A “How To” Guide for the Prospective Writer – Step Ten on the Writing Journey
- Brainz Magazine
- Nov 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Written by Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
Melissa Velasco is an Indie author with a quick wit, edgy writing style, and bold willingness to take a flying leap into the unknown. She is the author of the Hollywood High Chronicles book series, a metaphysical thriller deep dive into the trials of a pack of metaphysically charged teen misfits growing up in gritty 1990s Hollywood.
If you’re just tuning in to the “How To” Guide for the Prospective Writer, then you have nine steps to go, because we’re almost done! Here we are! Step ten! Are you ready for the galley copy? Are you asking, “What’s a galley copy?” This is what you’ve been waiting for! A galley copy is the very first print of your book, hot off the press. Here’s how you get one of these magical prizes.
Choosing your writing publishing house
It’s time to upload your book to your chosen publishing house. There are many great choices. I enlisted the services of IngramSpark and have been pleased with this publishing house. With that said, everyone has different needs. Search amenities, prices, and services offered by different publishing houses to see what’s best for you. Here are some important variables to consider:
Cover finishes.
Paper weight.
Shipping prices.
Shipping timelines.
Customer service contact methods.
Revision upload pricing.
Once you’ve chosen your publishing house, it’s time to upload your book. Follow the steps. The publishing house will have a process regarding distribution, ISBN acquisition, and publication date. Once you’ve set your parameters and uploaded, it’s time to order your galley copy. I always pay extra for the quick shipping and processing, because this moment is the most exciting part of the whole process, in my experience.
The galley copy final check
Now that you’ve received your galley copy, there’s work to do, but first, hold the package in your hands. Don’t open it yet. Take a moment, and a deep breath, because this isn’t a moment to be rushed. You’re about to see the culmination of your dream and hard work. Let your heart pound for a second. A little dramatic pause is warranted. You’ve put so much into this book-writing process, and this is a very big deal.
Open the package. There it is. Your book. Soak in every square inch of the cover. Test the weight of the book. Flip through the pages with a rapid fan through. Read the back cover three times. Clutch it in disbelief. These are all important parts of the process.
Now, call your spouse, family, best friend, or closest confidant, and schedule dinner. You’ve earned a celebration. Take the book with you and get celebratory pictures with it. (You’ll need postable content. We’ll get to that on the next, and last, article in the series, though.)
Now that the shock and celebration are handled, it’s time for the galley check!
You need to look at every single word. The cover, credits, dedication, every sentence of your story, the special thanks, author bio, spine, and back cover. Top to bottom, front to back, you must double-check your work. Every book has errors. The goal is to catch as many as possible before your publication date. Once your book is released to the public, it’s out there. You can always do a revision, but eliminating as many issues as possible is imperative, and now is the time.
Revise your book, fixing any issues that you found, and upload your final revised file to the publisher.
This prepares you for the next phase, Fear of Publication and the Marketing Grind. Otherwise known as, you did it! Well, you did that part of it. There’s a whole new layer coming. Marketing is magic, and a grind. It’ll keep you busy, though.
Read more from Melissa Velasco
Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
With a quick wit, often edgy mouth, and loud laugh, Melissa exuberantly embraces life. Melissa Velasco is a true explorer of the arts. With a well-rounded background as a choreographer, professor, dance teacher, stage manager, and author, she thrives in creation. At her core, she believes that the arts save lives and provide a route for passion and connection. With five books currently published from her Hollywood High Chronicles metaphysical thriller book series, Melissa Velasco is an accomplished Indie writer.
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