Make Your

Manuscript

Stand OUt

Pardon the mess - This page is under construction

While the ideas and inspiration for your novel come from you, it really does take a village to get it polished and ready for publishing. So I’ve created this comprehensive guide of my favorite resources & tips to help you along the way, including some I’ve created myself.

Writing & Editing Software

Equip yourself with the best tools for writing and editing your novel:

Both programs are highly recommended for indie authors aiming for professionalism and efficiency.

Tips on the Editing Process and Building a Community

Editing Process Tips:

  1. Self-Edit First: There’s a reason why they say you should write the book you want to read because you will need to go through several rounds of self edits. You can also read your manuscript aloud to catch awkward phrasing and errors or Microsoft Word has a new feature that will read it out loud to you.

  2. Seek Professional Help: Invest in developmental editing, line editing, or proofreading to polish your work.

  3. Use Tools: Consider software like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to clean up grammar and style.

Building a Community:

  • Join online writing groups on platforms like Facebook or Discord.

  • Attend local writing workshops or book fairs.

  • Engage with other writers on Instagram using hashtags like #amwriting and #indieauthor.

Writing Templates to Download

Streamline your writing process with these downloadable templates:

  • Plot structure worksheets

  • Character development profiles

  • Scene breakdown templates

Download Writing Templates (Coming Soon!)

Q&A: Getting Started as an Indie Author

Q: Do I need to hire an editor? A: Yes! An editor helps refine your story and ensures it’s polished for readers.

Q: How do I publish my book? A: Platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and IngramSpark make it easy to publish both ebooks and print books.

Q: How do I market my book? A: Build an author platform on social media, create an email newsletter, and collaborate with book bloggers and influencers.

Creating Your Dream Author Office

Design a workspace that inspires creativity and productivity:

  • Ergonomic Desk Chair: Shop ergonomic options.

  • Adjustable Desk: Stay comfortable with a standing desk. Explore desks here.

  • Ambiance Essentials:

    • String lights for a cozy vibe

    • A corkboard or whiteboard for plotting ideas

    • Noise-canceling headphones to focus

This resource page is designed to help you at every stage of your writing and publishing journey. Keep coming back for updates, new tools, and new tips to make the process as seamless as possible.

Staying Focused

  • Browse my Books on Writing and Productivity for insights and inspiration.

  • Stay off your phone with the Forest App to grow virtual trees as you focus or with Freedom to block distracting websites and apps. You can also set time limits for specific apps under the settings in your iPhone: Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.

Create Beautiful Books

Create Beautiful Books

a stack of books next to a laptop with an open document of writing

The best software for authors to format and create both print & ebooks. You can download Vellum for free and then purchase it when you’re ready to publish.

Scrivener

Scrivener

Typewriter. Corkboard. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the writing tools you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.

Grow Your Manuscript Your Way

Tailor-made for creating long manuscripts, Scrivener lets you break up your writing into sections as small or large as you like. At its heart is a simple ring-binder metaphor—gather material and switch between writing, notes and research with ease. Got a great idea but don’t know where it fits? Compose your text in any order you want—write when inspiration strikes and find its place later.