My work is primarily traditionally published, and I’ve worked with a number of editors at several small, medium-sized and large publishing houses (think Random House, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Each editor has his/her/their way of working with an author. Over the years I’ve learned that if I can meet their needs a good portion of the time the whole process moves along pretty smoothly. Of course, there may be the unexpected catastrophe—an imprint folds, and editor leaves and your manuscript is … Read More »

We all want to write elegantly. That calls for tightening lines. One way to rid excess verbiage is to cut all unnecessary prepositions and prepositional phrases. I say unnecessary because, as writers, we are also concerned about how a line sings. Sometimes prepositional phrases are needed to keep a meter, portray the voice of a persona, or enhance the lilt of the line. Barring that, here are some ways to cut unnecessary prepositions and prepositional phrases. 6 Ways to rework … Read More »

I’ve seen the question posed (in various forms) on social media sites that writers frequent. “I just finished writing my story. Can I send it ‘as is’ to my editor?” Or it might be something like, “How much editing do I need to do before I send my story to beta readers?” A writer may consider the story done when the last sentence is typed, but let’s explore some practical, cost-saving steps that are worth taking before handing off a … Read More »

There is so much satisfaction in typing the words “The End.” And yet, “The End” is actually a beginning. Great works of literature don’t happen by magic. They are created by revision. Revision is a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be a chaotic process. Mastering a method to the madness of revision will help you streamline your process and get great results. Step One: Let it Rest The first thing you should do is nothing at all. … Read More »

Whether you’re an indie author or shopping your work to agents, there’s no better investment you can make in your manuscript than to spring for professional editing. I don’t mean a do-it-yourself program that hunts out verb and subject agreement. I mean real, live editors—people who have spent their careers reading books, especially in your genre, and who know the English language cold, including all the slippery areas that change from generation to generation. Who can bring a fresh and … Read More »

Have you heard the one about the editor who walks into a room full of writers? Editor says, “Does anybody need an editor?” Nobody answers. Haha. But That Would Never Happen, Would It? That actually happened to me when I was an editor in a newsroom and our computer network went down. Folks could write and print, but not share. So, I walked around the room asking that question. And getting that response. But here’s the truth, and don’t stop … Read More »