The editor has given the green light to my final revisions, so The Mystery of the Cyber Bully is on the way to the publisher for copy editing. Next time I'll see the manuscript is when the galleys are ready for proofing.
As I reflect on the process, I can't help but think of editing as a summer camp experience. At first, you're nervous and unsure of what others will think of you and you just want to call home and go back to a safe place. But once you get used to the idea, things start to get fun and before you know it's over.
Other writers might have a different view of the editing process, but I like revising. Maybe I'm a sucker for punishment, but I like taking the base of a good story and making it better, and I love it when I find an opportunity to flesh out a character moment. In the climax of this manuscript, my editor suggested a very funny passage of dialogue between my two protagonists. I took his suggestion and ran with it. As a result, the climax is really tight and tense, and it even has comic relief at the right moment.
What's next? Well, the publisher than assigns a copy editor to go through the manuscript to catch continuity errors, repetition and grammatical errors. I'll have a chance to adjust or clarify muddy moments. I'll also have a chance to proof the galleys before they go to the printers. The proofreading is my least favourite part of the process. Thankfully, I have a friend who loves to proofread. He catches all the mistakes that I miss.
Now I get to celebrate for just a few minutes and then it's on to Code Breakers Club. Yay!
Yay! Is mean Ida involved in this one? Also does Trina accept your apology?
Yes, Ida is in this book. Look for it this fall.