Piper Nuelle

One thing that I feel is highly important when you are publishing a book, whether that be the Traditional route or the Self Publishing route, when you receive your proof copy, go through it with a fine tooth comb! There is nothing worse then letting your precious book baby take flight and be free in the world of books, but someone, a reader picks up on a major book defect or a rouge spelling mistake, which could have been avoided if you had gone through your proof copy.

I am currently at that stage where I am proofing to make sure it is as perfect as it is going to be… Yes it has been edited… Yes it has been proofed online, but sometimes you can only see certain mistakes when the actual book is in your hand.

So I have some hints and tips for what to do when you receive your proof copy:

• Order a few proof copies and get beta readers to read them – This one is essential. Beta readers can be friends, family, someone you pay, or people from a writers club or book club. But their job is to read your book and tell you what they think and pick up on any potential last minute, missed mistakes. This is not for major remodels of the book or story changes, but just last minute things that you and or your editor may have missed.
• Look over the whole book, blurb, cover, inside etc – Look through the whole book. Inspect the cover is it as you hoped? Does anything need to change? Inspect the blurb, does it make sense? Capture the meaning of the story in a short paragraph or two? Inspect the inside. Is everything in alignment, has anything moved or jumped, are all sentences in the correct place?
• Highlight any mistakes – Take the time to read through it and highlight anything that needs updating or changing. Highlighting it will make sure that you don’t forget or miss it when you update the manuscript or when you speak to your editor and or publishing team.
• Order one last one when all changes have been made – Once you have checked the whole book and you are happy with any changes you have made, order one last proof! This is just to make sure all changes went through properly, that nothing has moved since the updated manuscript and that you are truly happy with it.

Once you have done all of these, then you can go ahead and click publish if your are Self-Publishing, or tell your Publisher that all is good. And then wait for that book baby to be published and hopefully sell and fly off the shelves!

I have been doing all these steps for mine. As I write this I have my Beta Readers reading through and emailing me with any changes they feel the manuscript needs at this point in the book process.

I have also been treating myself to some alone and quiet time with my book, such as going to a cafe or coffee shop and ordering something nice to eat and drink, and then concentrating on editing my final proof. It is all hard work, but I know it will be worth it all in the end.

If you are interested in my book then here is the link to it for when it releases on 19th August 2025… Death’s Carousel by Piper Nuelle

Take care, xo Piper xo