Strong Tower Publishing also offers advice to prospective authors in its introduction to the self-publishing marketplace, Do You Really Want to Self-Publish Your Book? Although written in 2001, the book still provides a no-nonsense look at the "should I or shouldn't I" issue. Because the names and prices from the examples have changed, the book is offered at 50% discount.

Before you rush into the editing process, there are a number of things you should consider. Many authors looking to publish, whether through self-, traditional, or co-op publishing, are anxious to jump right into editing in order to "finish up" their books. This is understandable, but it isn't always the best course of action. Before deciding which service to use, we recommend that authors (especially first-time authors) read our short article "Self-Publishing First Steps: What Should I Do First?"

Some authors may feel that they don't need additional services beyond proofing or light editing because God has called them to write. Some may even feel that the topic and the content are inspired directly by God. If this is the case for you, we encourage you to consider the following observations by Kathy Ide, Christian editor, speaker, and writing mentor. Go to Kathy's comments.

Manuscript Evaluation

Strong Tower Publishing offers two levels of evaluations:

Top-level Evaluations: Strong Tower Publishing will skim your manuscript and provide an overall evaluation of organization, readability, and appropriateness for the publishing marketplace. Up to 200 typed, double-spaced pages, $59. For manuscripts 200 - 400 typed, double-spaced pages, $89. For manuscripts larger than 400 pages, $109.

This step is highly recommended for new authors before submitting manuscripts for copy editing (whether to us or someone else). An evaluation of this type will let you know if there are major structural or content issues with your manuscript upfront, before you spend the money for copy editing or start sending manuscripts to publishers.

Top-level evaluations do not guarantee a read of every page of your manuscript (although sometimes we do), but enough of the manuscript to get an overall feel of the issues outlined above. For authors looking for a more detailed analysis of content and writing style, Strong Tower Publishing will read every page of your manuscript in the detailed evaluation (below).

Detailed Evaluation: A detailed evaluation will provide you with both the top-level analysis and a page-by-page discussion of more granular issues at the paragraph and sentence level. If a sentence doesn't make sense, we'll mark it. If your argument isn't flowing or a transition is awkward, we'll let you know. Where appropriate, we'll provide suggestions so that you, as the author, can go back and address these issues yourself.

This both helps authors learn the craft of writing and helps them to avoid greater costs, since you may be able to make many of the changes yourself, rather than paying an editor a rewriting or developmental editing fee to do it for you..

For authors submitting hard copy manuscripts, comments will be made in the margins. For authors submitting electronic manuscripts, comments will be made in Word Tracking mode or in red text within the document itself.

For hard copy, cost is $2.00 per 250-word page, plus postage (if you want the manuscript returned). For electronic files, cost is $2.00 per 250-word page, plus $10 for consumables (we print all manuscripts and read them in hard copy).

While nonfiction manuscripts can be evaluated on screen, fiction requires the author to mail a hard copy print-out for evaluation by our fiction editor. Our editor is a Ph.D. in English literature and can do either top-level evaluations or in-depth critiques (including plot and character), which like the nonfiction manuscripts, are priced at $2.00 per 250-word page.

Proofing

Proofing services are $2 per page, formatted to 250 words per page. Proofing includes reading and correcting the manuscript for gross errors at the sentence level, limited to typos, errors in spelling, occasional punctuation, capitalization, and grammar (for example, subject-verb agreement). No alterations or suggestions relating to author's content or formatting will be made.

Proofing is intended as a final step for authors whose manuscripts are either previously edited or are professionally written. It is not intended to replace a copy edit or to fix systemic errors (for example, it covers fixing occasional punctuation errors, not re-punctuating an entire document).

Pricing can be determined by dividing the word count by 250 to determine the number of 250-word pages, then applying the appropriate fee schedule.

Changes are made on hard copy or in the electronic document, whichever the author prefers. If the complexity of the document or the initial condition of the manuscript requires more than two reads (i.e. extensive grammatical errors, poor sentence structure, and so forth), additional reads may be recommended for an additional fee.

Free five-page sample provided.

All theological manuscripts must adhere to the basic Strong Tower Publishing statement of faith: that God exists in three Persons known as the Trinity— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are separate persons and yet are all equally One God; that scripture is the final authority in the life and practice of the believer; and that salvation is found only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, through faith, by God's unmerited grace. Theological manuscripts adhering to any other doctrine will not be accepted.

Copyediting

Many authors contact Strong Tower Publishing, asking for copy editing quotes, before their manuscripts are really ready for the copy editing process. For first-time authors, we recommend that you read our short article, "What Should I Do First?" before you proceed to the next step.

Copy editing is $4 per page. Copy editing includes corrections for punctuation, spelling, grammar, capitalization, and formatting, plus minor corrections at the sentence level to maintain clarity of the manuscript, such as making suggestions for wording in awkward or unclear phrases. May also include minor corrections to the formatting to achieve textual consistency (adding paragraph breaks, correcting or adding subheads, and so on). Especially for new authors, this can dramatically improve the professionalism of the manuscript. If manuscripts are provided in electronic form, no special formatting is required.

Copy editing is not a rewriting process and will not turn a poorly written manuscript into a well-written manuscript. If authors are looking to lift the level of their writing, they may want to consider developmental editing (below).

Pricing for copy editing can be determined by dividing the word count by 250 to determine the number of 250-word pages, then applying the appropriate fee schedule.

Changes are made on hard copy or in the electronic document, whichever the author prefers. If the complexity of the document or the initial condition of the manuscript requires more than two reads (i.e. extensive grammatical errors, poor sentence structure, and so forth), additional reads may be recommended for an additional fee.

Free five-page sample provided.

All theological manuscripts must adhere to the basic Strong Tower Publishing statement of faith: that God exists in three Persons known as the Trinity— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are separate persons and yet are all equally One God; that scripture is the final authority in the life and practice of the believer; and that salvation is found only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, through faith, by God's unmerited grace. Theological manuscripts adhering to any other doctrine will not be accepted.

Developmental / Substantive Editing & Rewriting

Copy editing is an important step to finalizing a manuscript and making it as professional as it can be, but it won't guarantee that a manuscript will read like any other professionally written book. The quality of an author's writing, whether professional or unprofessional, will still shine through.

To help authors turn incomplete or draft versions of manuscripts into polished books, Strong Tower Publishing offers developmental / substantive editing and rewriting services. These services include light rewriting for transitions, smoothness, clarity, and style, as well as development of themes, addition of scriptural depth, improvements in organization and flow, and so on. These services are priced at an hourly rate of $40.

Strong Tower Publishing cannot give estimates on developmental or rewriting work without having first completed at least one chapter at the established rate. Based on the time required to complete the test chapter, we can then create an estimate for the rest of the book. These estimates are subject to change, based on issues that arise during the editing process.

Looking for more information on self-publishing?

If you are looking for more information on self-publishing, we recommend Do You Really Want to Self-Publish Your Book by H. L. Nigro, which gives a no-nonsense look at the experience of self-publishing for the average author. Don't be fooled by the hype that self-publishing automatically leads to riches and fame. Before you get in over your head, read about the real deal that the other 999,999 authors experience.

Another great resource for self-publishing information is www.booksjustbooks.com. Read free articles and ask for their free self-publishing book.
 

Other recommended reading

Free counters provided by Andale.