It’s a sunny fall Saturday afternoon, and I’m sitting in my house editing my best-selling crossword puzzle book. Why? Because oh boy — it needs edits! So I thought sharing my editing grind would be fun, and figured it’s what every new KDP author needed to hear since I wish I could go back and edit more before publishing!
I’m flipping through the physical copy I created for free in Book Bolt, jotting down richer content ideas, and reviewing any potential mistakes — there are a few! While I still love the cover I designed, the crossword generator I used gave me a few less-than-stellar clues and didn’t always spit out the right information for the context of my crossword puzzle. Now, after being published for about three weeks, I’m implementing the changes that will take this book from being my best-seller to hopefully becoming a best-seller on Amazon.ca.
I’ll also be updating the Amazon listing to express that its been revised as well.
It’s one of the more demanding parts of being a KDP self-publisher — but it’s also one of the most important. And yes, I still fully believe that KDP can be a true source of passive income. But that “passive” part only happens after the groundwork (and editing!) is done.
The Importance of Editing
Sure, I could leave the first edition up (or second — yes, I’m on my third round of editing 😅). It’s been selling regardless, and at a glance, it looks like a great product. But deep down, I know it isn’t quite there yet. And truly, I want to be proud of what I put out there.
Once I realized there were a few repetitive words and weaker clues, I had that gut feeling every creator knows — the one that says, “You can make this better.” I reminded myself that I was such a newb to this when I created the first version. So, I gave myself some grace… but I also knew I needed to raise the bar if I wanted my book to stand out more.
Because here’s the truth:
- Editing builds trust. Having a polished book shows readers you care about their experience. You don’t want to settle with a mediocre product and review less than stellar reviews because you didn’t take the time to edit and care enough about your product.
- Editing improves clarity and flow. Even small adjustments — fixing wording, improving formatting, or tightening up clues — make the book more enjoyable, and can also look more humanized if you’re using an AI program to create the crossword puzzle. It’s so good going back and adding your own touches.
- Editing boosts your reviews. Readers are more likely to leave positive feedback when the book feels intentional, error-free, and fun. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but I want to receive positive reviews on this product! It’s important to me and it will feel so good getting that first 5-star review!
- Editing increases long-term success. First impressions matter. A better-quality book earns organic recommendations and word-of-mouth sales. This is my current lesson — did I put this out to quick without editing enough? Maybe. Again, I was such a newb, so I’m going with the flow now and hoping the new editing will bring that long-term success.
- Editing helps you grow as a creator. Each revision teaches you something new about design, layout, and how to connect with your audience. The more I edit, the more capable I’m feeling about putting a good product together, one that reaches the target audience and helps me grow and create more books.
Ultimately, that’s why I’m doing this. I don’t just want to sell books — I want to create something I’m proud of, something that makes people smile, think, and learn a few fun Canadian facts along the way.
And when the reviews finally reflect that effort — when someone writes, “This was so much fun to do!” — that’s the real reward.
Final Thoughts
Editing isn’t the glamorous side of KDP self-publishing — but it’s where the real growth happens. It’s where your vision meets reality, where you learn what works and what doesn’t, and where you turn a good idea into a great product.
If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to revisit your books, make improvements, and re-release updated versions. Every tweak, fix, and thoughtful change is a step toward building your reputation as a professional creator.
At the end of the day, the best-selling books on Amazon aren’t always the ones made the fastest — they’re the ones made with care.