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Book review: Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing 

Apr7

Periodically I share info about editing. It’s not cheap to have your manuscript edited so for indie-publishing it’s tempting to try and work around paying someone else to do it. Here is another source that doesn’t recommend doing that (and, of course, neither do I. And it’s not just because I am an editor. If you’re serious about making money on your book, you need to have an editor look at it).

As you may have read on this blog, I think you can avoid hiring a proofer if, if, if, if you get at least 3 people to proof your book, three people who haven’t read it yet. Three people who know basic grammar and punctuation. That may be a big IF for some. (For print, it has to be on the actual book – the ARC [Advanced Reader Copy] – because you need to have people make sure things like the headers and footer are correct and the text is formatted correctly [no widows or orphans – lines of text or words left at the top or bottom of a page).

Sandra Beckwith (great book-stuff blogger) reviews this book about editing by Sandra Wendel.

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If you question the need for a book editor, be sure to read my review of “Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing.”

Source: Book review: Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing – Build Book Buzz

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The Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Hiring, and Working with an Editor 

May17

Chantel Hamilton is an editor and guest writer on Jane Hamilton’s blog. Her post is a comprehensive discussion about book editing that I would recommend reading if you have any questions about editing. The only thing I disagree with is she says that other writers can not help you with your writing. I think maybe what she meant was other writers shouldn’t be asked to edit your manuscript.

Other writers can definitely help you with your writing. That called a critique group and critique groups can be very beneficial. But in a critique group, your fellow writers aren’t editing, per se. They may catch punctuation and grammar items but they are looking at your piece for the more obvious things: “This sentence confused me.”  “Above you have him in the hallway, now he appears in the bathroom. How did he get there?”  “Who is saying this?” “You changed POV here.” And they help keep you writing and praise you when you do something they enjoy – which is always nice :).

Granted, these are all things an editor may tell you, but an editor will go through your piece in more detail than a fellow writer. Editors also have a view of your whole piece in their mind. When they are reading chapter 10, they may think “Didn’t the author say this in chapter 2?” They may have to go back and confirm that, but even copyediting is not looking at just what is in the page in front of them; it’s keeping the whole piece in their mind to some degree.

And a writer might be able to edit your book, but most would not want to, even if you paid them. It takes a lot of time and effort to do that and most writers want to spend that time and effort editing (revision) their own stuff. Editors may also be writers (as I am), but an editor wants to edit. It’s their job, and if they are good, they enjoy it. And as Chantel mentions, editors have had training in the “rules” and are very familiar with the standard style guides (Chicago Manual of Style – CMS – and the Associated Press style guide – AP – are the two most common, though there are others).

Note: Even though Chantel defines 4 different types of editing, make sure you understand your editor’s definition of the type of edit they think (or you think) you need. There is some variation out there for these definitions. As long as you both understand what is going to happen, then you should be good to go.

p.s. I think most editors will do a sample copyedit for you for free. It won’t be a long edit, but enough to allow you to compare different editor’s styles. I recommend it when trying to whittle down your editor prospects.

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This post explains four critical types of book editing, why you need an editor, how to choose one, and what your editor can and cannot do.

Source: The Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Hiring, and Working with an Editor | Jane Friedman

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Peer Critique Versus Professional Editing: When, Why and How to Use Both | Jane Friedman

Mar29

Jane Friedman has answered some typical questions about who and when to have people read your manuscript before publishing.

I always encourage a writer, before they hand a manuscript off to anyone, to print out the piece on paper (or look at it on a different device e.g. a tablet vs a computer screen – it’s not quite a good as looking at it on paper but it does help make it appear different to your brain). Once you’ve got it on paper, read it out loud. These two things can greatly help you self-edit before you ask others to take their time to read your piece.

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Developmental editors, critique partners, sensitivity readers, friends—feedback comes from different people, for different reasons, at different times.

Source: Peer Critique Versus Professional Editing: When, Why and How to Use Both | Jane Friedman

Forging Sentence Ties That Bind – Editing Fun (?)

