A working map for revision, editing, design, proofing, and release.
Finish the structure before polishing pages
Read the entire manuscript for its main promise. Does each chapter advance it? Mark duplicated material, missing transitions, and claims that need a source. Create a chapter-level revision plan before attempting line-by-line polish.
Different readers can help at different stages: a subject expert may find gaps, a target reader may flag confusion, and a professional editor may address structure or language. Give each reader specific questions rather than simply asking whether they liked it.
Separate editorial stages
- Developmental edit: argument, organization, omissions, and audience fit.
- Line edit: clarity, rhythm, tone, and transitions.
- Copyedit: consistency, mechanics, names, references, and style.
- Proofread: errors in the final designed pages or ebook file.
These stages can be combined for a small project, but do not proof a layout before the main structure is stable. Changes late in production are more likely to create new mistakes.
Design in the format people will use
Plan print and ebook as separate reading experiences. Inspect chapter openings, running heads, notes, tables, images, captions, and navigation. Test a real ebook file on more than one screen size. If printing, review a physical proof copy for margins, image quality, and binding behavior.
For each edition, record the format, trim or display specifications, final manuscript version, cover version, permissions, metadata, proof approval, release date, and where the final files are stored.
Plan the release backwards
Write a plain-language description and identify the book's likely readers. Choose distribution channels only after comparing their current terms, reach, pricing controls, and file requirements. Allow time for proofing, metadata review, and corrections before any announced release date.
Make this now: production schedule
List manuscript review, editorial rounds, permissions, design, format testing, proof, metadata, distribution setup, and launch materials. Assign a person and an approval date to each.
Next guide: Grow without losing the reader ↗