Before literary works can be released to the general public, they have to go through a rigorous scrutiny process. Book copyediting is not as simple as it sounds. It requires a specific set of skills and is quite different from proofreading. The professional will look at grammar, spellings, syntax, and punctuation. They are known as publishing partners by people in the business.
Apart from grammar, spelling, and syntax, the step also involves a check for technicalities and possible story inconsistencies. There is a check for possible legal liability. For the non-fiction works, this step also ensures all facts in the work are correct and relevant. In traditional publishing, experts make sure that the work adheres to the current publishing standards. There is a need for diligent attention to detail and other special skills at this stage.
Before ever getting to this stage, the manuscript has to go through some prerequisite steps. These steps are meant to approve of the manuscript and story in general. This is like the first nod of approval. After passing this step, it is more probable than not that the work will go to print. It starts with a sort of general critique. Further down the line, there is a line by line critique. Lines may be moved and scenes amended.
Usually, in traditional printing the house will take care of these things for the writer. However, in self-publishing the writer is responsible for finding people to do these things. People who will do it well. Produce irreprehensible results. One may do it but there is a condition called typo blindness. This condition will prevent the writer from noting blatant mistakes. Mistakes that could turn a good story into a bad reader review catnip.
There are times when one is self-publishing and will, therefore, most probably be on a tight budget. Work has still got to get to the masses speck-free. One may then scrutinize their own manuscript in this instance. It has been done, simmer down. The key is to take a week-long or longer break from the script once complete. The mind will be fresh and it will be easier to notice errors. One may also print out the manuscript. It is said that on paper the errors will jump out at the reader than if it as on a screen.
Choose vivid action verbs in place of passive sentences. Reduce adjectives and adverbs by using descriptive language. If there is doubt about the meaning of a particular word, look it up and confirm.
Read the work aloud. Shorten sentences that seem like a mouthful. Correct those that feel awkward when reading aloud. The instinct is almost always right. Minimize emphases like italics and exclamation marks. This gives an amateurish feel to the literature.
Do not expect this stage to be simple or short. Some of the corrections will be simple. Others will be downright heartbreaking. Such is the life of a writer. Suck it up and let the process bear a ruby out of the rough.
Apart from grammar, spelling, and syntax, the step also involves a check for technicalities and possible story inconsistencies. There is a check for possible legal liability. For the non-fiction works, this step also ensures all facts in the work are correct and relevant. In traditional publishing, experts make sure that the work adheres to the current publishing standards. There is a need for diligent attention to detail and other special skills at this stage.
Before ever getting to this stage, the manuscript has to go through some prerequisite steps. These steps are meant to approve of the manuscript and story in general. This is like the first nod of approval. After passing this step, it is more probable than not that the work will go to print. It starts with a sort of general critique. Further down the line, there is a line by line critique. Lines may be moved and scenes amended.
Usually, in traditional printing the house will take care of these things for the writer. However, in self-publishing the writer is responsible for finding people to do these things. People who will do it well. Produce irreprehensible results. One may do it but there is a condition called typo blindness. This condition will prevent the writer from noting blatant mistakes. Mistakes that could turn a good story into a bad reader review catnip.
There are times when one is self-publishing and will, therefore, most probably be on a tight budget. Work has still got to get to the masses speck-free. One may then scrutinize their own manuscript in this instance. It has been done, simmer down. The key is to take a week-long or longer break from the script once complete. The mind will be fresh and it will be easier to notice errors. One may also print out the manuscript. It is said that on paper the errors will jump out at the reader than if it as on a screen.
Choose vivid action verbs in place of passive sentences. Reduce adjectives and adverbs by using descriptive language. If there is doubt about the meaning of a particular word, look it up and confirm.
Read the work aloud. Shorten sentences that seem like a mouthful. Correct those that feel awkward when reading aloud. The instinct is almost always right. Minimize emphases like italics and exclamation marks. This gives an amateurish feel to the literature.
Do not expect this stage to be simple or short. Some of the corrections will be simple. Others will be downright heartbreaking. Such is the life of a writer. Suck it up and let the process bear a ruby out of the rough.
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You can find complete details about the advantages you get when you use professional book copyediting services at http://www.hcnediting.com/services-and-fees right now.
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