Your story, my support

Does the prospect of copyediting give you the shivers?

As if the process of writing a work of mystery fiction isn’t scary enough, every author who’s treading the shadowy path to publication will eventually come face to face with the specter of copyediting. Terrifying to new authors, nerve-wracking even for experienced ones.

Sometimes, authors imagine an editor driving a stake through the heart of their story or sucking the life out of their dialogue. They may have heard horror stories from writers who handed over their book baby and got it back in tatters. Naturally, they’re nervous about exposing their creative jugular to a book butcher.

Be brave, wordsmith. Believe in your story. Trust your copyeditor to be on your side.

Copyediting serves your story.

Any reader can give you a thumbs up or thumbs down. A copyeditor is a reader who sees the strengths in your manuscript and has the expertise to give you objective, constructive advice for improvement where it’s needed.

Their experienced eye spots the small things you missed while you were focused on the big picture of your plot. They bring spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting up to industry standards. They point out inconsistencies that could confuse the reader. They clear away the cobwebs of wordiness so your writing is able to shine.

By helping you improve the flow of your text, the copyeditor also serves the reader, allowing them to lose themselves in your story. My copyediting goal is to help you publish a mystery people won’t be able to put down. A great reader experience leads to positive reviews and recommendations that build your audience and increase sales.

You see? Not so scary after all.

TALKING BOOK PUBLISHING PODCAST

Enhancing Your Manuscript through Editing

Insights from Editor Lynn Varon

Join hosts Kathleen and Adanna for another insightful episode of Talking Book Publishing as they get into the nitty-gritty of manuscript editing with Lynn Varon, a seasoned editor. Lynn sheds light on common manuscript pitfalls while sharing her editing journey fueled by a lifelong passion for reading and a keen eye for good writing.

Exploring the editor’s role further, the three discuss the delicate balance between constructive criticism from your editor while preserving the writer’s vision and acknowledging the value of finding an editor who aligns with the author’s goals.