Typos, Tears & Triumphs: Indie Author Survival Kit

So, you’ve wrestled your characters into submission, slain plot holes like a literary warrior, and finally typed The End. Time to hit “publish,” right?

WRONG. (Sorry, I love your enthusiasm.)

Indie authors are a rare breed—equal parts genius, chaos goblin, and caffeine addict. But even the best of us can be brought down by the tiniest enemy: the dreaded typo. One rogue comma, one awkward sentence, and suddenly your reader is side-eyeing your masterpiece like it’s a dodgy second-hand book off eBay.

Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

Here’s your Indie Author Survival Kit—a no-nonsense (okay, maybe a little nonsense) checklist before you send your book-baby out into the wild:

🛠️ 1. Spellcheck: Your Faithful Frenemy

Sure, spellcheck catches the obvious. But it’s also the tool that lets their slip through when you meant they’re, or lovingly corrects pubic when you meant public (awkward). Helpful? Yes. Foolproof? Definitely not.

👀 2. Beta Readers: Angels in Disguise

Find people who will tell you your MC is insufferable before your reviews do. Bonus points if they’re honest, love your genre, and aren’t afraid to hurt your feelings a tiny bit.

🔍 3. Proofreader: Your Secret Weapon

(Yes, hi 👋, it’s me.) A professional proofreader doesn’t just tidy up typos—they polish your prose until it shines. Indie authors wear all the hats, but sometimes it’s worth passing one over so you don’t accidentally publish something your future self will cringe at.

🗣️ 4. Read Aloud: Embarrassing but Brilliant

Your brain will skip over errors when you’re reading silently. But your ears? Oh, they’ll catch every weird phrasing and clunky sentence like a ninja. Bonus: You’ll feel wildly dramatic narrating your own book.

📚 5. The Patience Game: Wait Before You Hit Publish

I know, I know—you’re desperate to get your book out there. But give it a little breathing room. Fresh eyes (yours and others’) after a break can be game-changing. Trust me, your future reviews will thank you.

✨ Final Thoughts

Publishing a book is a MASSIVE achievement—whether it’s your first or your fiftieth. Take a moment to celebrate! But also… don’t let silly errors steal your thunder. Indie authors are taking over the publishing world, and your book deserves to stand proud (and typo-free) on the shelf.

Need a fresh pair of eyes? I’m here when you’re ready to level up your manuscript. 💫 Check out my proofreading services here.

Notebook and pen