Reader Views on Great Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers

Reviewed by Chelsy Scherba for Reader Views (02/2021)

Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Reference Guide for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy, 2nd EditionIn “Great Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers,” Carolyn Howard-Johnson provides writers with a concise reference manual to perfect their writing skills. This book is ideal for anyone looking to develop a book proposal that will bypass the pickiest editors. With an easy to digest format, this manual is a fine resource for browsing quick editing suggestions and corrections.

I really enjoyed the author’s lighthearted tone; it made what could have been a very boring book much more entertaining to read. The organization of this editing guide is also top-notch. It was very convenient to look up any section with the included appendix. In addition to general advice about editing, Carolyn Howard-Johnson provides her readers with a thorough understanding of the ins and outs of tricky homonyms, malapropisms, and helpful tips for getting past the “Gatekeepers” in the publishing industry. Unlike most books on editing, she also emphasizes the importance of style choice, and provides an up-to-date recommendation of reference materials to assist writers.

The examples in this book go far beyond elementary advice on when to use “there, their,” or “they’re.” The author alphabetically organizes “word trippers” in the form of a dictionary entry. For instance: “adapting/adopting” or “rite/right/write” and explains in a paragraph just how these words can be confused and what makes their meanings different. She also provides helpful example sentences to aid readers’ understanding of the definitions.

This book is not meant to be a complete dictionary of oft-confused words, but a short reference for some of the more frequent errors she catches as an editor herself. This book is written as a companion to many of the author’s other manuals, guides, and self-help books, which are provided and summarized at the end of this book for convenience.

If you’re currently writing a proposal for the next great American novel, then you shouldn’t hesitate to add “Great Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers” to your shelf or E-book collection. This editing guide is helpful, well-organized, and simple to peruse, which makes it an ideal companion to the author’s other books, and a necessary addition to any writer’s toolbox.

Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers

978-1-61599-524-0
$7.95
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-524-0
Brand: Modern HIstory Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 2nd
Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Pages: 52
Publication Date: 09/01/2020

Carolyn Howard-Johnson picks the trip-you-up words that her clients struggle with and puts them in a quick reference guide light enough and small enough to be used as an quickie gift that the recipient can tuck into a glove compartment or purse to keep their homonym skills fresh and explains why following grammar rules assiduously isn't always the best choice for writers.

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson has created something of unmatched value: usage advice that cuts through the contentious world of grammar to offer real help. Writers polishing their manuscripts and query letters will find Howard-Johnson's guide more useful than Strunk and White."
-- JUNE CASAGRANDE, author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies (Penguin) and syndicated grammar columnist guru

"That so much helpful advice is couched in such light-hearted, easy to read and entertaining prose is due to Howard-Johnson's abilities... "
-- MAGDALENA BALL, founder and editor of The Compulsive Reader review

"...it's editing books like this that help us get one step closer to writing, and speaking, clearly and succinctly. Five stars."
-- DAWN COLCLASURE, author, 365 Tips for Writers

"This book is a good investment for all writers, no matter how skilled and experienced they believe they are. And, if you believe you 'could care less,' you really need this book."
-- BOYD SUTTON, editor, Wisconsin Writer's Journal

"From adapting/adopting to wreak/reek, this book is highly recommended reading for anyone preparing to write pretty much anything -- and a fascinating read in its own right for those who appreciate word-play and the occasionally encountered dilemmas of the English language!"
-- JIM COX, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review

"This is a wonderful book that could be used as a reference book in secondary classrooms and writing groups. The book would also be handy during teacher-student writing conferences as a neutral way to discuss word use errors especially."
-- CAROLYN WILHELM, curriculum writer, The Wise Owl Factory

Learn more at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com

From Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

LAN022000 LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Editing & Proofreading
BUS011000 BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Business Writing

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