What Types of Editing Does My Manuscript Need?
No matter how skilled a writer you are, your manuscript will require numerous rounds and types of editing to elevate it to its full potential. It’s ideal to hire a professional editor to assist you with each round of editing. But if budget is a concern, you may have to try to find family or friends who are willing to help with some of these aspects. Even if you can hire a professional, you’ll still want as many eyes on the manuscript as possible for additional suggestions.
Editors often assess the state of a manuscript before estimating their editing costs, so the tighter the manuscript is by the time it gets in their hands, the less expensive their fees will be. Asking people in your life whose opinions you respect to read your manuscript before it goes to a professional editor is always a good idea.
Self-Publishing is Like Wedding Planning
Assembling a high-quality book is like planning a wedding. Ideally, you have a large budget to hire out all the services necessary to host an elegant wedding: a fancy venue, high-end linens, gourmet catering, a unique florist, a professional photographer, live musical entertainment. You identify your preferred vendors, write them checks, and show up on your wedding day ready to celebrate. But if your actual budget doesn’t allow you to hire professionals to provide every service, you need to prioritize.
To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish: Comparing Book Publishing Options
One of the first questions we often receive from authors is, “What are the publishing options for my book?” The answer is that there are numerous paths to consider, all with advantages and disadvantages, and it can take some time to determine the best one for you and your book. To help you get started, this post will define different publishing options—traditional, hybrid, vanity, and self-publishing; list distinguishing characteristics of each option; and offer a comparison chart.
Meet the Editors: An Interview with Julia Soplop
Hello, I’m Julia Soplop. I’m the founder of Hill Press and the author of three books: Untangling the Self-Publishing Process, Equus Rising: How the Horse Shaped U.S. History, and Documenting Your World Through Photography.
I joke that I’m a branding expert’s worst nightmare, because I’ve never been able to box myself into just one field or subject. Curiosity has been the primary driver of my academic and professional life. Along the way, I’ve collected a bachelor’s in French, a master’s in medical journalism, and a plethora of coursework in documentary and fine arts photography as well as biology and public health. Whether working for a nonprofit, a publication, or as a freelancer, I’ve always loved delving into just about any subject and figuring out how to bring it to life through writing or photography. (You can read a few of my favorite pieces here.)
New Edition Available: Documenting Your World Through Photography
We’re pleased to announce the publication of the 2nd edition of Documenting Your World Through Photography: An Introductory Course for Elementary and Middle Schoolers by Hill Press founder Julia Soplop. Aside from a bright new cover, the content of this beloved curriculum remains the same. However, changes we’re making to broaden the distribution of the book have allowed us to reduce the price! We feel passionately about making this resource accessible to more students. You can purchase the ebook (digital download) here and the paperback here.