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Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing (Read this book before you publish your book) Paperback – January 1, 2021

by Sandra Wendel (Author)

4.7 113 ratings

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“Irreverent.” “Funny.” “Essential.”

Read this book before you publish your book.

You just wrote your first book. And there you are. Stark naked. Vulnerable. Wondering what to do next to get your masterpiece published.

This is the one book you need to read and follow if you’re writing a book for the first time. Why? Because you’ve never written a book before. This is new territory.

To write a successful book, you need to find and work with an editor who shares your passion for your work and your message and who will help you make your book sing. And sing a smash hit. A blockbuster of a message, clearly and carefully constructed so readers love you and your work and leave you five-star Amazon reviews only because they don’t have more stars to give.

This is a toolkit for tinkering under the hood of your working manuscript so you, the author, can take your work as far as you can before an edit and production such as cover design and not dump a half-baked chocolate cake on some poor schlub of an editor to “fix.”

Don’t make first-time author mistakes. No matter what you think, you do need an edit. Not from the English teacher next door. You can’t self-edit either. A professional editor knows how to navigate those thorny commas and can solve your organizational questions. An editor can guide you through the murky waters of modifiers and passive sentences, correct typos, and get your book manuscript polished and on its way to production.

Even if you slept through English class, never turned in book reports, and don’t know a thing about publishing the book of your dreams, your name is on the cover and you don’t want to be embarrassed. Turn your vulnerability into confidence with these insider secrets to publishing success when working with an editor.

No, this is not a grammar book (ick) or a guide to self-editing (can’t be done well). This is not a dry, boring book about usage or sentence structure.

Although the author, a veteran nonfiction editor, specializes in memoir, true crime, business/leadership, and self-help, her advice holds true for fiction writers as well.

Get your questions answered (and more):

Why do I need an editor? How do I find an editor? What do editors do? And how much do they cost?
What are the levels of edit? Developmental? Line edit? Copy edit? Proofreading? How do I know what level of editing my manuscript needs?
Will an editor tell me if my manuscript sucks?
Why do words make a difference? Which words do I overuse? Which words should I never use?
How do I know when I’m done writing?
How can I work with a cover designer and audiobook engineer?
Can my local bookstore help me? Do I need beta readers?

BONUS: Checklist for Authors to Fine-Tune a Manuscript before Editing Begins

BUY a copy today, because you need to know these insider secrets to happily work with an editor on your way to publishing success.

Print length

230 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 1, 2021
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.52 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1732640408
ISBN-13

978-1732640405
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Editorial Reviews

Review

What (Former) First-Time Authors Are Saying about Cover to Cover--

"The basic nuts and bolts of what every first-time writer needs to get their book ready. Simply a must-use resource--entertaining too. Sandy is a god." --Chris Meyer, Amazon best-selling author of The 'Wood, Life in 20 Lessons, The Book of Moments, and Four Months ... and a Lifetime

"New authors: Relax, read, and be empowered. Sandra Wendel's knowledge of the editing process, peppered with humor, straightens your publishing path. Irreverent at times, succinct, the guide any serious first-time author needs." --Barbara Lynn Vannoy, author of the award-winning The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other: A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows

"As a new author, working with Sandra as an editor was like taking a breath of fresh air. She guided me through the editing and publishing process to create a beautiful, award-winning book. Her frank and honest advice about preparing your book for editing and publishing will keep you moving forward in the right direction. Sandra shares details, secrets, and years of knowledge that will help new (and experienced) authors be successful." Sheryl Ness, author of Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savoring Life Through the Romance, Recipes, and Traditions of Italy

"When I was at this stage with my book, this would have been exactly what I needed. I searched for other resources but could not find anything as comprehensive as what Sandra's book delivers." --Dennis Geelen, author of The Zero In Formula

"This book is exactly what any author looking for an editor needs. If you want to produce a solid book, you need an editor. But how do you find an editor? What do you pay? What will they do for you? Sandy answers every question you have in this funny, straight to-the-point, quick, easy read packed with everything you need to find and build a solid relationship with your editor." --Jenny Kate, marketing expert, author of Social Media for Authors: Book Marketing for Authors Who'd Rather Write, and founder of Writer Nation, thewriternation.com

"I felt like I was talking to Sandra again in our first meeting (as I read this book). And having that conversation gave me comfort in what I was doing. She was honest, patient, and informative, yet direct and transparent, too, shown through her style, stories, and factual approach to editing." --Catherine Rymsha, EdD, author of The Leadership Decision, a lecturer on leadership at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a TEDx Talk: "Want to Become a Better Leader? Here's How. Just Listen"

