All - my 5th book is now with the editor. Well, it's been with the editor since the beginning of September, and he is just now getting to it. This is the part I do not like. It's like taking a test in school and waiting to see what grade you got (how many answers were wrong). But this 5th book is so much different from my other books as its 120 pages, 4700+ words, and will be my first hardcover book. Also, I changed up the book size, and this one will be 8.5X5.5. I was hopeful for a soft launch this year, but we will see. I'll keep you all posted.

I preface this from my viewpoint in The Biz, with a couple of Songs! "By Myself" by the legendary Judy Garland, and "I'm Still Here" by Yvonne De Carlo...(please go check the videos out on YouTube!) I have always been self-sufficient and a survivor. When I moved to my current house, I bought a 12' trailer and made Many trips, 75 miles each way, and hauled everything from a two-story house...by myself! And now, with my completed book of over 800 pages (all done by Me, no AI or help from anyone else!) I find the hardest part to be all the necessary work After the pen is put down! (Yes, I Did take the advice offered here to turn the book into a Series, so I am Not Completely unreasonable and hard-headed!) But, I Don't Like relying on anyone for anything, if I can help it, and have been trying to do all the formatting, editing, etc. alone. I have found some free editing programs online that I may try, before I even consider paying someone to do it, but would welcome opinions on going this route. But really...go watch those videos! Amazing! 😁 Thanks! Bruce Wayne

Does anyone have tips for self editing and proofreading. I find it almost impossible. People who do know how to do it are expensive.

All - there is a post on Substack by Donn King - Kingschronicles, and he writes a hypothetical piece where Grodan Ramsay and Fred Rogers are Developmental Editors for a book manuscript. A nicely written piece that shows two approaches by these characters as they take on the role of a developmental editor and how they present their findings to the author of the manuscript. Interesting read with some great messages. Well worth a few minutes of your time. Grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with Gordon and Fred. I wish you all the best. (2) If Gordon Ramsay and Fred Rogers Were Developmental Editors

I already decided on creating the audio book version of my book to launch along with the paper copy. My ask is for do's and dont's, suggestions and things to avoid in creating such version. Also, should I sell exclusively on Amazon / Audible or not? Thanks for your help.