“Even after it’s printed, something will drive me crazy.” I’ve heard this line from somany authors, especially those who are publishing a book for the first time. Many first-time authors find it difficult to stop making minor tweaks on their book, even after it’s been edited.
A lot of first-time authors ask me how they can get over the fear of publishing a book that isn’t “perfect.”
Well guys, sorry to break it to you, but there’s no such thing as a perfect book. Especially not to the author.
So, authors, how do you deal with these concerns that your book won’t be perfect? You just have to make your book the best you can (and that means recruiting a competent self-publishing team: a book editor, a cover designer, a book formatter), then send it out into the world . . . and hope for the best.
Remember, not everyone will love your book—you just have to make sure you please the majority of your reader base, and let the hate roll off your back.
Book editor Kristen Hamilton is the owner and sole employee of Kristen Corrects, Inc., where she provides manuscript editing services for traditionally and self-publishing authors. Several authors whose books she has edited have won awards and have topped Amazon’s best sellers lists.
Reading is Kristen’s passion, so when the workday is over, she can usually be found curled up with a good book alongside her four cats. She loves watching cat videos and scary movies, eating pizza, teaching herself French, and traveling, and she is likely planning her next vacation. She lives outside of Boise, ID.