WordWise Media owner and literary agent Steve Hutson enjoys receiving and reviewing manuscripts with spiritual or religious themes. But, he doesn't enjoy them when the content is too preachy. Hutson recognizes that many writers feel called to write the...

You have to be prepared to defend your material to copy editors, says author and editor Elaine Ash. Sometimes, copy editors and proofreaders end up changing the manuscript in a way that drastically alters a character or story. If this happens to you...

Author and editor Elaine Ash works with writers to make sure their book is strong as a whole – rearranging chapters, adjusting voice and tone, or adding and deleting material. Then the manuscript is ready for a grammar and spell check. Ash advises authors...

Every book manuscript should go through many different stages and layers of review, including research editing, developmental editing, line editing, and content editing. Two important steps in the process are copy editing and proofreading. Copy editing...

It's challenging to edit your own book, but there are some tips that can help. Freelance editor Erin Brown gives some practical advice for editing your own work to make sure it's ready for publication. Verify that you are showing instead of telling...

What type of editor do you really need for your book? It depends, says Jenna Free, editor and writer for Girl Friday Productions. Some authors work with a collaborator from the beginning, to define the structure, outline and monitor execution. This...

What type of editor do you really need for your book? It depends, says Jenna Free, editor and writer for Girl Friday Productions. Some authors work with a collaborator from the beginning, to define the structure, outline and monitor execution. This...

Details like newspaper headlines and articles displayed in shop windows add richness to a story, which is why mystery writer Cara Black loves to travel to locations like Paris whenever possible. The ability to take time and record the sounds and activity...

Details like newspaper headlines and articles displayed in shop windows add richness to a story, which is why mystery writer Cara Black loves to travel to locations like Paris whenever possible. The ability to take time and record the sounds and activity...

Rewriting and editing is what distinguishes amateurs from professionals. It’s what brings your work to life. When you write a rough draft, you may pour yourself into it, but the rough draft is really just for getting the story down; the key to making...