Tag Archives: editor

Reminder: Please Like/Follow My Editor Amy Facebook Page!

Hi, all! My presentation last month at the Houston Writers Guild Authorpalooza conference had a few technical hiccups, but aside from those it went well. Today I just wanted to provide a quick reminder and request to please like and follow my Editor Amy Facebook page. I like to post funny images, including unfortunate misspellings and language-related jokes, writing/grammar/punctuation tips, specials/discounts, and more. Regarding specials and discounts, you never know when I’ll post a limited-time discount, so keep an eye out and be sure you have notifications for my page turned on! See below for my new timeline cover and one of my favorite funny images.

Editor Amy

HWG Presentation: Working with an Editor

Good morning, all! This weekend is the Houston Writers Guild’s Authorpalooza conference in Houston. Yours truly will give a presentation on Sat. called Working with an Editor. In it, I’ll go over the typical editing process and, yes, working with an editor and all that entails. I’ll detail how to make the editing process an ideal experience, what to expect when working with an editor, the different types of editing, costs, what to put in your first email to an editor, and more. After my presentation, I’ll be at my vendor table in the foyer talking to anyone who comes by and wants to chat. Come see me!

Editor Amy

First-Time Presenter: Writers Conference

Well, the Houston Writers Guild annual conference went really well, according to everyone. I was one of the breakout speakers and did a presentation called “Preparing to Work with and Later Working with an Editor.” I was super nervous and felt I messed up a good amount, but I got great feedback about it afterward. The audience was perfect: they took notes, laughed in the right spots, and asked questions. Below is the title page of my PowerPoint presentation.

PP screenshot

I also had a little table set up that I stayed at for most of the rest of the conference, and people came by to ask advice about their books and get information about the editing process. I tell you, it’s such a rewarding feeling doing what you love, being able to help others reach their goals, and having people look to you for guidance.

Later in the day I participated on a panel with a few literary agents and one other editor. That was definitely helpful to a lot of writers. Those agents were available during the day to hear book pitches, and I got to hear all about several people’s encouraging sessions with the agents. Such excitement all day.

So, though I was a nervous wreck for a good part of the day, it was totally worth it. I’m looking forward to next year’s conference already.

Editor Amy

Houston Writers Guild Annual Conference

Tomorrow will be a big day for this editor! I’m going to be a speaker at the Houston Writers Guild annual conference. My presentation is called “Preparing to Work with and Later Working with an Editor.” It was an honor to be asked to speak. I’ll also serve on the Q&A panel again with a few literary agents.

This conference is a big event in the Houston writing community, and it offers so many great resources for writers (both beginners and pros). Some writers set up tables to promote their latest works, other professionals in the publishing industry feature their skills and services, and a few agents make themselves available to hear pitches from writers. Registration is available via the link above. Come say hi if you see me!

Editor Amy

HWG

Do You Need an Editor?

NeedEditor

I’m sure it’s no surprise that I love this graphic. I don’t know whom to give credit, but it’s great. I wish I could show it to everyone who writes, whether professionally or on the side and in hopes of being published. Every type and piece of writing can be improved with professional editing. “Professional” is the key word.

Many people think they don’t need editors, I believe because they know how to read and write, took English classes, and maybe consider themselves to be good at spotting their own mistakes or errors on signs. They must think that’s enough. It’s strange coming across that. Some people are downright adamant and insist that they don’t need editors. I doubt many surgeons come across the same thing. How many of us would feel confident that we could put a screw in someone’s broken limb or even close a wound with stitches or staples (at surgeon standards)? I took biology and a health-tech. class in high school. Am I semi-qualified? Could anyone who likes to debate and knows a handful of laws do a lawyer’s job? I seriously hope that people would seek professionals for those services.

Should editing be an exception? I’ve learned so much as an editor, and when training to be an editor, that I never would have learned in regular, daily life. (Now, not all editors meet the standards, but I won’t go into that. I will upon request, though.) I don’t want to come across as having no sense of humor or discourage those with a love of language; it brings a smile to my face when I see that someone likes what I posted about writing or editing on my Facebook page, and I encourage people to keep learning about what they love. I just wish more people acknowledged editing as something truly professional–like it is. Let the pros handle your novels, your graduate theses, your business proposals, your websites. If you find a great editor, you’ll love the results. Sure, it takes some work on your part to find and hire the right editor, and there will probably be revisions to work on, but it’s worth it for something you care about–something you want to look its best.

Now, look at the funny graphic again and laugh!

Editor Amy

Way-Back Wednesday: A Blast from My College Past

I was recently looking for something in a desktop folder that contains all kinds of files, and I happened across some of my college papers from my journalism classes. As you might guess, I adored all the writing and editing I got to do in them. What I’m posting below is an assignment I turned in (no stealing!) about my take on the importance of editing with regard to communicating. I’m not presenting it as a thing of beauty (I was still trying to find my style) but as more of a glimpse of the type of person I’ve been for a long time.

Editing: Quintessential in Communications

“I want to talk good and write good so I can do good and express what’s in my head.” Sure, that person has a lot of work to do, but he has the right attitude. To know the differences between “good” and “well” as well as “that” and “which” is an important task to achieve.

Recently I had a nightmare that an article I poured my heart and soul into got rejected by the city newspaper because I had made several inexcusable grammatical and punctuation errors. (The horror!) I have a goal: excellence. I want to be the best editor and writer I can be, in whichever field I choose, and inspire others to improve their language and writing skills. (I aim high, I know.)

Precision in language is of the utmost importance—at least, it should be. Reading an article and realizing that it comes across as something entirely different from what the writer probably intended is humorous at first, then tiresome, as it’s a never-ending cycle. People love to express themselves but often make simple mistakes that can alter their meanings. This must be stopped. Lovers of language should unite to politely inform those with blind eyes (figuratively) of their wrongdoings: inexcusable errors! Corrections would be made in masses, and expression would once again be smooth. “To,” “two,” and “too” could finally be universally understood. How glorious!

If only I could write about editing and communications all day . . . Alas, there’s much work to be done in the world. Many mistakes still need to be fixed, and most Wal-Mart customers still think that the “10 items or less” signs are correct. Language lovers and future editors should always carry permanent markers or corrective ink, whether figurative or literal, in case of editing emergencies. Maybe our fire for proper language and grammar usage will catch on. Right now there are several commas waiting for me to replace them with semicolons. An editor’s job is never over.