Finding a proofreader/editor

[Irina Shapiro]

Can anyone recommend a proofreader/edior that they have used?  How safe is it to just forward your Word document to a person you don't know for proofing?  Since this is your intellectual property should they have to sign some sort of agreement?

 

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

 

[Irina Shapiro]

Hi, Jeanette. 

I've never actually thought of looking for someone on FB.  I thought it would be better if someone recommended someone.  I will definately take a look.

 

Irina

Here is my FB page.  let's exchange "likes".

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[Penny Freeman]

It's important to realize the difference between a proofreader and an editor.  Both are equally important, but both do different things.  A proofreader's job is to make sure that all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, that your formatting lines up and all the little technical details work.  However, an editor's job is to help you improve your writing and make your book marketable.  That may be as simple as suggesting cuts here and there, or coaching you through a rewrite.  I understand that a particularly popular and lucrative author of a YA vampire story really didn't know much about writing at all, but because she had an editor with vision who was willing to walk her through the rewrite process, she became a smash success.  The point of all this is, know who you are hiring and what to expect from them.  An editor is the big picture, so it's not really surprising that they might miss the typos.

Also, I followed your Facebook page.  You can find all the ways to follow me at http://about.me/pennyfreeman

[Irina Shapiro]

Thank you, Penny.  That makes perfect sense.  Thank you for following me.  I will follow you ASAP.

[Roxanne Bland]

If you're interested, you might try Ally Peltier of http://www.ambitiousenterprises.com. I've used her in the past and she's very, very good. 

Her experience includes a stint with Simon and Schuster, among other things. I like her contracts, too. Very clear and to the point.

[Irina Shapiro]

Tahnk you, Roxanne.  I will definately check her out. 

[Eunice Nisbett]

Irina

I have been in contact with this person, although I have not yet used her services. However she came in highly rated by a number of users in a Linkedin Group; she is also an author. Here is her website, if you like what you see on her site and need her contact details, I will send it privately:

http://www.woolyswagon.com

PS Would love to connect with you if you are at the stage where you need proofreading services only.

Best.

[Irina Shapiro]

Thank you.  Are you a proofreader?  I am actually trying someone out that came highly recommended.  Will report back on how well she did.  So far, she has asked me some very pertinent questions and pointed out some things that never occured to me.  Looking forward to recieving the corrected manuscript.

Irina

 

[Eunice Nisbett]

Yes, I am; and that's fine. However, please do not skimp on your editing, as that requires someone trained in that area and it is very important!

I have been sharing a link to a valuable free teleseminar which highlights some of the mistakes authors make and how to avoid them. I am sending you to the registration page, via my Savvy Book Marketing blog so you can also experience my writing and blog.

http://www.savvyvirtuals.co/bookmarketing/replay-available-10-thing...

Best.

[Irina Shapiro]

May I ask you a question?  What is the rule for putting commas in front of "and"?  I was always taught that no comma was needed, but I know that the rules have changed.

 

Thank you.

Irina

[Eunice Nisbett]

Hi Irina

According to the Chicago Manual of Style:

1.   When and joins the last two elements in a series of three or more, a comma -- known as the serial or series comma -- should appear before the conjunction. If the last element consists of a pair joined by and, the pair should still be preceded by a serial comma and the first and.

For example:

• She took a photograph of her parents, the president, and the vice president.
• John was singing, Jean was playing guitar, and Alan was running errands and furnishing food.

2.  When independent clauses are joined by and, but, or, so, yet, or any other conjunction, a comma usually precedes the conjunction. If the clauses are very short and closely connected, the comma may be omitted unless the clauses are part of a series.

For example: 

[Irina started writing 15 years ago], and [Today she is a bestselling author].

  but

Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

 (An independent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a sentence. Examples set out above in squared brackets)

 

Note

• In a series whose elements are all joined by conjunctions, no commas are needed unless the elements are long and delimiters would be helpful.
• When an ampersand is used instead of the word and the serial comma is omitted.

Hope this helps.

Eunice

[Irina Shapiro]

Thank you very much.  It does help.  I looked it up online, but was a little confused.  The examples make it clearer.