Books I have found helpful:

Screenplay by Syd Field

– This book will explain how to construct your plot (yes, just like a screenplay). You will learn what it takes to keep a plot moving throughout the entire story.

Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon

– This book explains how to make a plot believable with characters who make sense. Excellent for learning more about both characterization and plot development.

Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham

– In this book, Bickham describes how “scenes” and “sequels” follow each other and what is required to create a scene that belongs in your book.

Getting the Words Right (second edition) by Theodore A. Rees Cheney

– An excellent book about reducing, rearranging, and rewording in order to polish your work

Where to go from here:

You have completed the last edit of your manuscript and you are interested in publishing it independently. You only need two more things:

1. Cover art – few, if any, retailers will accept a book without a book cover

1. Formatting – you will need your manuscript converted into a file type readable by your retailer, or formatted into a specific Word format

My recommendation for both these services is Covers by Karen