Author's Role

The author’s role in the publishing process is to write the story, right? Yes, that’s a pretty important part. After all, without that, there is no book. But it doesn’t stop there. The author is also responsible for working with the editors to take the manuscript and turn it into a published book.

After a publisher accepts the manuscript and offers a publishing agreement, the editorial process begins. This usually involves three stages: content editing, line editing, and copyediting. Content editing involves an editor looking at the structure of the story. This is the “big picture” of the story. Yes, there will be changes, but the author shouldn’t look on the editor as an adversary. The editor is not trying to damage the author’s work; in fact, quite the opposite. Both author and editor have the same goal in mind, which is to publish the best work possible.

After the editor and author are happy with the content, the line edit begins. This is the “down in the weeds” part of the process. The editor will look at the sentence structure and word choice. Typically, an author will review the line edit changes and comment on them.

The final editing stage is the copyedit. This is when grammar and punctuation are examined. An author usually does not review the copyedited manuscript because changes are most often minor and the author will have a chance to review the manuscript after pages have been composed.

After editing, the manuscript enters the layout stage. This stage goes by many different names—layout, page composition, production, just to name a few—but what takes place is the same. The text is typeset and graphics are added as appropriate to create what will appear as the final published product. This is when the book begins to look like a book. The author will review the composed pages, called galley proofs, and be given one last opportunity to comment. At this stage, generally only errors are corrected, and subjective changes are generally not done. From this stage, the book goes to the printer or to be translated into an e-book, and then it becomes a published work.

However, the author’s responsibility does not end once the book is published. Often, the best marketer for the author’s book is...the author. It is the author who knows every detail of the story, how the characters came to be who they are, and all of the other developmental insights that the reader—or editor—never sees. The publisher will undertake various marketing schemes, and many of these will involve the author, such as book signings. However, the author should be willing to explore opportunities to promote the work beyond what the publisher undertakes. Readers want to personally connect with the author. Social media and author websites are common ways for an author to reach out directly to readers and to engage in marketing beyond what the publisher can do. As an author, be engaged in the marketing of your work. You’re proud of the book; show it and help sell the book.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success.” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.