Resources
Resources written by Nicola
What type of editing do you need?
A visual summary of what to expect from each level of editing and where "story edit" fits.
Managing Expectations
When authors and editors work together
Websites and blogs that you may find useful
On-line resources abound. When I find a website or blog that I think my clients will find useful, I will include it here.
Editors Canada Professional Editorial Standards: Overview
Kim's Author Support Blog posted my Editing...The Step After Writing
post
An American Editor discusses The Value (or Not) of Beta Readers
Showing and Telling: The Basics
Why editors can't review clients' books on Amazon—I was going to write something myself, but this says it all.
A listing of books you may find useful
Books, either in hard copy or electronic, can bring together many ideas in one place. I will list those I think my clients will find useful, including a short review if relevant.
These two books complement each other, with the 5 Secrets of Story Structure
both summarizing and expanding on Structuring your Novel. K.M. Weiland also has a companion workbook that authors can use to plan out their story.
Both "plotters" and "pantsers" will find the books useful, albeit at different points in the writing process. Plotters can use the structure to plan out the story, ensuring the key events happen at the right time. Pantsers can follow the structure after their first draft is complete to ensure key events are happening at logical times.
"Show, don't tell" is an oft repeated phrase, but what does it really mean? Janice Hardy explores the issue and gives detailed examples of showing, along with ways to fix it.
Recommended reading for all fiction authors.
Clicking on the image will take you to Amazon, which has more detailed information, but with whom I have no affiliation.
Not what you'd expect an editor to recommend to writers, but The Subversive Copy Editor will help you understand the editing process. Chapter 6 is just for you: "Dear Writers: A Chapter of Your Own"; in it Saller explores ways to improve the editor-author relationship.
Clicking on the image will take you to Amazon, which has more detailed information, but with whom I have no affiliation.
I do not know James Ranson personally, but after reading this book I have a strong sense of his approach to book coaching and editing.
He clearly states that this book is intended for 'authopreneurs' (business owners who wish to write a book) and the first half of the book is heavily weighted to them. However, the second half of the book, especially the parts discussing marketing and professional editing, has nuggets of wisdom for just about all authors, no matter what genre they write in. Planning for post-production time and marketing in parallel to your writing are as applicable to fantasy as they are to a business book.
I recommend this book to all authors. Some will get more out of it than others, but all will benefit from the suggestions therein.
Editing Canadian English is produced by Editors Canada.
While the title includes the term "editing" writers will also find much of the content useful. From using French in English text to Canadian spellings, it provides guidance for both authors and editors. It is available in both print and as an ebook.
Click on the image for more information.
