Thursday, October 14, 2010

One of the biggest complaints reported by e-book readers is poor grammar usage.  Although the occasional mistake is understandable, some readers are often left wondering if their e-book author even read their own e-book.  Do not let yourself be one of those authors.  You need to thoroughly proofread and spell check your e-book before offering it for sale.  

When it comes to proofreading, there are often two sets of writers.  Many automatically know the importance of proofreading and spell checking.  However, there are others who have the why bother mentality.  If you are wondering why it is important to proofread and spell check, you need to familiarize yourself with the importance of proofreading.  Of course, proofreading allows you to catch any mistakes that you may have made.  It also
allows you to make sure that you didn’t leave out anything important.  Proofreading also enables you to make sure that your e-book flows together perfectly.  

Perhaps, the most important purpose of proofreading is to create a high quality product.  Even if you are able to produce an e-book on one of the “hottest” topics or subjects around, it won’t really do you any good if your e-book is hard or difficult to read. In fact, that is why there is often a direct connection between proofreading and e-book sales.  Proofreading, especially multiple times, may be considered time consuming, but it will help you in the end.  It is known fact that interesting and properly written e-books sell for more than those that are just
interesting. 

Since proofreading is vital to the success of your e-book, you are advised to make sure that you do it.  In fact, do you know that you have a number of different options? The most chosen option involves self-proofreading.  Self-proofreading is defined as proofreading your own content.  When doing your own
proofreading, it is best that you wait until your e-book as been finished.  You will also want to make sure that you proofread multiple times. In most cases, once is not enough to catch all of your errors.  A good rule to follow is if you don’t understand what you wrote; your readers probably won’t be able
to understand it either.

A large number of authors, including e-book authors, are able to successfully proofread and spell check their own articles, but there are also a number of those who have a difficult time doing so.  With something as important as an e-book that will be available for sale online, you may want to think about hiring a professional proofreader.  Professional proofreaders are also known as editors.  What is nice about hiring a professional
proofreader or editor is that many not only have experience, but they also have a degree to back it up.  Having a professional proofreader or editor will increase your chances of having your
mistakes found and corrected.

As nice as it is to hire a professional proofreader or editor, you need to have money to do so.  While it is possible to find an affordable editor, you may not have the funds needed to do
so.  If that is the case, you are advised to look for individuals who will do your proofreading or editing for you, free of charge.  Your best chance of success, with this approach, involves talking to those that you know.  You may also be able to work out an arrangement with another writer.  If you offer to proofread one of their e-books or a collection of their articles, they may do the same for you. When taking the free proofreading approach, you are advised to try and get someone who may have some writing and editing experience, even if they are not considered an expert.  

Whether you choose to do your own proofreading, have a friend look at your e-book for you, or hire a professional editor, you are urged to proofread.  Proofreading and whether or not it is done may have a direct impact on whether or not you e-book is a successful seller.