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Understanding Your Redlined Manuscript Using Microsoft Word’s Track Changes
You just received your edited manuscript. This is an awesome development, but it’s…well, it’s a mess. There’s red ink everywhere—electronic or otherwise. How do you sift through the sea of changes? Let’s talk about the format. If you’re looking at an edited hard copy of your manuscript, congratulations—you’re holding a rare bird. Your editor (hopefully)…
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Why Freelance Editors Decline Manuscripts
It’s one thing to receive a rejection from an agent or a publishing house—few writers win the publishing lottery immediately. Your prospective agent may have hit their quota for urban robot romance, or maybe they’re just not buying what you’re selling.[i] But rejection from a freelance editor can feel worse: what does it say about…
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What’s a “Reasonable” Rate?
When I quote on a project, I prefer to offer a total package price. It’s easier for me, and it reduces surprise fees for the writer. That’s why a large part of my quote is based on word count. However, I find that it’s easier to explain costs in terms of hourly fees. How come?…
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Ask an Editor: Should You Use the Same Editor for a Second Read?
If you make changes to an already edited and proofed piece, is it a good idea to go to a different editor for a final/second round of edits for the fresh eyes, or is it better to stick with someone who knows the work? It depends! How important is continuity to you? Smaller projects—essays, chapbooks,…
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Ask an Editor: Teaching Engineers, Content Editing, and Typos
Why is my supervisor asking me to teach the other engineers how to write? It’s a compliment! I’m guessing your supervisor recognizes you’re an effective communicator and that your touch translates to quality. Still curious? There’s no reason you can’t ask your supervisor to explain why your style works. When it comes to teaching, though,…
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The Importance and Limitations of Beta Readers
So you’re feeling good about your current draft. It’s shiny, you’ve corrected the most glaring goofs, and you’re ready to move forward. But before you make any big decisions, consider farming out to beta readers. A great beta reader can give you an early preview of how your intended audience might react to and evaluate…
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Ask An Editor: Kitty, Catty, Cater?
Kitty-corner/catty-corner. I know it’s regional. But a story I edited a few nights ago had cater-corner. Which is best? First, a disclaimer: I am neither a linguist nor a lexicographer—I’m just an editor who likes to understand where words come from and how best to use them. The short answer about kitty-cornered, cater-cornered, and catty-cornered…
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Ask an Editor: Punctuation with Parentheses
Every Friday I plan on answering a writing or editing question I've received via social media—or submission on this site. Today's topic? Those lovely curvy marks known as parentheses. Can you provide a refresher on how to handle punctuation with parentheses? Sure thing! Parentheses function like a stronger pair of commas—or em dashes—and set off…
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I left my heart in ACES2015
It’s 9:00 a.m., and I’m standing on a corner where two empty streets intersect. It’s clear and sunny, but the wind gnaws at the exposed skin below the knot of my scarf, and my hands are warmed only by a cup of coffee. There’s no hustle. Walk signals and stoplights cycle endlessly for non-existent traffic.…
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BuzzFeed, Editing Peeves, and Split Infinitives
What—editors have grammar and style peeves? You must be shocked. Emmy Favilla from BuzzFeed asked ACES2015 attendees to write down their editing peeves as they relate to grammar or usage and used them to create a whiteboard post. As you may suspect, she had an eager audience. Even I made it on there. I’ve got…
