I am back from a long hiatus, so I am reintroducing my latest book in my HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers. It often surprises us writers but editing (indeed, grammar!) is not static. There was much to do to just update the second edition of The Frugal Editor the third edition and there is much to do to convince all authors that it is not only the indie published authors among us who must know editing (and more!) that we assume our publishers will take care of. Keep reading if you think I’ve lost my marbles! (-:
It was a huge task, I am telling subscribers and visitors to this blog now is the time to get with it. Why? Because it won’t be long before my next book will be released also from Victor Volkman's Modern History Press.
Soooo, here's why many authors who loved the first and second edition will want to read this one--all the new stuff. It includes why the traditionally published need it too. Oh, an see the PS: after you’ve read this. It includes “don’t miss” #FrugalBookPromoterTips you won’t want to miss! ~ CHJ
Why a Third Edition of The Frugal Editor?
It surprises people when they learn that grammar rules change over time. Or that what they learned in high school or advanced grammar classes in college is either passé or may not apply to fiction. It also surprises them to learn that a perfectly edited book is never perfect because there are always so many disagreements among experts. And even experts are often misinformed. The worlds of grammar and style choices are filled with myths and misinformation like, “Never use contractions in your writing,” “Never use fragments,” and “Never end a sentence with a preposition.” Further, as my client base grew, I kept running into common misconceptions and outright annoying style choices that would never fly in the publishing world. Thus, a new edition of The Frugal Editor was a must! So here is what is new:
· The Third Edition has been reorganized and my publisher tells me I outdid myself with about 50% new (helpful!) material including new “Editor’s Extras” based on my own school of hard knocks!
· Authors will love the all-new sections including:
o Beta readers and peer reviewers
o What you probably don’t know about custom dictionaries
o Up-to-date rules for accommodating gender-specific and other cultural needs
o A chapter for word-lovers and poets
o Quickie reviews of word processors for you
o What even traditionally accepted front and back matter can do for your book sales, your career, and your readers
o Political Correctness considerations change and grow with each passing day. So, yes! Lots of updating here!
· The Third Edition of The Frugal Editor still includes the basics that make you into an on-your-own editor when you must be. Few writers other than Stephen King can afford to hire an editor for every query letter, every media release, every media kit, every blog post. So until your career is so star-studded you can afford a publicist and editor on a retainer basis, writers need to know both the basics of editing and the little-known secrets.
· The third edition is still loaded with reader favorites like what authors need to know about book covers—but it’s updated!
· New information will dispel myths like these:
o Agents are a cantankerous lot. (Nope! In The Frugal Editor, twenty-one of the nation's best tell you their pet peeves and they do it in the best of spirits.)
o If your English teacher told you something is OK, it is. (No! Language rules have changed since you were a sophomore. Anyway, your English teachers likely have no background in publishing, so apart from basic grammar, how much help can they be?
o If a manuscript or query is grammar-perfect, you'll be fine. (No! Lots of things that are grammatically correct annoy publishers.)
o Always use your Spell and Grammar Checker. (No! Some suggest you don't use it at all, but The Frugal Editor will help you make it your partner instead of your enemy.)
o It's easy to avoid agent and editor scams by asking other writers. (The Frugal Editor gives you a to-do and not-to-do lists to help you avoid being taken.)
o Your publisher will assign a top-flight editor. (Maybe, but don't count on it. The more you know, the better partner you’ll be for an editor!)
o Formatters and editors will take care of the hyphens, ellipses, and all the other grungy little punctuation marks that English teachers avoided teaching because they didn't know how to use them either. (Chances are, you'll catch even great formatters and editors in an error or two if you know your stuff!)
