Should the blogger edit a guest post/interview?

[Lilian Cheng]

I'm planning to feature an author on my blog with an interview which I conducted via email. However, while I was proof-reading and formatting the post so that I can post it on the scheduled date, I found a few grammar errors.

Should I assume the proofreading/editor position and just correct them for the author? Or email the author back for her to correct them herself (which I'm afraid might sound rude, and be unnecessary)?

 

Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

[Paula McBride]

Speaking from an author's point of view, I'd much rather be told of any errors beforehand, but in a tactful way.

It's like being told in the rest room - of a fancy dinner function say - that your skirt is tucked up the back in your underwear. You'd be a bit embarrassed, but everso grateful someone told you before you went into the main room!

We all have strengths and weaknesses, for some it's gammar, that's why editors are out there! So I'm sure your author will be okay with it.

Paula

Children's author and illustrator at
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paula-McBride/e/B005IQ4UMA
www.tothewillowgarden.co.uk

[Alison M.]

I would email them back and say you found a few errors. Ask them if you can edit them or if they want you to send it back to they can fix it. I don't think they would be mad. It's better to fix it now!

[Joseph Arellano]

If it's your site, then it should be presumed that you have the right to edit/shorten/correct/revise anything submitted to you for publication.  However, it would be good to specifically note this on your Policies or website rules page.  Best, Joseph

http://josephsreviews.wordpress.com/

[Irina Shapiro]

Hi, Lilian.  You should probably contact the author and give him/her a chance to make their own corrections.  They might be annoyed if they read the interview and see that things were changed without their permission (even if the corrections were necessary). 

 

What genre do you normally deal with? 

Irina Shapiro

www.irinashapiro.com

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

[Ana M Torres]

I don't think either suggestion is wrong.  However as an author myself (Love Child A.M Torres) I do feel that it's crucial to always be careful of grammar errors as much as possible.  There will be times when the best editing may still not catch everything.  If you don't mind doing the corrections yourself then it's okay to fix it yourself, but if you want her to do it you can mention it to her in a way that won't sound petty.  For example you can email her and point out the errors, but you can explain how these errors can be received badly in other places she may consider in the future, and that wouldn't be far from the truth.  These would just be tips for her mainly and authors can always use those.  She should get in the habit of watching for these as much as possible.  As an author I would prefer to hear of my errors as much as possible while I'm in the position of doing so.    

[Roxanne Bland]

I don't mind bloggers editing my guest posts. I don't mind them emailing me and telling me about errors. No one's perfect, and bloggers may have different preferences in terms of style, etc. Space is also a consideration. I suppose my advice is to always read (or find out) the bloggers policies before you start writing.

[ManOfLaBook.com]

I would email back, it's the courteous thing to do.

It drives me nuts that we live in a society where we are so afraid to hurt someone's feelings that we do not say when something is wrong. Worst, we let the person look like an idiot.

I have been corrected on my blog posts/guest blogs I wrote and more and have always been appreciative.

<a href=http://www.ManOfLaBook.com>http://www.ManOfLaBook.com</a>;

[Kat @ Forever Book Lover ♥]

I agree, it may have been overlooked by the author and I would like to be told if it were me.  It could go something like this...

"Hi, thanks for the guest post, I can't wait to get it posted.  I noticed some grammatical errors, do I have your permission to make the necessary changes or would you like me to send it back for you to update?  Thanks again."

[Eugenia O'Neal]

As a writer, I'd like to be emailed about the problems and given the chance to correct them.  Alternatively, you can make the corrections and send it back to the writer, indicating that amendments were made and asking if they have any further changes they'd like to make before it's posted.

[alexia banks]

Love your site and am suitably impressed by your age and ambition! Congrats!

www.alexiabanksromance.com

[Patricia Gligor]

I've had that happen on my blog too. I went ahead and corrected the errors. Most writers are so busy these days, promoting their books online and off, participating in interviews and, oh yeah, writing, that there are bound to be some mistakes made along the way. I think the less made of it, the better. I certainly hope that, if I make mistakes, a considerate blogger will correct them for me.  :)