Some authors are still confused as to when they should hire a proofreader and when they need an editor. And I think, in some cases, it is because they are simply trying to save money. <\/p>\n
They seek out a proofreader and hope that this person will simply read through the manuscript quickly, correct any blatant errors and charge only a few hundred bucks. Some authors avoid going the editing route because they\u2019re terrified that the editor might change their \u201cvoice.\u201d Others do not understand how many errors they actually have throughout their manuscripts and how much a good book editor could improve their work. They are not good enough writers to recognize their mistakes. They don\u2019t notice when the tense is off or when there are inconsistencies in their stories. They don\u2019t know the appropriate punctuation for dialog. They are not sure how to use the apostrophe or quotation marks. <\/p>\n
Most authors, even when they decide to take on the task of self-editing, do not study and use the Chicago Manual of Style.<\/em> They simply adopt their own rules of grammar and punctuation. Some are so unsure of the rules, that they are inconsistent throughout their manuscripts\u2014using the apostrophe correctly sometimes and not others, using numerals correctly sometimes and not others, etc. Sometimes there are even inconsistencies in their story\u2014which is a good way to lose credibility with your audience. An example of this would be that Bob has blonde hair in one chapter and brown in another or his ribs show in one scene and he is hefty in another. Seems elementary, but I see this often.<\/p>\n Is your book truly ready for your audience? Can you\u2014the author\u2014actually edit your own manuscript adequately for publication? In most cases, the answer is, \u201cNO.\u201d <\/p>\n I have seen numbers of finished manuscripts. Sometimes the author asks me to edit it and sometimes the editing needed is extensive. Some authors hand over their manuscripts for proofreading only. I always wonder what they expect. Usually, they say, \u201cI have edited it. Would you proofread it and make sure it is ready to go?\u201d However, nine times out of ten, the manuscript needs more than a quick proofing. There are numerous inconsistencies, typos, punctuation and grammatical errors and even difficulty with run-on and muddy sentences.<\/p>\n When someone asks me to proof their manuscript, I will let them know what that manuscript needs, how long it will take me and what I will charge. When they ask me to edit their manuscript, I will let them know what that manuscript needs, how long it will take me and what I will charge. <\/p>\n In other words, if the author believes it needs proofing, I will proof it\u2014making changes and corrections along the way. If they ask for editing, I will proof it\u2014making changes and corrections along the way. <\/p>\n Yes, you read right. There is no difference in the way I approach the manuscript. It is going to get what it needs, whether it is extensive or minor editing.<\/p>\n My goal should be the goal of the author\u2014to make the manuscript the best it can be. For me this means taking your story or nonfiction manuscript and making it more readable while correcting errors. This does not mean rushing past errors and calling it \u201cproofing.\u201d This does not mean changing your story one iota, unless it is in the form of a suggestion that you change something in order to make your story more believable, for example, or showing you how to create more interest for the reader. <\/p>\n Does your manuscript need editing or proofing? Let me take a look and give you a FREE evaluation and estimate. PLFry620@yahoo.com<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> Some authors are still confused as to when they should hire a proofreader and when they need an editor. And I think, in some cases, it is because they are simply trying to save money. They seek out a proofreader and hope that this person will simply read through the manuscript quickly, correct any blatant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"