A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT
What if you could build a powerful editing process for your novel without spending thousands of dollars on professional editing?
In this episode, I break down what I call my “Edit Stack”—the layered system I use to catch typos, grammar problems, continuity issues, awkward passages, and other mistakes before a book goes out into the world.
The key is not relying on one tool, one editor, or one pass. I use multiple layers: built-in spellcheck, ProWritingAid, AI-assisted proofreading, repeated manuscript passes, trusted human readers, and good old-fashioned human judgment.
I’ll show you how I use each layer, why I never blindly accept an AI or editor suggestion, how my street team helps me catch errors I missed, and why reading your work aloud can reveal problems your brain simply refuses to see on the page.
And here’s the bigger point: even traditionally published books from bestselling authors still contain mistakes. Perfection may not be possible. But a smart editing system can get your manuscript remarkably clean—and indie authors have the advantage of being able to fix errors quickly after publication.
If you’re a writer trying to produce cleaner, more professional books without draining your publishing budget, build yourself an edit stack.
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TIMECODES:
00:00 What is an Edit Stack?
00:46 Layer 1: Spellcheck and ProWritingAid
01:54 Layer 2: Using AI to proofread your writing
02:46 Additional proofreading layers
03:16 Grammarly and optional editing tools
04:22 Using ARC readers and a street team
04:56 How I collect and evaluate reader corrections
06:29 Proofreading vs. developmental editing
07:03 Trusted readers vs. developmental editors
07:47 Why reading your manuscript aloud works
09:00 Creating distance from your writing
09:51 Why I rewrite the previous day’s work
10:47 Why you’ll probably never catch every typo
11:59 The indie author advantage
13:09 Updating ebooks and print editions strategically
13:43 The complete J. Kevin Tumlinson Edit Stack
FIND KEVIN:
Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com
Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com
Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com
SERVICES FOR AUTHORS:
Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWriting Aid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5
Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger
Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com
If you’re a writer, author, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to build a sustainable career around your work, subscribe to the Wordslinger channel. This is where we talk honestly about writing better books, publishing them professionally, reaching more readers, building your author business, and creating a career that lasts.
Subscribe, leave a comment with your writing or publishing questions, and tell me what you use in your own editing stack.
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