These three examples show exactly why proofreading is so important. Before you ever send even a query letter to a publisher, you should go back and thoroughly proofread your work. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Use your grammar-checker and spell-checker, but also use your own knowledge of the English language. If you are unsure of your abilities or want a second set of eyes, don't be afraid to call on a trusted friend to help you out.
Once your piece moves on to the next level, don't be afraid to double-check the work of your editor. Even if they are the best in their field, they are human too and can accidentally skip over something that will be obvious to others. Ask to see the final manuscript, the cover, and any other details that will be shown to the public world. This is your name that is being put out there, make sure you are confident that it is the best it can be.
I'm amazed that an Algebra book would have such an error on its cover. Someone ought to be fired! lol.
ReplyDeleteEspecially considering the audience it is targeting! That is a big blunder on someone's part that I'm sure has hurt their reputation.
DeleteGreat examples of what you teaching in this post! Perfect way to teach the principle. Thank you.
DeleteYour comment about a fresh set of eyes is crucial. Even the most knowledgeable among us can easily miss something - especially when your mind knows what you 'meant' to say... yet you will still find a few errors in almost every book. All the spell check and grammar check in thew world isn't going to change that, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteExactly! You will read what you want to be there, not necessarily what is on the page. Someone who hasn't read the story has no assumptions about what each sentence should say. A friend is a good asset to have!
DeleteThanks for reading, and check back often!
Initially the "fresh set of eyes" can be your own. So often we write and proof read our own work on screen, and only on screen, because we are sending it through the ether or posting it somewhere. With due respect to the environment, printing and reading from the page can reveal errors your mind has skipped on the screen. Someone once explained to me that this is a brain left-side - right-side thing, We interpret text as pictures when it's on a computer. I don't know the science, but I do know this works. Therefore, if the piece is important enough it's worth this printout test.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point. I hadn't heard the part about your brain interpreting it differently before, so thank you for bringing that to light. And it definitely reinforces the fact that you should always proofread your work!
Deletewell said
ReplyDelete