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Why Perfectionism Is the Enemy of Good Writing (And What to Do Instead)
Perfectionism doesn't make your writing better — it stops you from finishing. Here's what 21 years in publishing taught me about quality, errors, and knowing when to call it done.
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Catherine Forrest
5 days ago10 min read


Proofreading for Authors: How to Proof Your Book Like a Pro
From PDF markup to EPUB errors: a complete proofreading guide for authors working with a pro or flying solo. Know what to catch before your book publishes.
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Catherine Forrest
5 days ago10 min read


4 Steps to Tackle Your Novel’s First Revision
Finished your first draft? Here's how to tackle your first revision efficiently—when to start, what to look for, and how to plan your attack.
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Catherine Forrest
5 days ago10 min read


How to Read Your Own Writing: 3 Self-Editing Strategies That Actually Work
Reading your own writing with a critical eye is one of the hardest things a writer has to do. These three self-editing strategies — scene-by-scene synopsis, backward reading, and reading aloud — help you create the distance you need to find what's not working at every level, from plot to prose.
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Catherine Forrest
Aug 277 min read


How to Format a Print Book Interior: A Self-Publishing Typesetting Guide
Formatting your own print book interior is doable if you know what decisions to make. This guide walks self-publishing authors through trim size, text block placement, gutter margins, running heads, folios, font selection, leading, chapter openers, and PDF file specs — everything needed to produce a press-ready interior file.
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Catherine Forrest
Aug 277 min read


Five Choices to Make Today for Writing Success
Being a great writer isn't about talent — it's about choices. Here's how reading widely, writing consistently, seeking feedback, and continuing your education will make you the writer you want to be.
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Catherine Forrest
Aug 129 min read


Identify Your Beta Readers
Your manuscript has bugs. Beta readers are how you find them before your readers do. Here's how to build the beta reading team that will actually make your book better—and who to use with caution.
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Catherine Forrest
Aug 710 min read


A Brush With the Slush Pile
The slush pile: where manuscripts go to be ignored by everyone except the lowest-paid person in the building. If you're querying, here's what's actually happening to your submission—and five ways to make sure it never hits slush in the first place.
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Catherine Forrest
Aug 710 min read


Why a printable on Etsy instead of a book on Amazon?
The flexibility is the value signal. Not the binding. You wondered: Aren’t you selling something less valuable by selling it as a PDF? No. I’m selling something more usable. More reusable. More flexible.
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Catherine Forrest
May 184 min read
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