How Publishing Works

WATCH OUT FOR THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Seven-ish years ago, I worked for my church helping proofread the latest edition of our scriptures for publication. It was the first time...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Nov 23, 20202 min read

COURSE LAUNCH: MANUSCRIPT-CRITIQUE CERTIFICATION COURSE

This is becoming a launch week. While you're waiting for Indie Writing Wisdom (available December 1, links to come), check out my...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Nov 5, 20201 min read

COVER REVEAL: INDIE WRITING WISDOM

I've been waiting to make this announcement until I got the go-ahead from the lead author. Introducing . . . If you can't tell, that's my...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Nov 2, 20201 min read

HOW MUCH DOES EDITING COST, ANYWAY?

I'll let you in on a secret: Based on my own experiences, most people have no idea how much they should expect to pay for editing....

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Oct 6, 20202 min read

THINKING ABOUT TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING? READ THIS FIRST

In one of the author groups I belong to on Facebook, an admin recently shared these articles. If your goal is having your book...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Sep 18, 20201 min read

A REASON FOR THE EXPENSE OF EDITING

I found this in an editors' group on Facebook recently. If you've ever wondered why editors charge so much, this is a major reason. Write...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Sep 5, 20201 min read

"GUARANTEED," EH?

Not long ago, an author sent me a message that read, in part, as follows (edited for clarity): "The consensus is: nobody can guarantee a...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Sep 3, 20201 min read

THINKING ABOUT USING SMASHWORDS? HERE'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED

I've seen many self-publishing authors post questions on social media that go something like this: "How do I pick a self-publishing...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Jul 6, 20202 min read

WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED POST FOR AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

So . . . this happened today. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1029374 I published my first book! Granted, I've edited other...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Jun 24, 20201 min read

BESTSELLING TAKES TIME

I stumbled across this helpful article in one of the Facebook groups I belong to. Enjoy and happy Friday! https://www.bookscharming.com/2...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

May 22, 20201 min read

"YOU KEEP USING THAT WORD. . . ."

Yesterday, someone asked me how I differentiate between some of the services I offer. (You know who you are—thanks!) I've updated my...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Apr 27, 20202 min read

HOW DOES TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING WORK, ANYWAY?

After yesterday's post, it occurred to me that a lot of new authors probably don't know what happens to a manuscript once they send it to...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Apr 24, 20206 min read

HOW WELL CAN YOU EXPECT YOUR BOOK TO SELL?

Last night, I was doing some research about how well sequel books sell compared to originals. There's a surprising lack of information...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Apr 23, 20201 min read

ARE YOU WRITING FOR AN EIGHTH GRADER?

In my editing capstone class in college, I learned about something called popularization. Essentially, it means taking a highly technical...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Apr 15, 20203 min read

WHY DOES EDITING COST SO DOGGONE MUCH?

To answer the question in the title, I'd say that at least 90 percent of the time, a manuscript needs (much) more work than its author...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Mar 5, 20202 min read

SHAME ON THIS ANONYMOUS PUBLISHER

This afternoon, I was looking at listings from publishing companies who hire freelance editors. I came across a listing from a company in...

Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer

Jan 16, 20202 min read

WATCH OUT FOR THE RIPPLE EFFECT

COURSE LAUNCH: MANUSCRIPT-CRITIQUE CERTIFICATION COURSE

COVER REVEAL: INDIE WRITING WISDOM

HOW MUCH DOES EDITING COST, ANYWAY?

THINKING ABOUT TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING? READ THIS FIRST

A REASON FOR THE EXPENSE OF EDITING

"GUARANTEED," EH?

THINKING ABOUT USING SMASHWORDS? HERE'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED

WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED POST FOR AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

BESTSELLING TAKES TIME

"YOU KEEP USING THAT WORD. . . ."

HOW DOES TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING WORK, ANYWAY?

HOW WELL CAN YOU EXPECT YOUR BOOK TO SELL?

ARE YOU WRITING FOR AN EIGHTH GRADER?

WHY DOES EDITING COST SO DOGGONE MUCH?

SHAME ON THIS ANONYMOUS PUBLISHER

THE STORY ENGINEER BLOG