For the last few weeks, my editorial focus has been on the proofing and reviewing of typeset versions of my debut novel, The Madness of the Faithful, which will be released on July 28th. This is a fairly laborious but absolutely necessary step to ensure the book is as perfect as it can be before its release. I have of course had it professionally copy-edited and proofed but as I am self-publishing with Matador books, the onus for final sign-off is on me.
I’ve found that the process of finalizing a book is a little like watching bathwater going down a drain. You go around and around in sequentially smaller circles, faster and faster, and each time you think you’re there, but you’re not, and you’re just a little closer than you were before. This, admittedly, is partly my fault. As I got closer to the end, and it seemed like I had everything in place in the story and all errors and typos had been fixed, I started to notice little things that I thought needed changing. Things like words repeated in successive sentences or very minor features of the story that didn’t sit right. What drove me was the idea that this would be it; this would be the final print version that would be available in shops or get ordered online and then sit for an age on the shelves of those who (hopefully) purchased it. It had to be as perfect as I could make it. Any niggles I felt about sentences that didn’t make sense or wording that jarred just had to go.
At each round when I read the book again, I picked up on further changes that were necessary, and I flagged them to the production manager, who passed them on to the typesetter. The next round had fewer edits, and so around and around the plughole I continued to orbit until I’d reached my destination. Last night, I sent through three edits, which hopefully represented the last comments and the next version will be the one I sign off for printing. The process has been exhausting but necessary. When the book comes out in July, I will feel proud of the final deliverable, no matter how many units I manage to sell.
From end to end, the process will have taken me two and a half years. I find it incredible when indie authors talk about publishing 2–3 (or even more!) books a year. Being my first novel, I do feel I’ve learned a great deal and have a far better idea of what I am doing with the second book – both in terms of writing and process. But end to end, I doubt I could reduce it down to less than two years. Crucially, what limits the process (other than my slow typing) is the need for meticulous QC. This is an area that often lets down self-publishing and gives it a bad name. In traditional publishing, books may be supported by a small editorial army. As indie authors, it’s on us to ensure the same rigorous practices are applied throughout. Can you get away without all the steps? Well, yes. But I wouldn’t recommend it. Cutting corners in QC is not something I see as an option. For the benefit of the reader, it is – and always will be – a long and laborious process. Will I have done enough to make the end experience worthwhile? Judge for yourself when the book is released in July.
