(Updated May 2026) With all the manuscripts I edit I’ve learned many writers don’t know the standard formatting for a book manuscript or how to create a proper indent to their paragraphs. Many seem to rely on the default settings in MS Word, which uses a sans serif font, single spacing, and 8pt between paragraphs…
Even though I read authors in my favorite genre, now and then I go to the library to find books by unfamiliar authors in genres I don’t usually read. After all, how would new authors ever make it to the best seller list? I’ve discovered some wonderful authors this way. And in all honesty, I…
Are you unknowingly putting limits on yourself? Let me rephrase that. How often are you saying “I can’t”? Believe it or not, I fight a constant battle with the belief that I can’t read a book or watch a video during regular 8-to-5 work hours. Doesn’t matter that the book or video is educational and…
You might think I wrote this post simply to gain more editing work. That is not my intent. When CreateSpace came on the scene decades ago, making it easier to publish a book independently, the market was flooded with books that hadn’t seen a speck of red from an editor’s pen. And any reader could…
Every writer should learn to self-edit. It’s a critical skill—one that strengthens your writing, sharpens your message, and helps you grow with every project you complete. But here’s the truth many writers don’t hear often enough: self-editing alone is not enough to prepare your manuscript for publication. Let’s talk about why—and when it is enough.
When writers hire me to edit their nonfiction, I often see the same structural problems repeated. The content is valuable. The ideas are strong. But if the structure is weak, readers struggle to follow the message. Structure is what turns a collection of ideas into a clear, compelling book. If you’re working on a nonfiction…
Writers love drafting. We love new ideas, new chapters, new angles. We love seeing that word count climb. What we don’t always love?Stopping. But if your project feels scattered, slow, or harder than it should be, the issue probably isn’t lack of “butt in chair,” but one of clarity. Before you write another chapter, ask…
I’ve never stopped to count the number of books I have on the craft of writing. They fill 3 bookshelves in my 5-shelf book case. And I admit, I haven’t read them all, nor I have finished all the ones I started. Does that mean they aren’t good books? Not at all. Just means I…