May29

This is one of the books that I use when I have a grammar or punctuation questions. You’d think grammar and punctuation are straightforward, but they are not.

Another great book I would recommend is “Woe Is I” by Patricia T. O’Conner. It’s easy to use and has great information.

If you want a good laugh (yes, grammar and punctuation can be funny), read “Eats, Shoots and Leaves” by Lynne Truss

And for good online assistance, the Purdue OWL is the best!

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Strong writing—writing that moves, directs, and connects people—conveys thoughts and ideas with clarity and efficiency. Badly placed words create vagueness and…

Source: Forging Sentence Ties That Bind – Grammar and Punctuation

How to Use Paragraph Breaks to Guide the Reader’s Experience 

Feb11

Always good information from Ms Weiland. Here is a recent post about how and why to use paragraph breaks. To help us all make reading an even more pleasant experience for the people we write for!

Enjoy!

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Writers must use paragraph breaks to direct a reader’s experience of the story’s action and pacing. Here are three guiding principles to keep in mind.

Source: Critique: How to Use Paragraph Breaks to Guide the Reader’s Experience – Helping Writers Become Authors

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Amazon is Cutting Services For Authors

Jan26

Prime Day dents sales at smaller retailers, local firm finds (copy) (copy) (copy)

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Amazon is cutting it’s editing, design and marketing services.

“After a thorough review of our service offerings, we’ve made the decision to discontinue Createspace’s paid professional editing, design and marketing services,” Amazon said in a statement. “We will work closely with impacted employees through this transition to help them find new roles within the company or assist them with pursuing opportunities outside the company.”

Here is a post by Thad Moore on The Post and Courior.

But never fear!!

There are many people out there like me, who work on a freelance basis and can help you edit and design and market your story. I’ve been a member and the Southcentral Wisconsin Chapter Coordinator of the Editoral Freelancers Association for many years now and they are a great group of professionals from across the US (and I think a few in other countries as well) that aim to provide quality services and have the authors interest at heart.

If you need any kind of editing, design or marketing services, walk, don’t run –

to their site and submit a job listing. You’ll get more responses then you’ll know what to do with. And I may just be one of them 😉  Or just contact me directly at christinekeleny@yahoo.com for a quote.

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Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

 

Hints For Working With An Editor

Dec15

eraser1Chelsey Clammer makes some good points about working with an editor. I especially like the “overcommunication” idea!

Works for me!

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/81-TheSubmission-WorkingWithEditors.html

Working With Beta Readers

Nov3

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Episode 5 of Mark Coker’s Apple Podcasts is about working with beta readers – A very important part of every writer’s process. Or it should be.

In this episode you’ll learn how to recruit beta readers, how to craft your questionnaire to collect the right feedback, and you’ll learn time-saving strategies to complete the round with minimal hassle.

Here are links to access the podcast:

Happy writing and editing!

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Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

3 Reasons Authors Need Style Sheets 

Jan25

Robin Rivera on writeonsisters discusses something that many authors are not even aware of – Style Sheets. Read her post and learn about something that can save you money and your editor time. In addition, it will make sure your story turns out the way you want it.

When I create a style sheet, I use excel. I have columns that list the various things I want the proofer or editor to know (depending on why I’m creating a style sheet): character names (in order of appearance), odd spellings and location names are a few of the typical things I note. I also note the style guide I am using to answer basic questions of comma usage and how to handle titles of things (books, movies, articles…). If I plan on going against a particular style guide rule, then I’ll note that as well, to save me a lot of time back what an editor might want to naturally correct. It is easy for me to cut and paste information from anything I am editing or writing into this document. And if I’m passing an edited manuscript onto a proofer, it saves a lot of time and headache for them and the author, as well.

They take a little time, but they are well worth it!

**Please read the Amazon notice in this post. It’s important information for every author publishing on kdp.Amazon!

3 Reasons Authors Need Style Sheets » WriteOnSisters.com

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Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality