The Frugal Book Editor

You've written the book. Your job is done. Time for the agents, editors and publishers to do their job. Oh, wishful thinking. Because the fact is, with the many changes in the publishing world the responsibility for editing (and by editing I mean revisions, grammatical fixes and checks for typos and formatting problems) is falling more heavily on the shoulders of writers. So what's a writer to do? Carolyn Howard-Johnson has compiled her plan of attack in the second edition of The Frugal Book Editor.

The Frugal Book Editor: Do-it-yourself editing secrets for authors: from your query letter to

final manuscript to the marketing of your bestseller (second edition)

 

Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Pages: 288
Publisher: CreateSpace (2015)
ISBN-10: 0978515870
ISBN-13: 9778-0978515874

Book Description:
There are gremlins out there determined to keep your work from being published, your book from being promoted. They -- resolved to embarrass you before the gatekeepers who can turn the key to success for you -- lurk in your subconscious and the depths of your computer programs. Whether you are a new or experiences author, The Frugal Book Editor will help you present whistle-clean copy (whether it's a one-page cover letter or your entire manuscript) to those who have the power to say "Yea" or "Nay." It won several awards including a USA Book News award.
The Frugal Book Editor is available in paperback and as an ebook on Amazon.

About Carolyn Howard-Johnson

In addition to her How to Do It Frugally Series of Books for Writers, Howard-Johnson has written novels. creative nonfiction poetry chapbooks and screenplays. She began her career as a staff writer at the Salt Lake Tribune before becoming an editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping Magazine. She has also written columns and reviews for a variety of newspapers and is an instructor for UCLA Extension Writers' Program. Her dedication to studying writing has taken her around the world: Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia and Charles University in Prague

 Connect with Carolyn online:
Website: http://howtodoitfrugally.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/frugalbookpromo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson

***** BOOK REVIEW: THE FRUGAL BOOK EDITOR *****

Review by Jodi Webb

Like most writers I dream of the editor who is going to take my manuscript, wave a magic wand and make it perfect. Too bad that mythical editor doesn't exist.

The Frugal Book Editor is crammed full of information that every writer can use in a publishing world where writers must also have (or hire) editing skills. Perhaps the most important tidbit author Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares is that, even if you or your publisher will be hiring a professional editor for your manuscript, you still need to know as much as possible about editing for two reasons:

1. An edited manuscript has a better chance of being accepted by an agent or editor.
2. A professional editor will do a better job if you've already edited the manuscript. If obvious mistakes have been corrected, a professional editor can concentrate on more subtle (but still important) problems.

In addition to providing a refresher course on grammar concepts such as split infinitives, apostrophes, gerunds, The Frugal Book Editor also reintroduces you to the magic of computers. For instance, Howard-Johnson will explain the problem of excessive adverbs and then take you step by step through using the functions of your computer to bring adverbs to your attention so you can do a little editing. I learned about many tools my computer has that I never knew about. Her book is generously illustrated with funny examples as well as pet peeves and advice from professionals in the publishing world. Howard-Johnson also offers her readers extras: free information and advice she'll provide for the cost of an email and several appendices that gather lists of information, reference books and sources. Although this book is full of the nitpicky details writers like to avoid when in a creative frenzy, she manages to make the book fun with her humorous voice.

As you read this book the first time, you might feel you can never absorb everything you need to know (that's how I felt). But it is the type of book you will find yourself returning to again and again for writing projects of all lengths and genres. The Frugal Book Editor will earn a coveted spot on your shelf of reference books.

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