tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post5270287484835555072..comments2024-01-28T04:42:49.700-08:00Comments on DIK (Desert Island Keepers): A Rant About Editing: Authors Should Revolt!!DIK Ladieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03975839058527201650noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post-5530803796374605352011-09-01T05:40:08.227-07:002011-09-01T05:40:08.227-07:00I totally agree that errors jump off the page for ...I totally agree that errors jump off the page for me as well. But as an editor, I take offense to the idea that <b>writers</b> should revolt. Unless that means they should start taking responsibility for their writing, I think this statement is aimed in the wrong direction. If the writer takes an active role in editing, he or she can ensure a clean manuscript. <br /><br />Some publishers have a better editing staff than others, that is true, but authors are ultimately responsible for their work and making sure it is polished before release.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04662191625818415126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post-62024402666305848412011-08-31T23:27:25.212-07:002011-08-31T23:27:25.212-07:00Often authors do revolt--against the editors, who ...Often authors do revolt--against the editors, who authors believe are killing their babies.<br /><br />Every day my colleagues and I deal with authors who insist that their words are too sacred to be changed, even if that means going to publication looking like a train wreck.<br /><br />I believe that writers should be responsible for much of their own editing. Self-editing goes a long way. If you're in the word business, there's no excuse for not knowing basic grammar or writing skills. Editors can only do so much. We're not allowed to rewrite bad books, and it's tough to polish a turd.<br /><br />Not that there aren't plenty of sloppy/lazy editors and copy editors. But I will say that they're rarer at the higher-paying houses. An editor or copy editor who's making minimum wage or less doesn't have much of a reason to work hard (and truly qualified editors rarely will work for that pay grade, so you end up with underqualified editors). There are exceptions, but the more you pay your editorial team, the better the product they can help you turn out.<br /><br />Authors do enough whining. I think the readers and editors should lead this particular revolt.JenBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07038255852917636476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post-75684855011024087022011-08-28T12:37:26.336-07:002011-08-28T12:37:26.336-07:00I'm like you, grammar and spelling errors lite...I'm like you, grammar and spelling errors literally jump out at me when I look at a page, even though I've never taught English or done any formal editing. I think part of the problem though, at least in some cases, is the authors themselves. Any author who publishes through the reputable publishing houses has a right to expect decent editing. However many of the self-pubbed authors don't even seem to realize that their writing is not grammatically correct. They could go out and get at least an independent copy editor, but they are so unschooled that they don't see the obvious mistakes and don't think they need to spend the extra money. <br /><br />The current glut of self-pubbed books is only contributing to a lowering of standards and it makes me sad. I've come to accept a certain amount of errors, but in some of these books, it's just egregious.JenMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08381388317577838604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post-4154836795378320572011-08-27T16:30:58.980-07:002011-08-27T16:30:58.980-07:00You are so right, Chris . . . it is a very complic...You are so right, Chris . . . it is a very complicated world and the relationship between authors and editors can be very difficult. But I think there are some standards that even need to be observed--just isn't fair to authors who do try to do well and for readers who deserve to be able to make sense out of books for which they pay a fair price.Dr Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06116344761479545032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8012664417591303836.post-13641430996295427522011-08-27T08:14:17.804-07:002011-08-27T08:14:17.804-07:00Sloppy editing drives me nuts, too. But it's c...Sloppy editing drives me nuts, too. But it's complicated - some books that appear to have come from a publisher are actually self-published, and no one other than the author edited the book. Some authors (I'm thinking of what I've been reading lately about Lora Leigh's latest few books) don't let anyone make changes to their books, or reject all the changes that are made. And some authors turn in books that are such a mess, they shouldn't go through the editorial process at all... but there's a deadline the publisher insists must be met...Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959009113795804133noreply@blogger.com