I need some help and advice, please!
The editing of my 1st book Give Me Forever didn't go well. To be perfectly honest, I did not have it professionally edited before putting it up for sale. I relied on myself and 3 beta's. (believe me, I know this was a HUGE mistake) After a few months, I was told about some issues with spelling errors, and grammar erorrs. I then tried to fix things by using "friends" who had editing experience go through the book. At this point I could not afford to hire an editor. Then, when there were still issues, I hired a couple of people to proof read, and copy edit. Things still slipped by! Obviously I was not working with the right people.
My book has gotten what I feel are really harmful reviews about editing. They are issues I can't argue with and want/need to rectify. Which brings me to my delima.
Thankfully I have found a real, professional editor that I feel really good about. I have started to get the ball rolling and a new, properly edited version of my book should be ready within a few months.
I think I should take Give Me Forever (my 1st novel) and Give Me Your Trust (2nd in the series, novelette) off the market. I think after Give Me Forever is in top shape, then I should rerelease them both. Is this a bad move? I just don't want to have anyone else spending money on a poorly edited book. Is this too late to rectify? I know those reviews will always be there, but I'm hopeful that after I rerelease it with a note about it being a new edited version, it won't be an issue.
Since all this has gone on I have taken a better look at my books as a whole. I feel like I've made more mistakes.
My novella, Give Me My Destiny should have never been part of the series I started. I had called it the 3rd book in my series but it really should be the 1st book in a spin off series. (1st 2 books focus on the vampires, 3rd book focuses on the witches, all in the same city) So, since that book only has 1 review (4 stars on Goodreads, no written review) and has only sold about 3 copies, I have pulled it from being for sale. I'm going to get rid of the secondary title (Paranormal City book 3) and rerelease it as the 1st of a new series. Am I crazy for doing this? Will this have any negative affect on me? I know the cover will have to be reworked but that's not an issue. Neither is changing things on my website.
I just feel I need to do an overhaul on things and get myself on the right track! I've been feeling just so sick over all of this! I feel like I can't just leave things the way they are.
The only good thing, and really the only reason why I'm not just giving up totally, is that I have been contacted by readers who really loved my story. I have gotten compliments on my writing and story lines. Even some of the people who gave my book 2 stars said it was just because of editing!
What would you do if you were me? I'm open to any advice.
Thanks!