"There are scores of books on writing and publishing, but Sandra Wendel cuts through the BS for first-time authors. Cover to Cover is a fantastic power tool for editing your book, and it's also a lot of fun to read." --Lisa Pelto, Founder & President, Concierge Publishing Services

"First-time authors need help, and this book explains, patiently, the many how-tos and don't-dos for aspiring authors to get their books from idea to reader. I applaud Sandra Wendel for creating a guide that so many of our authors need." --Michele DeFilippo, Owner, 1106 Design

GOLD WINNER, Nonfiction Authors Association (2021): "Sandra Wendel has created an author's handbook filled with editing and polishing steps every author can and should use--most especially before writing that first book. Cover to Cover explains the editing process, adds astute comments on the writing process, quickly and concisely answers the most common questions without ever talking down to the reader--and all laced with irreverent humor. A very useful, very readable book to add to reference book collections. Delightful!"

DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE (2021),Writing and Publishing, Independent Press Association

SILVER AWARD WINNER, Benjamin Franklin Awards, from the Independent Book Publishers Assocation (2022): Self-Help

SILVER AWARD WINNER, Benjamin Franklin Awards, from the Independent Book Publishers Assocation (2022): Writing and Publishing

About the Author

Sandra Wendel is a highly experienced book editor who specializes in helping authors write, polish, and publish their nonfiction manuscripts.

Her greatest joy in editing is working with authors who have a story to tell. She has worked with Holocaust survivors, a Secret Service agent, CEOs, a bank robber, entrepreneurs, an eighties rock groupie, a homicide detective, funeral home director, real estate agents, chefs, doctors, lawyers, and plenty of ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

She is a published author herself, sharing the authorship of two award-winning, empowering consumer health books with Edward T. Creagan, MD, a physician from Mayo Clinic (AskDoctorEd.com):

How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis
Farewell: Vital End-of-Life Questions with Candid Answers from a Leading Palliative and Hospice Physician

She also wrote a cookbook tribute to her grandmother: Chewish (Chewish.com).

Sandra teaches highly popular continuing education classes at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, called How to Write Your Book and How to Write Your Story (Memoir). She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, Nonfiction Authors Association, and reviews books under consideration for national book awards.

She kayaks on her little lake in Nebraska until it ices over in winter and often reads a book a day (something trashy or a legal thriller) for escape and tries not to notice poor punctuation and editing miscues.
Visit her website at SandraWendel.com. Email her at Sandra@SandraWendel.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Write On Ink Publishing (January 1, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 230 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1732640408
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1732640405
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.52 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #122,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Editing Writing Reference (Books)
- #120 in Authorship Reference
- #199 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 113 ratings

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Sandra Wendel

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandra Wendel is a highly experienced book editor who specializes in helping authors write, polish, and publish their nonfiction manuscripts. Thus the impetus for writing Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing, the first book in the First-Time Authors series she is developing. So far the book has won five industry awards for excellence.

Her greatest joy in editing is working with authors who have a story to tell. She has worked with Holocaust survivors (an honor and a privilege), a Secret Service agent, a bank robber, entrepreneurs, an eighties rock groupie, a homicide detective, a narcotics sergeant, a beat cop, funeral home director, real estate agents, doctors, lawyers, abused, military veterans, parents, therapists, a Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist, visionary, CEOs, coaches, Vegas party girl, historians, and even more fascinating ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

One of her authors asked her how many books she has edited. Hundreds, for sure, and perhaps well over a thousand. Her specialties include memoir, true crime, health and self-help, and business/leadership.

She shares the authorship of two award-winning, empowering consumer health books with Edward T. Creagan, MD, a physician from Mayo Clinic (www.AskDoctorEd.com): How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician’s Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis and Farewell: Vital End-of-Life Questions with Candid Answers from a Leading Palliative and Hospice Physician.

She also wrote a cookbook tribute to her grandmother: Chewish (www.Chewish.com).

Sandra teaches highly popular continuing education classes at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, called How to Write Your Book and How to Write Your Story (memoir). She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, Nonfiction Authors Association, and reviews books under consideration for NFAA and Eric Hoffer Awards. She blogs irregularly on Medium.com.

She kayaks on her little lake in Nebraska until it ices over in winter and often reads a book a day (something trashy or a legal thriller) for escape and tries not to notice poor punctuation and editing.

