[by Billi Joy Carson, Senior Editor/ Editing Addict]

Editor Tip: Market the Author

If you are an author, a blogger, or a copywriter…then correct spelling, punctuation, word use, and grammar is a necessity in all areas of your writing…books, blogs, marketing, advertisements, social media, queries, submissions, letters, and emails.

Why…?

I can hear the horrified gasps, feel the eyes rolling—doubt and fear from writers everywhere. Panic in the streets.

Before you throw your hands up, and stop reading, let’s look at the WHY behind this necessity.

 

You are always marketing YOU.

 

Your books come and go, but you, the author, remain constant. You are the first line of defense when it comes to marketing yourself—which you are doing every day, every time you write…anything.

You are marketing not only to readers, but to publishers, agents, editors, and your fellow authors who would network with you. You are marketing your writing ability—yes—but you are ALSO marketing your organization capabilities, your attention to details, your desire for accuracy….

What if you don’t care about details and accuracy? Publishers do.

Publishers, editors, and agents notice. In this world of instant access, through social media and blogs, your everyday comments and posts are seen.

If an author can’t be trusted to use the right word in 140 characters, why would they trust the author with a 300-page book?

 

Agents, editors, and publishers (oh my!) have deadlines. Organization is a big part of that. Make it appear you are organized—even if you have to fake it.

Here are some excellent tools to keep close to you, always. I suggest bookmarking them, as well as storing them on your smart phones and tablets—wherever you write, post, and email.

OneLook.com

• Dictionary compilation of over 1000 dictionaries
• Correct spelling not needed
  • It offers options for word spelling
  • Shows several dictionaries, with links.
• Breaks search answers into four categories
  • General
  • Business (language)
  • Computing (language)
  • Slang*
    • *Words that haven’t made it into traditional dictionaries will show up here.
    • *Caution: When writing items for publishing (versus informal social media, emails…), only use a Chicago Manual of Style approved dictionary, like Merriam-Webster.

Other dictionaries:

• Dictionary.com (GREAT tool, but not CMS approved)
• Merriam-Webster.com

Thesaurus:

• Thesaurus.com
• Merriam-Webster.com

Grammar:

• Grammarly.com (not CMS approved, but still a great tool)
  • Copy/paste text in box—it shows grammar errors and weaknesses
• Guide to Grammar & Writing
  • Quick lookup for parts of speech, word use, and grammar rules

Style Guides:

• The Chicago Manual of Style Online
  • Requires a yearly membership, but is GOLD for authors & editors
  • Standard for most publication (certain types of writing e.g. science and psychology have their own style guides)

 

Questions for the editor to answer next time:

[by Billi Joy Carson, Senior Editor / Editing Addict]