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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What could I expect from using an editor? Should I use an editor?

Editors read the complete manuscript to understand the flow and intent of the work.
Then they read it through again, making corrections and/or recommendations under the following topics:

~ Punctuation
~ Spelling
~ Sentence structure
~ Story flow
~ Character development
~ Use of active voice vs. passive
~ Proper word usage
~ Clarity of meaning Subject/verb agreement
~ Overuse of words or characters
~ Redundancies
~ Verbosity

Following this, you should receive a comprehensive critique.This will suggest additions, deletions, changes in flow or tempo. These comments are usually summarized, both in the notations made on the manuscript itself and in the final report. As the author, of course, you have the right to accept or reject these suggestions. However, they are made by experienced editors whose concern is to give you the best possible chance to publish your work.

Can't I just rely on my Word Processing spell and grammar checker?

Your spell checker will not pick up on words that are spelled correctly, but used wrongly, for example it can't distinguish between "their" and "there". Although a grammar checker is a good starting point to detect obvious style flaws, such as repeated words in close proximity, and the passive voice, it will not recognise poorly flowing structure or confusing sentences.

Whenever possible you should get another person to read your work. They will quickly see errors that you have not spotted because you are too close to it. It also helps a great deal to read your work out loud, to notice clumsy wording or badly structured sentences.

Will a publisher publish my book?

Many publishers do not accept books submitted to them directly, but prefer to work through agents. Be sure to check with The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook or The Writers' Handbook to see which publishers may accept unsolicited manuscripts, or to see a list of agents. Make sure you use an up-tp-date version of these reference books: they are published annually. Do your research carefully, and do not send unsuitable work. It will not be read. If you want to publish poetry, for example, be certain that the agent or publisher does work with poetry.

Well edited and presented manuscripts have a much better chance of being read. Presentation is important. But persistence is everything!

Where can I get more help on how to publish my book?

These books are extremely helpful:

From Pitch to Publication, by Carole Blake. Pub: MacMillan. ISBN 0-333-71435

How To Market Books, by Alison Baverstock. Pub: Kogan Page. ISBN 0-7494-3105-9