Writing Your Book’s Back-Cover Copy

So you’ve written your book, you’ve chosen your title and cover design, and you’re breathing a sigh of relief. Now you have to decide what goes on the back cover. New authors sometimes rush this decision, writing the first thing that comes to mind. After all, it’s the back of the book. How important can it be? A lot more important than a person might think. The first hundred …

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Professional Book Editing: Lots More than a Grammar Check

If you are an author seeking professional book editing, you need to know there are several kinds of editing to choose from. If you're confident that your content is well-organized and beautifully written (and if your assumption is correct), all you need is a copy edit: essentially, a grammar and punctuation check. Some people call this a proofread. Different Kinds ... Read More

Creating a Book Index: Part of Professional Manuscript Editing Services?

Is creating a book index something you can expect from book editors and professional manuscript editing services? Book editors and indexers are separate breeds of people. Their skill sets do not overlap. If you are a scholar or technical writer who has authored a complex book, you will need an index—and a professional indexer. Well, how about self-indexing, you ask? ... Read More

How to Write a Book Glossary (Nonfiction)

Authors sometimes ask me, their editor, how to write a book glossary for their nonfiction manuscript. The first step is to make a list of all the technical or trade terms that come to mind off the top of your head that you want your reader to learn and remember. Expand this list by going through the book after it ... Read More

Introduction vs. Foreword—Which Does Your Nonfiction Book Need?

If you’re a new author confused about the spelling of Foreword, you’ve got a lot of company. If you’re confused about its meaning, you’ve got even more. The word is written Foreword, not Forward. An Introduction is different entirely, though many people think it’s the same thing. This article will explain the meaning and correct use of each of these ... Read More