editing for Self-Publishers to those who study fiction writing. It provides an in-depth resource for every aspect of writing and editing. Most revelatory for me were the guidelines of what is considered currently acceptable prose in any genre. Nearly every chapter contained an element of writing never seen before in the numerous "how to write fiction" books that I've studied. Richard Bradbury drafted this book in a comfortable style and the occasional levity assures it won't require a furrowed brow akin to a college text followed by a test. In my opinion this guidebook should be readily available on every writer’s bookshelf.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Elsie King
    5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive guide to self-publishing
    Reviewed in Australia on September 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Well set out. Easy to understand. Delves deep into the art and process of editing. A great ongoing resource for writers.
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  • Nitpicker Nic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Add it to "Critical Resources" for Writers (or editors-in-training)
    Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Even following all the suggestions in this book, a writer will still require a professional set of "fresh eyes" for an optimum product, but the better the quality of the manuscript handed to an editor, the more it will shine at the end. However, the author has set out, clearly and concisely, ways in which a writer can approach their manuscript: what to look for, how to change it. He provides side-by-side comparisons so the reader can see the difference. After a full read-through, this is a resource that a writer can dip into time and again for specific guidance. Highly Recommend.
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  • Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A very interesting and helpful book that everyone who is editing a novel should read. This book is crammed with information that every writer should know. It's easy to understand and goes into so many aspects of editing that a first time novelist may not know.

    This is an absolute must-have for anyone writing a book be it fiction or non-fiction.
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  • petergray
    5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A FINE BOOK THAT DOES WHAT IT CLAIMS TO DO
    Reviewed in Spain on December 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Disclaimer - I have written and self-published five thrillers. I looked at them some months later, laughed and unpublished them. I am now in the middle of making them better.

    If you're writing and learning to write, two things which mean the same, then you know that self-editing is vital. Unless you're already making millions from your work, you need to know how to edit yourself before your books are even good enough to hand over to a professional.

    Learning how to edit makes you a better writer, of course.

    This book is so dense and full of the things you need to know that I have read it twice now and am reading the first part, the part about developmental editing, for a third time. I expect to read the whole book several more times in the next couple of years.

    It is a handbook that mimics the only possible logical process of going from the general to the particular - from why your villain is so pathetic, to noticing the sun rises twice that day, to whether or not to use the Oxford comma.

    Also, I forgot to mention, the book is nice and easy to read.
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  • Tom, Edinburgh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, slightly old fashioned, slightly trad focussed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a nice easy reading book with some great info. Unlike some books on self-editing it is actually well edited. You can tell the author is a professional editor with deep knowledge but he doesn't over do it.

    Some of the viewpoints aren't to my taste. The author is fairly obviously not a computer expert and is a bit of a Word fan. Their view is very much that of a traditional editor, they don't seem to have that strong a grasp of the economics of self publishing. Some of the advice might apply if you are going to sell 100,000 units but realistically that's very unlikely to happen and if you spend money on professional editing up front on the assumption your going to hit the 1000 to 1 jackpot, you'll lose money. The flexibility of e-books and print on demand mean as long as you do a good job of self-editing you can wait and see what kind of money the book is earning before spending a few thousand on a professional editor.

    The bottom line is this is a very useful book and one that can serve as a reference for common questions that come up when self-editing after the initial read through.
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