EDITING TLC

This page is dedicated to my mom, one of the most prolific readers that I know.  Dear Mom recently read  a book edited by Editing TLC (that's me, of course). 

This is what I heard from Mom: "Honey, there are mistakes in this book.  How can people pay you to edit when you didn't catch these mistakes?" 

WOW...nothing like shooting an arrow directly into my heart, huh?  

So, I needed to explain how things are working in the publishing world these days.

Dear Mom,

Several of the books that I have edited were "put out there into the real world" with limited editing.  When it became apparent that the book needed a copy-editor, the author could only afford to make a certain percentage of the recommended changes--and the author was the one who made those decisions. So yes, Mom, the book is not "perfect."

Another time, Mom, an author asked me for a "once-over" copy edit.  Then the author made revisions and added things to the main book as well as adding in dedication, acknowledgment pages, etc., but never handed the book back to me to re-edit before sending it off to get published.  YIKES!!  But, it is, what it is, Mom.  And you are right, it is not "perfect."

Editing TLC strives for perfection, Mom, but the books are last in the hands of the authors.  Some authors work very closely with me, and we keep sending the manuscript back and forth until we are both satisfied and "sign off" on the work.  Others are in a rush to get the book "out there," and they take shortcuts.  I can only do what I can do, Mom.

I will strive to make you proud of me and I will strive for perfection in the books that I copy edit.  But, Mom, we all make mistakes and even copy editors sometimes miss one here or there.  

And yes, Mom, it does sting for me to find a mistake in a book that has been published.  That is what got me into this business in the first place.  

Thanks, Mom, for loving me enough to be able to share your concerns with me.  I will continue to work hard to improve the writing of these fine authors.  I do work hard for them and with them.  I hope you'll find many more books that are near-perfect in your reading in the future.  Thanks again, Mom.

Love you!

Joyce 

Here is a disclaimer that I've seen several authors put into their books.  I like it!!  I think my mom would like it too...LOL!!

My copy editor and I have worked very hard  to create a near-perfect book, but any mistakes that you find I will take full credit for because I was the last one with my hands on the manuscript.  

DECEMBER 2011

"MOM UPDATE"

Guess what my mom gave me for Christmas this year? 

"Honey, I just finished the book that you edited and helped to get printed.  I found a mistake."

Oh, Mom, thanks for sharing that with me...LOL...I guess that just goes to show what you've always taught me: "Only God is perfect."  I have to admit that it threw me into an emotional dive for 24 hours or so...but I pulled myself out of it.  I guess one mistake out of 95,000 words isn't such a bad percentage, right?

Well, four nights later, I received a phone call from my mom.  I knew it had been bothering her that she mentioned the error (though instead of through). 

Guess what she had to share with me?  She had been gifted a book (an expensive one from a well-known author) and she was only on page 75 and she had found 5+ mistakes!!  So she wanted me to know that I should feel really good :-) 

Oh, Mom, I love you!!!

Website Visitors:

If you should find a mistake or two on the website, please don't hesitate to contact me. I strive for perfection, but I don't have a copy editor and I do make mistakes from time to time. THANK YOU!!