I used to edit textbooks: not like novels, not editing for content. Just simple stuff like grammar, making sure edits haven’t made the end-of-chapter questions impossible to answer, stuff like that. Easy. It’s astounding how many aspects of book production authors are totally in the dark about. Seriously, pay a professional! You may know your subject better than anybody, but that doesn’t mean you know the book biz.
So good to read (and forward to some who need it) the role of the developmental or content editor. I am so grateful you reviewed my manuscript, cleaned it up, made such great suggestions and overall, made it so much better. Let's do it again.
I love this. It is indeed interesting (though sometimes distracting) to read a pleasure piece as an Editor. For a long time, I presumed I was somewhat immune to missing my own errors. Of course, I'm not. Even things like duplicate periods can escape my notice. The problem was in the quality of editing offered by strangers. Your attention to my work disabused me of that arrogance, and I am greatly indebted to you. I am even more grateful when I read such a piece written by you specifically on the subject of editing. I share your occasional disappointment with contemporary, mainstream books. I've also encountered many folks who claim to be "natural" editors. I confess, I was wary of your own claim at first. However, you have proved your credentials to me, and pieces like this continue to confirm that validation. In a field rife with "pretenders," you shine as the real thing. I feel very privileged to know you and include you as a friend.
This is why I am SO happy you are my editor! Like this change of words, "As they began to walk along together, it was as if a spell had been cast—he was transported." So much better. You can always take a messy sentence and make it sound good, as you did here. Also, the part about the parents talking about their kids as though it's exploratory surgery, you are right, an editor should have caught that. BTW, so glad i 'caught' you!
I used to edit textbooks: not like novels, not editing for content. Just simple stuff like grammar, making sure edits haven’t made the end-of-chapter questions impossible to answer, stuff like that. Easy. It’s astounding how many aspects of book production authors are totally in the dark about. Seriously, pay a professional! You may know your subject better than anybody, but that doesn’t mean you know the book biz.
Textbooks would be challenging in a different way, because you definitely don't want an error in a textbook!
So good to read (and forward to some who need it) the role of the developmental or content editor. I am so grateful you reviewed my manuscript, cleaned it up, made such great suggestions and overall, made it so much better. Let's do it again.
Ready when you are. Tag, you're it!
Oh that it were that close.
I love this. It is indeed interesting (though sometimes distracting) to read a pleasure piece as an Editor. For a long time, I presumed I was somewhat immune to missing my own errors. Of course, I'm not. Even things like duplicate periods can escape my notice. The problem was in the quality of editing offered by strangers. Your attention to my work disabused me of that arrogance, and I am greatly indebted to you. I am even more grateful when I read such a piece written by you specifically on the subject of editing. I share your occasional disappointment with contemporary, mainstream books. I've also encountered many folks who claim to be "natural" editors. I confess, I was wary of your own claim at first. However, you have proved your credentials to me, and pieces like this continue to confirm that validation. In a field rife with "pretenders," you shine as the real thing. I feel very privileged to know you and include you as a friend.
I'm thrilled to hear that Joel, truly.
So helpful, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
This is why I am SO happy you are my editor! Like this change of words, "As they began to walk along together, it was as if a spell had been cast—he was transported." So much better. You can always take a messy sentence and make it sound good, as you did here. Also, the part about the parents talking about their kids as though it's exploratory surgery, you are right, an editor should have caught that. BTW, so glad i 'caught' you!
Thanks for this and the restack. I'm glad too!