Editors on the Blog: September 2018

Editors on the Blog is a monthly column curating some of the best posts from the editing community – articles written by editors and proofreaders for colleagues and clients alike.

My thanks to this month's contributors!

THE BUSINESS OF EDITING

• How to minimize cancellations and non-payment for editing and proofreading services by Louise Harnby, published on The Parlour. Louise writes: ‘Every professional editor and proofreader wants to attract best-fit clients who are prepared to commit to a contract of editorial services. For the most part, bookings go smoothly – cancellations, delays, and failures to pay are unusual. Still, editorial business owners need to protect themselves ... just in case.'​​

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​CLIENT FOCUS​: BUSINESS AND OTHER NON-FICTION

• Does your language editor need to know your subject? by Claire Bacon, published on Bacon Editing Blog. Claire writes: ‘Here, I explain why subject-specific knowledge is sometimes – but not always – helpful when it comes to getting your research paper ready for publication. It all depends what you need.'
• Knowing Your Culture – The C Word In Financial Firms by Howard Walwyn, published on Prism-Clarity. Howard writes: ‘Culture in financial services firms is more of a concern to regulators today than some of the themes that have historically preoccupied them. I focus on what culture in financial services firms means.'

CLIENT FOCUS​: FICTION

• Finally – a short blog post! by Lesley Jones, published on Perfect the Word. Lesley writes: ‘Authors sometimes find their writing is padded out with favourite and filler words. This post contains a couple of tips on how to cut them down. Plus a book recommendation!’
• How to punctuate dialogue in a novel by Louise Harnby, published on The Parlour. Louise writes: ‘If the thought of punctuating your novel’s dialogue brings you out in a sweat, let me mop your brow with these 7 tips.'
• Kick-start your own career development program for new novelists by Lisa Poisso, published on Clarity: Tools and Skills for Authors. Lisa writes: ‘The hardest part of breaking into anything new is that you’re not even aware of what you don’t yet know, so dig in!’
• Research tools for crime and thriller writers by Louise Harnby, published on The Parlour. Louise writes: ‘If you’re including authentic technical or procedural information in your crime writing, you’ll be wearing your research hat. Your story should come first, of course. However, be sure to get your facts straight before you decide if and how far you’re going to bend reality.'

EDITING IN PRACTICE

• Proofreading designed page proofs: knock-on effects by Louise Harnby, published on The Parlour. Louise writes: ‘Good proofreading practice means acknowledging that changing one word, or moving one line, can have unintended and damaging consequences throughout the rest of the book if we aren’t careful.'

LANGUAGE MATTERS

• Develop your writing muscle through imitation by Lisa Poisso, published on Clarity: Tools and Skills for Authors. Lisa writes: ‘One of the best ways to stretch your writing skills is to draw inspiration from those who are writing the kind of novels you want to write. What do the authors you admire do best? Can you emulate that?’
• Simple or simplistic? – and other tricky word choices by Helen Stevens and Laura Ripper, published on the School Proof blog. Helen writes: ‘Choosing between two closely related words whose meanings are similar can sometimes be difficult. Here are some commonly confused pairs – with examples of their uses – to help you make the right choice.’