I have been busily working on Book 3 of my Abby & Holly Series. Editing is the most difficult part of writing and publishing a book. I usually read my book several times and each time I may find something that I want to change or cut or enhance in some way.
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There is no getting around doing the editing. It must be done! Do you dislike editing as much as I do? How many times do you as an author read over your manuscript?
Each round of editing is different. This is what I do.
I read through after I complete the MS for story line and content.
I read through for punctuation and grammar and spelling.
I read through for words that are overused such as just, then, now.
I read through for continuity of thought and flow of words
I read through for anything that I may have missed on the above reads.
I send this edited MS to my beta readers for their sharp eyes.
I will reread it as I review their thoughts and suggestions of the story.
I read it once more to make sure everything is in order and save, save and save again on my hard drive and a memory stick.
No matter how many times I read through my MS I can still miss things. I copy edit for other authors and usually read through their MS twice and then scan once more for overused words.
If you are in need of a copy editor, that is one thing that I do for others. Please go to my blog search under Copyediting or Copy Editing Service or to my website – Jemsbooks.com. My prices are reasonable and there are references for you to check out there.
Watch for my new book, Abby & Holly Series, Book 3. I will announce the title soon and give you a cover reveal this month.
Next on my agenda is Book 4 in this series. I already have a story running around in my head. I hope to have this book completed before the end of the year.
My husband is working on Book 1 of a dragon series which will have six fun books about dragons for children PS-Grade 4. Other ages will enjoy them too! All my books are illustrated by my talented husband. He also is my cover creator. Boy, am I fortunate to have him. He works cheaply for me too! Ha! I am a tough boss though.
Thank you so much for stopping over. I hope you will keep reading and enjoying my books all year through! Happy Reading! All my books are available on Amazon as paperback and ebooks and Barnes & Noble as paperback.
REMEMBER: READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS.COM ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING EVERYONE!
Janice is an award-winning author with 33 books: 16 children's books for PS-Gr 4, 12 middle-grade/preteen/young adult books, written under Janice Spina, and 4 novels, and a short story collection written under J.E. Spina. She is also a writer of poetry, blogger, avid reader, reviewer and a copy editor. Janice has always loved writing and started very young writing poetry, then stories.
Her books have received 25 Book Awards and a few Finalists in contests.
AWARDS:
4 MOM'S CHOICE AWARDS - SILVER MEDAL - Lamby the Lonely Lamby, Ricky the Rambunctious Raccoon, Louey the Lazy Elephant, Jesse the Precocious Polar Bear
10 PINNACLE BOOK ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - Davey & Derek Junior Detectives, Books 1, 2, 3, 5, & 6. Abby & Holly Series, Books 1-5
READERS' FAVORITE AWARDS - HONORABLE MENTION - Davey & Derek Book 1,
READERS' FAVORITE AWARDS - SILVER MEDAL - Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 3
READERS' FAVORITE AWARDS - BRONZE MEDAL - Abby & Holly Book 1
READERS’ FAVORITE AWARDS - HONORABLE MENTION — Abby & Holly Book 2
READERS’ FAVORITE AWARDS - FINALIST - Davey & Derek Book 6
5 PINNACLE BOOK ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - Jerry the Crabby Crayfish, Broose the Moose on the loose, Colby the Courageous Cat, Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe, Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey
BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD - FINALIST - Davey & Derek Book 6
Authorsdb Cover Contest Silver Medal - Davey & Derek Book 5
FINALISTS:
Authorsdb First Lines Contest, - Hunting Mariah and Mariah's Revenge were Finalists
Red City Review Awards - Finalist - Davey & Derek Book 4 and received a 5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS - 5-STAR REVIEW - Davey & Derek Book 4
All Janice's books are available on Amazon.com, Kindle, B&N and other online book sites.
One of her sports' poems was published in The Lawrence Eagle Tribune in October of 2008. She is currently working on a novel and Book 4 of Drystan the Dragon series for young children. An historical novel and a YA fantasy series will be coming in 2021 and beyond along with more children's books and novels for 18+.
Her hobbies are crocheting, walking to keep fit, hula hooping, tap dancing, going to the movies with her husband, and spending time with her five grandchildren.
Janice loves to hear from readers and appreciates reviews. Sign up on her blog http://jemsbooks.blog for a copy of her newsletters under Contact Me. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband who is her illustrator and cover creator.
I read through several times, checking for all the stuff you listed. Then I set it aside again for at least a few days, and read through it one extra time before I start formatting for the different formats that get published. Then I cross my fingers, and hope those sneaky typo fairies didn’t come behind my back and have their fun (AKA, hope nothing got missed after all, as can sometimes happen to the best of us).
I at least read that many times through my MS before i send it to my editor. If not more times. Because i say, the first writing is the skeleton, the second are the vanes, the third, well, you know how it goes on. But most of the time that is not enough for me, so i go on. but then there must come the time, when i say, that’s it. and off it goes to the editor. That’s why it takes me so long to get the 6th finish. 4 years now, i believe.
It just happen now. got my 6th book back in the Talon series, now i read it through, then she will read it again, and then me again.
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I read through several times, checking for all the stuff you listed. Then I set it aside again for at least a few days, and read through it one extra time before I start formatting for the different formats that get published. Then I cross my fingers, and hope those sneaky typo fairies didn’t come behind my back and have their fun (AKA, hope nothing got missed after all, as can sometimes happen to the best of us).
That can happen. But we all do the best we can. 😀
I at least read that many times through my MS before i send it to my editor. If not more times. Because i say, the first writing is the skeleton, the second are the vanes, the third, well, you know how it goes on. But most of the time that is not enough for me, so i go on. but then there must come the time, when i say, that’s it. and off it goes to the editor. That’s why it takes me so long to get the 6th finish. 4 years now, i believe.
It just happen now. got my 6th book back in the Talon series, now i read it through, then she will read it again, and then me again.
You can never read it too many times. I always find something else. 🤗
Yes, I do too. 😀
It’s those later read-throughs you have to be cautious of. After reading through it so many times, it is too easy to miss things.
Absolutely! Did you receive my new book yet? ❤️
Yes, I was typing up my edits when I saw you sent an updated copy. I’m rereading it and I’ll get it to you soon.
Oh so sorry. Michelle! I edited the second half mostly. 😘🤗🤪
No problem. I’m enjoying the story for the second time. 💕🤗💕
Thank you! 😘🤗
I also edit a massive amount, Janice. I have read Through the Nethergate so many times I feel like I never want to see it again.
I know what you mean, Tobbie! 🤣🤗
Oops Robbie! 😀🤪
Giggle.
I’ve just started the revision of my book – this week, in fact – and so far I’m finding it harder than the first draft!
That is not hard to believe. I know what you mean. Good luck. Keep plugging away, Steve! 😀
Thanks! The steps are small but (I think) they’re in the right direction.