Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #6

When an author is struggling to write a book, a shrewd editorial trick is to ask the struggler to come up with the book’s title and subtitle. This tends to concentrate the author’s mind, and to give both a destination and a course towards it.

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1, Tip #2, Tip #3,  Tip #4, and Tip #5.

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #5

Generally, less is more. Yet there are times when more is more — when what the editor spots as repetition is actually beneficial emphasis, and should be kept.

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1, Tip #2, Tip #3, and Tip #4.

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #4

Consistency may be the hobgoblin of little minds, but most of us have little minds that find it very useful in matters of spelling, punctuation, and style.

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1, Tip #2, and Tip #3.

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #3:

Chronological order is always a very useful ball of twine to lead you through an author’s maze.

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1 and Tip #2.

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these guidelines form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #2:

What the editor does is make suggestions. The final decision rests with the author, whose name is on the book

Missed last week’s tip? Check out Tip #1.

Every week we’ll share another tip for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these guidelines form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #1:

In making changes to a manuscript the Golden Rule is that the editor should do as little as possible and as much as necessary.