We had a wonderful English teacher in high school. She was a stickler for good grammar. It was a bit annoying at the time but I’ve been grateful all my life.
Some books have poor grammar and even incorrect spellings. Every time you read the error it’s as if you’re being interrupted. You’re enjoying the book - totally absorbed by the writing and then - wham- you’re jerked out of it by an error.
Occasionally, I’ve given up on what could have been an excellent book, due to so many “interruptions”.
Don’t they have editors etc at publishing companies any longer?
Traditional publishing houses (Harper Collins, Random House) do. The books go through multiple editors and the publishing houses have style guides for certain elements that can be a bit wonky. Errors still sneak in because humans are imperfect. :)
Independent publishing or self publishing can sometimes not be edited at all by anyone. Some writers will hire a developmental editor and/or a copyeditor and/or proofreader. It depends on how much money they are willing/able to invest in their business. A copyeditor for a 50,000-word book can cost someone independently publishing $2,000. And then there's also a risk of hiring someone who isn't all that good. I've seen that happen to a lot of writers.
All that said, it can really harm a fantastic story if it's riddled with grammatical errors, or even just one horrible one in a terrible place, right? I've put down a lot of them, but I also have a ton of sympathy for writers because I know how it is. :)
Wow....if that is what it takes to rile up this person, they need to get a life. Thanks for all the tips. Love them!
I know! I worry for them--whoever they are.
Thank you for the thank you! It's so kind of you! <3
We had a wonderful English teacher in high school. She was a stickler for good grammar. It was a bit annoying at the time but I’ve been grateful all my life.
Some books have poor grammar and even incorrect spellings. Every time you read the error it’s as if you’re being interrupted. You’re enjoying the book - totally absorbed by the writing and then - wham- you’re jerked out of it by an error.
Occasionally, I’ve given up on what could have been an excellent book, due to so many “interruptions”.
Don’t they have editors etc at publishing companies any longer?
It depends on the book, Penny!
Traditional publishing houses (Harper Collins, Random House) do. The books go through multiple editors and the publishing houses have style guides for certain elements that can be a bit wonky. Errors still sneak in because humans are imperfect. :)
Independent publishing or self publishing can sometimes not be edited at all by anyone. Some writers will hire a developmental editor and/or a copyeditor and/or proofreader. It depends on how much money they are willing/able to invest in their business. A copyeditor for a 50,000-word book can cost someone independently publishing $2,000. And then there's also a risk of hiring someone who isn't all that good. I've seen that happen to a lot of writers.
All that said, it can really harm a fantastic story if it's riddled with grammatical errors, or even just one horrible one in a terrible place, right? I've put down a lot of them, but I also have a ton of sympathy for writers because I know how it is. :)