Editing Services

1. Developmental editing: This type of editing focuses on the big picture of a manuscript, including plot, character development, pacing, and structure. A developmental editor can help an author refine their story, strengthen their characters, and ensure that their manuscript is engaging and well-structured.
2. Copyediting: Copyediting involves reviewing a manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other mechanical issues. A copyeditor can help an author improve their writing by identifying and correcting errors in their manuscript.
3. Line editing: Line editing involves reviewing a manuscript line by line to improve its flow, style, and clarity. A line editor can help an author improve their writing by suggesting changes to sentence structure, word choice, and other elements of the manuscript.
4. Proofreading: Proofreading involves reviewing a manuscript for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. A proofreader can help an author ensure that their manuscript is error-free before it is published.
5. Content editing: Content editing is a combination of developmental and line editing. The editor reviews the manuscript's content and structure while also focusing on improving the manuscript's language, style, and readability.
6. Substantive editing: Substantive editing involves an in-depth review of the manuscript's content, structure, and language. The editor provides feedback and suggestions on how to improve the manuscript's overall quality, including its plot, character development, pacing, and narrative flow, as well as its language, style, and readability.
7. Ghostwriting: Ghostwriting involves writing a book on behalf of someone else. The ghostwriter works closely with the author to develop the book's concept, structure, and content, and then writes the manuscript on their behalf.

Before deciding to go down this route, authors and publishers should consider several factors. Firstly, it's essential to evaluate the budget available for publishing. Authors are required to invest their own money, so it's crucial to have a clear understanding of the financial implications.
Secondly, authors should assess their goals and expectations for their book. If they are seeking complete creative control and are willing to take on the responsibilities of self-publishing, a good publisher will offer a package that simply supports you in self-publishing. We call this 'Assisted Self-Publishing'. However, if you want professional support and services while still retaining some control, co-publishing can be a viable option.

Do your research and read the small print.
The company's reputation:
See if the company has a good reputation with authors. Reputable hybrid publishers should be very clear in what they are offering. Do they have reviews from satisfied authors? Ask you see a full list of everything they offer. Make sure you check exactly what is included and what comes at additional cost. Look carefully at the wording and look beyond that to what it is likely to mean for sales. What is their marketing plan? This is the big one which firmly differentiates a reputable hybrid publisher from a shark.
The company's fees:
Be sure to understand the company's fees and what they are paying for. Read the contract carefully before signing it to make sure you understand all the terms and conditions.
If you are considering hybrid publishing companies, I recommend doing your research and talking to other authors who have worked with the publisher.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to go this route is a personal one.

Many authors have found success in the hybrid publishing model. One such example is Andy Weir, author of "The Martian." Weir initially self-published the book on his website, but after gaining a significant following, he signed a deal with a traditional publisher. "The Martian" went on to become a bestseller and was adapted into a critically acclaimed film.
Another success story is Hugh Howey, author of the "Wool" series. Howey self-published the first novella in the series, which gained popularity and attracted the attention of traditional publishers. He eventually signed a hybrid publishing deal that allowed him to retain creative control while benefiting from professional distribution and marketing support.

And, of course, there is my own success! I have made far more money from my co-publishing arrangement for my first two books than I ever could have done from the original traditional deal. Something like four times as much money, PLUS, it was through the co-publishing arrangement that I got my original understanding of the publishing industry and was able to sell my work to overseas agencies and to film production companies.

These success stories highlight the potential of this exciting new model to propel authors to new heights and reach a wider audience.