Thanks to several writers conferences where I had the fortune and pleasure to meet literary agents and publishing house editors, I gleaned some helpful advice for how authors can determine if they are truly ready to move forward with their book baby:

1. After completed draft of your manuscript, put it down, put it away, do not, DO NOT start editing, DO NOT start querying, DO NOT DO ANYTHING regarding your manuscript for a few days or even weeks. Clear your head. Step back from the story so when you approach it again, you have fresh eyes to see the story better.
2. Then you can begin editing/revising. (I'll save another day to go into common issues to look for and how to address them)
3. Once you've edited and cannot possibly go any further editing/revising, find one or two critique partners who you trust to give you HONEST feedback. Too often we choose crit partners who only give us positive feedback (what we want to see). For the benefit of your novel, make sure your crit partners are TOUGH and not afraid to tell you like it is. ANOTHER way is to get a professional editor to conduct a manuscript evaluation.
4. In relation to step #3, develop a thick skin and never take constructive feedback as a ding on you personally.
5. Once you get feedback on your draft, look over the comments and walk away for a few days. Consider the feedback without taking immediate action.
6. When you come back, truly evaluate if the recommendations align with your intention for the story. Only then make revisions. You are the author. Only you are 100% in sync with your story so some suggestions from outsiders may be well-intentioned but will pull you away from your intention. Other suggestions may be spot-on but you may not want to hear it because it may mean more work. If you can read the recommendations and nod your head (easy or not), make the change. If not, you are free to pass.
7. Make changes; set aside. Read through. Identify other necessary edits. OR seek out a developmental editor to help with this phase.
8. Make those changes. Set aside.
9. Time to let go again and seek a good beta reader. Beta readers give you feedback from the perspective of our most important person... the reader - someone (you hope) will pick up your book and buy it, read it, review it. Give beta readers some guidance on what questions you'd like answered so they don't just reply with "Loved it."
10. Same steps here as above after you received crit partner feedback. Incorporate appropriate feedback.
11. Set aside. Read through again. Maybe consider a copy editor if your eyes are bleeding from reading the same manuscript a dozen times.
12. Go through the manuscript looking for all the nitty-gritty details. That includes the pesky SPAG (spelling punctuation, and grammar). Need help? A professional proofreader is a wonderful idea at this stage.
13. Check your manuscript is properly formatted (according to industry or specific literary agent guidelines - some agents are incredibly picky so check their websites for information).
14. Check and double-check literary agents/publishers manuscript wish lists and formatting guidance and how they prefer to be queried. OR if you're self-publishing, it's time to upload your manuscript and schedule a release date!

Good luck, my friends!

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And if you need any help or advice along the way, email me by replying to this email or check out my website www.bookmageediting.com