Visit her website at www.SandraWendel.com. Email her at Sandra@SandraWendel.com. Join the Facebook group at FirstTimeAuthorsClub.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

113 global ratings

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Amazon Customer

Practical Advice

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

Useful information on how to edit your manuscript before publication. The author recommends that a professional editor perform the final editing.

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023

Verified Purchase

For those new to publishing, this is a well-written and informative piece with useful tips and insights. I intend to continuously refer back to this book to ensure the best possible final draft before sending it to an editor. Thank you!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amy Spungen

This delightful guide takes the mystery and angst out of editing for newbie writers

Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2022

Verified Purchase

Sandra Wendel’s book Cover to Cover: What First-time Authors Need to Know about Editing should be required reading for editors as well as authors. Engaging, informative, and frequently funny, this delightful guide takes the mystery and angst out of editing for newbie writers. Wendel tells it straight, as when she says, “Contrary to popular belief, editors are not magicians. We cannot pull a best-selling book out of you.” She clearly describes what editing does and doesn’t do and how it works. She explains how to prepare a manuscript for an edit. And she provides an overview of the publishing world. Editors who read this book will glean helpful tips on how to work effectively with authors and can use Cover to Cover as an extended editing checklist. Perhaps Wendel’s most important message: if you write a book, you need an editor.

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ann P

Definitely a recommended read for any first-time author.

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

I picked up Sandra’s book as a first-time author looking for advice. Sandra’s book certainly delivered on this front— she has a no-nonsense writing style that she uses to deliver practical advice to any aspiring author in a way that is easy to understand, humorous, and she does it without any sugar-coating. The list at the end of her book is particularly helpful for catching common mistakes that we all make but don’t realize we will make. It was also a very quick read; I was able to finish it in just a weekend. Well worth my time!

After I read the book, I reached out to Sandra immediately to ask her to be my editor. I knew I wanted to work with her because her personality came through so clearly in her own book, and I knew she would help me make my book the best it could be.

Definitely a recommended read for any first-time author.

26 people found this helpful

Helpful

CM

Practical, funny, informative and highly readable

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2022

Verified Purchase

Even if you think you know a lot about editing and writing, this book will still fill in gaps in knowledge you did not know you had. A well-rounded read that I found richly informative AND entertaining. Lots of straight talk in here and smart how-to advice. Definitely recommend. I know I will be turning back to it again in the future as a reference guide.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

TX Utefan

Fantastic Resource for First-Time Authors

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

I don't generally write reviews online, but I felt compelled to do so here. I am a first-time author and Sandra Wendel's fantastic book, Cover to Cover, provided a wealth of knowledge on the world of editing and self-publishing. The book provides lots of information on the writing and publishing process as well as specific, actionable steps that you can take to improve your book and get it ready for editing and publishing. The style of writing and the tone of the book also kept me highly entertained.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

john h. wulsin Jr.

Cover-to-Cover is the straight-talking editors' equivalent of "Boot-Scoopin' Boogie"

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023

Verified Purchase

Sandra Wendel cuts to the chase. She does not waste words. In fact, she is such a seasoned master at helping words work as well as possible that her words work. She helps first-time writers to have the courage, the realistic clarity, and the good-natured confidence to walk the yellow brick road, through editing, toward publication without depending on the Wizard of Oz. The publishing landscape has changed, and we writers can navigate with new tools and good editors. One fine guide.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Frannie

Wish I read this years ago!

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

"Cover to Cover" welcomes you in, sits you down, and gives you all the straight-talk you need with lots of humor to make it go down easy. I didn't just value reading this book, I enjoyed it. I didn't just learn a lot, I laughed a lot too. Sandra Wendel knows her business and shares her wisdom well. I highly recommend this book if you are considering publishing your work!

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Typewriter

Excellent!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

I'm not a first time author but found this book to be beyond helpful and written in such a way that the complications and blurred lines between the different types of editing were made a whole lot clearer.

Tanuj Bhojwani

You won't know you needed it till you've read it

Reviewed in India on March 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

If you're writing a book, you know how isolating the process can be. For more reasons than one, it is a good idea to hire a professional editor. Reading Sandra's book will help you understand how the editor-author relationship works. It helps you understand what really happens in an edit, and how you can decide what you need.

The book answers questions you probably didn't know you had about the writing-editing-publishing-marketing process. As the title promises, it really is cover-to-cover.

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