Proofreading and editing manuscripts

It is easy to pluck a book off the shelf, open it and assume they are easy to write. It actually is not as easy as it looks! Book texts are like railway lines: Sprawling and vulnerable. In a book manuscript's case, they are vulnerable to run-on sentences, superfluous words, grammar mix-ups, plot holes (in novels), weak story structure (again in novels) and other things.  

They are especially vulnerable if an author is hasty to complete the book (or eBook) in question. Editors easily reject poorly written manuscripts when they are pulled out of the ol’ slush pile. If an author self-publishes a book riddled with flaws, potential readers will not plunk down money after previewing it. This is where editing and proofreading come in handy.

Editing covers the removal of needless words and text; proofreading covers grammar, plot holes and story structure. They both are easily done in tandem. However, they are hard to do if you go at it alone on a book-length document. This writer has learned the hard way that one pair of eyes alone are not enough. Typos kept being elusive no matter how many times the manuscript was checked. Having another pair or eyes or two -be they unpaid or volunteer- is always wise.

Having a writing style manual handy is also a good editing and proofreading tool to have. The most universal of them is The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White. Their rules of composition are hard to beat. There is also the Chicago, AP and other manuals of style available for reference. They do not eliminate the need for extra eyes on your manuscript, but it will make the work of others easier.  

Readers like book texts that are crisp, easy reads. By thoroughly editing and proofreading your dream book, you will save yourself many needless headaches.

Photo by Richard H.