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Brenna Bailey-Davies

Fiction Editor and Consultant

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Is Proofreading Necessary?

Sep 22, 2020
2 min

Is Proofreading Necessary?

Is proofreading really a necessary part of publishing a book? Yes, yes it is. But not everyone needs to hire a proofreader. Why? Let's start with the basics. What is proofreading? As I stated in my post where I explain the levels of editing, proofreading is the final stage of editing that takes place after a manuscript has been edited and typeset. This is the quality control stage where any remaining errors are corrected. If you skip this stage, your book will likely go out i

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7 Self-Publishing Tips

Jul 7, 2020
4 min

7 Self-Publishing Tips

You've done your research into both traditional publishing and self-publishing, and you've decided self-publishing is for you. Now what? How do you get your manuscript from draft to published book? First of all, we should establish that self-publishing is the equivalent of running your own business. You are in charge of everything, so you have to know what you're doing if you want to be successful. Here are seven tips to help you on your way. 1. Hire A Professional Editor If

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What Is a Manuscript Evaluation?

Oct 29, 2019
2 min

What Is a Manuscript Evaluation?

Most people haven't heard of a manuscript evaluation, which is surprising and unfortunate because it's a cheaper way for authors to receive feedback and improve their manuscript before paying for in-depth editing. What do manuscript evaluations cover? A manuscript evaluation covers the same material as a developmental edit but on a more general scale. This includes feedback on multiple aspects of a story: Plot Characterization Pacing Tone Verb Tense Word Choice World-building

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5 Podcasts for Writers

Sep 19, 2019
2 min

5 Podcasts for Writers

I've written a post about 5 Podcasts for Readers, but what about for writers? There are so many podcasts out there offering fantastic writing and publishing advice for those trying to get their stories out in the world. These are five of my favourite podcasts for writers. The Editing Podcast with Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle In The Editing Podcast, editors Louise and Denise provide all kinds of writing and editing advice for authors. Learn why editing is important, how to f

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Best Writing Advice: Read More

Aug 20, 2019
2 min

Best Writing Advice: Read More

Many people ask what they can do to become a better writer. The best writing advice I can give you is to read more books. Why Is Reading Important? Reading is important for many reasons, including the fact that reading is good for your brain. But reading is particularly important for writers because it helps hone the writing craft. Reading is like studying for writers—the more you study and the more you practice, the better you'll get at writing. Reading published books can g

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Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

May 20, 2019
4 min

Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

Deciding whether to self-publish or publish traditionally can be difficult. Both of these routes have pros and cons, and it's worth thinking about which one suits you best before you jump into one or the other. First, ask yourself why you want to publish. Do you want to be the next Julie Murphy or NK Jemisin? Do you want to publish a memoir only for your family and friends? The purpose of your writing and the audience of your work will help determine what publishing journey f

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Improve Your Writing: Cut Filler Words

May 6, 2019
3 min

Improve Your Writing: Cut Filler Words

Words have power. They can empower people and tear down civilizations, and they can also bore people to tears. Back when authors were paid by the word, stuffing manuscripts full of filler words was acceptable. Nowadays, not so much. Filler words are words that add nothing to the text. You can think of them as unnecessary words, or fluff (as we said in university). These words slow down the pace of a story, make sentences wordy, and turn readers away. Editors and writers alike

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How Much Does Editing Cost?

Apr 29, 2019
4 min

How Much Does Editing Cost?

One of the hot topics in the writing and editing world is editing rates. How much do editors charge? How much should editors charge? Both independent authors and new freelance editors want to know about the money side of the business. Before we dive in to how editors determine their rates and what authors can expect to pay, we need to remember that both editors and authors are human beings who need to make a living. Editors need to make enough to cover their grocery bills, re

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Finding an Editor

Apr 22, 2019
3 min

Finding an Editor

You know why you need an editor, and you know more-or-less what level of editing you need. Now how do you find an editor? Editors can seem elusive, but there are tons of us out there! Once you find some editors, you need to shop around a bit to make sure you find the right one. And I don't mean just shopping for prices. Finding an Editor If you're a social person, you can likely find an editor by going to local writing groups and/or book clubs. If there are no editors in atte

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