Editing & Proofreading

31 Jan 2023

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TITLE CAPITALIZATION

“Grammar is not a set of arbitrary rules. It is a compact between people who wish to understand each other.” —Robert Breault Frequently, title capitalization doesn’t get the attention it deserves. After all, the average reader does not give title capitalization a second thought. It seems as though hardcore grammarians are the only folks interested […]

13 Jan 2023

THE 7 WORST GRAMMAR OFFENDERS IN 2023

A philosopher once said, “half of good philosophy is good grammar.”— A.P. Martinich Getting the right message across is crucial in effective writing. Nevertheless, inappropriate grammar can muddle great writing. That is why steering clear of the seven worst grammar offenders in 2023 leads to sharp writing and effective writing. Here are the seven worst […]

15 Jul 2022

HOW TO BECOME A GREAT SELF-EDITOR: 7 QUESTIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING

We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it again: Editing is an essential part of the writing process. Every writer — from the bestselling novelist to the complete novice — can benefit from a thorough review by a critical, impartial eye. Of course, it’s hard to be critical and impartial about your own work. […]

30 May 2022

5 WAYS USING ACTIVE VOICE WILL IMPROVE YOUR WRITING

The English language has two “voices” used in speaking and writing. It is quite common to hear references to these voices, but what do they truly mean? And when should each voice be used? What is voice? English uses the term “voice” to refer to the connection between the subject and the object of a […]

11 May 2022

5 EFFECTIVE TIPS FOR SELF-EDITING A FAMILY HISTORY BOOK

“The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its writer.” — Zadie Smith Editing is a critical component of the writing process. After all, a well-written document needs polishing to ensure high quality. A common misconception is that editing involves “correcting” mistakes. While proofreading takes care of […]

29 Apr 2022

A PROOFREADER’S CHECKLIST

Proofreading can be scary at times because it carries so much responsibility. The proofreader must deliver a product that is as perfect as humanly possible. In some businesses, the proofreader is the last person to touch a document, making the final changes before it is published. Like editing, proofreading can require a light or a […]

07 Dec 2021

5 REASONS WHY HIRING A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR IS BETTER THAN USING ONLINE EDITING TOOLS

“The life of an editor is not a glamorous one. You’re a fixer; you make things better.” —Courtney B. Vance Typically, most people think editors are folks who wield big, red pens. However, a professional editor is far more than someone who corrects written content. An editor needs to dabble in mind-reading. For starters, an […]

29 Oct 2021

WHAT KIND OF EDITING DO I NEED?

“Can you edit this?” It’s arguably one of the vaguest requests heard in the world of editing and publishing. That’s because there are multiple types of editing, and they often mean something very different to each party in the editing relationship – the writer and the editor. A basic Internet search of “types of editing” […]

26 Oct 2021

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SELF-EDITING

So you’ve just written your first draft. Congratulations! Getting words onto the page can be one of the most painful parts of the writing process. Unfortunately, you’re not done yet. As every seasoned writer knows, your first draft is just the first step. Rarely (if ever) does a piece move from the writer’s brain to […]

16 Jul 2021

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING STYLE GUIDES

Jonathan Culver, an author renowned for challenging the foundations of the English language, once stated, “The English language is a work in progress. Have fun with it.” Indeed, the English language is a magnificent living organism. And unlike other languages, there is no “right” way of using it. Quite the contrary, English can lend itself […]