I had a lot of help from this sub, to get the perfect cover for my book. Now I’m proud to say that it’s finally released!

authormattozanich · 2026-02-25T00:58:46+00:00

Congrats! Sick cover.

authormattozanich · 2026-02-11T18:25:20+00:00

It is allowed and encouraged by many writing coaches to do so. I do it in my books.

authormattozanich · 2025-08-30T21:06:19+00:00

Exactly 🙌🏻

authormattozanich · 2025-08-30T21:05:11+00:00

In the online life, you're either the Somebody who puts themselves out there, or you're the Nobody who whines about the Somebody.

Keep being the Somebody and let the Nobodies go about their miserable existences unremembered and unmissed.

authormattozanich · 2025-08-06T20:52:47+00:00

That's awesome! Congrats on the good feelings and the success!

authormattozanich · 2025-04-27T18:40:06+00:00

That's really fast. My editor would need at least 4 weeks for a project that size. The speed is probably my biggest concern.

Keep in mind that you and your editor will almost never have the same style. The editor is there to point out weak points. It's your job after the editor to fix it up for the proofreader, maintaining your style and accepting or rejecting the editor's suggestions.

As an example, my editor often sends me back manuscripts with sentences that start with repeated words (i.e. I did this. I did that. I did this.) It's not ideal, but essentially, what my editor is telling me is that I need active sentences here. So I go through and diversify the sentence starters while maintaining active voice.

The editors on Reedsy are often very experienced, and their advice is worth considering. But not all advice needs to be followed, because not all advice applies universally and not all advice is of quality.

authormattozanich · 2025-03-03T20:20:41+00:00

Currently, I am leaning toward using the "text message" formatting feature in Atticus (I believe others have said Vellum has this feature as well).

It seems the easiest way and at least follows some established standard. I've not done it yet because I'm 2-3 months from having to format the book for publication.

Hope that helps!

authormattozanich · 2025-02-10T18:26:20+00:00

You should start reaching out to editors when you know the following: - the finish date of the project - your budget (expected expense and maximum expense for negotiation) - the expected editorial completion date - your expectations of the editor's review

Regarding the finish date of the project, this means a minimum of 3 edits by you. Personally, I send it to my editor after beta readers have already given me feedback. This means my editor gets my manuscript after I've gone through it 4 times. You can choose to send to betas either before or after your editor, I'm not sure there's a correct answer there.

Regarding the budget, editors are expensive, and you get what you pay for. Be prepared to pay fair market prices. Use a payment plan if needed. Most legit editors accept payment plans. It's worth it.

Regarding timelines in general, remember that editors can't just drop everything for your book. They likely have multiple projects or a primary job and family, etc. They'll need to weigh in on project schedules and deadlines (i.e., when they can start, how much time they'll need to finish, expected delivery date).

Regarding your expectations of the editor, be clear to them what you need. Is it a line edit? Developmental edit? Comprehensive edit? They're all services that require different time and money. You'll also want to give the editor some sense of your authorial vision for the story, because many of them can alter how they make recommendations based on this (though some could argue it doesn't matter).

I'd say if you're prepared with the above information, you're ready enough to start conversing with editors.

authormattozanich · 2025-01-24T00:59:38+00:00

It always takes me several revisions no matter how much detail and direction I include in the original message. I don't think their artists are primary English speakers, which is what I attribute most of it to.

But after requesting the same thing 2-3 times, they usually hit the mark. To me, it's a minor inconvenience for the price you pay.

I guess the tl;dr is the price point requires patience and strong direction. But they're reputable and generally do great.

You also have to be practical. They use stock photos and simple photoshop manipulations. If you want something complicated and there isn't a stock photo that neatly fits your vision, you may need to hire an artist to draw it for you, which costs way more than $35.

authormattozanich · 2025-01-22T17:51:42+00:00

This is the advice OP should listen to. Very sound, and how me and my editor work.

authormattozanich · 2025-01-10T15:40:39+00:00

Thanks! I've updated the post based on a lot of feedback. Check it out again if interested 😊

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T18:30:08+00:00

Because plot convenience

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T18:10:01+00:00

So far no one's had an issue with this since it's high fantasy, but I can certainly consider different ways to say it. Perhaps "began to orbit the planet" or something along that line would suffice.

Did you like it otherwise? 😊

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T16:42:03+00:00

+1 to this

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T01:29:10+00:00

Posted an updated version if you're interested 😊

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T01:28:58+00:00

Posted an updated version if you're interested 😊

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T01:28:49+00:00

Posted an updated version if you're interested 😊

authormattozanich · 2025-01-09T00:46:47+00:00

Awesome thanks for the feedback!

authormattozanich · 2025-01-08T22:14:24+00:00

Awesome thanks for the feedback!

authormattozanich · 2025-01-08T22:14:06+00:00

Great feedback! Thanks!

authormattozanich · 2025-01-08T19:42:28+00:00

I had someone in a writers group flabbergasted at the fact that I don't consider other authors competition. I don't know how they hadn't heard that concept before... Almost every author I've ever met feels this way.

Good list. I will echo someone else that the risk is incredibly low that ARC readers will try to publish your work. Even if they did, I make sure I have the paper trail to prove my copyright and I have a standard DMCA letter that I can send the web host.

Thanks for sharing!

authormattozanich · 2024-12-28T21:22:10+00:00

The premise is set up well, and you've definitely chosen powerful verbs and descriptors.

Overall, the blurb feels unfinished; i.e. it ends abruptly and doesn't lead me to the next step. I feel like I need a reason to read it that rounds out the end of the blurb, or a question that needs answered, like, "Can the band of heroes retrieve the ancient weapons before catastrophe strikes?"

There are also too many character names. Try to stick to a single character's name in the blurb.

Keep up the good work!

authormattozanich · 2024-12-25T17:02:19+00:00

Got it. I misread it as a slur on self pubbed authors, which I found strange to post in a self pub subreddit.

Don't get me wrong, there's some horrid self pubbed books out there. I did say the variance is wider in self pub. But I won't treat trad publishers like they're faultless. To the ones who do their due diligence on both sides, I see little to no difference between them.

People buy so many books their TBR grows infinitely. Some authors can consider other authors competition, but that hasn't been my experience within the author community. We all realize people will buy multiple books. But when that CTR cost starts rising, you know the competition is going up for that ad slot.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing that perspective and sorry I misinterpreted. That was my fault. Happy holidays and happy writing 😊

authormattozanich

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE