Category: Writing Tips

The Power of a Second Pair of Eyes: Why Peer Reviews Aren’t Enough

By Anuradha Warrier

Peer reviews serve a useful function not just for academic writing or scientific journals, but also for authors. For an author, those ‘peers’ are other authors – people who understand the world you draw from your imagination or the real world; the people who populate them and the internal ‘logic’ of that universe. They may tell you whether your narrative ‘flows’ – whether the plot works, whether its structure is ‘logical’ (within the universe it inhabits), whether the characters come alive, etc. Some of them may even point out grammatical errors or errors in syntax.

But… and this is a huge ‘but’ – is that enough?

The problems with peer reviews for academic writing have been well-documented. Much of it is true for writing across the board, whether your work is fiction or non-fiction.

  1. Who is your ‘peer’?

Is this another writer, a writing group, or a trusted friend you believe will give you honest feedback? If the latter, will they point out the flaws in your writing? More importantly, do they have the experience to notice them? Most people do not have the breadth of experience needed to fully assess a work for critical issues.

  1. The potential for bias

This leads us to the next flaw in ‘peer’ reviews: the potential for bias. When you hand your work to someone who is like you (holds the same worldview/perspective/opinions, has the same culture/upbringing, etc.), the chances are that they will not be objective enough to evaluate your work on its own merits.

Or perhaps, the person critiquing your work may want you to change characters, their motivations, even plot points because it doesn’t work for them, or because that is not how they would write.

In effect, what you’re getting is an open validation or a personal opinion. There’s nothing objective about it.

  1. Fact checking

You cannot expect the average person to check your narrative for facts unless the subject matter happens to fall into their area of expertise.

  1. Constructive feedback or criticism

Let us say that the person you choose to review your book is experienced, objective, and has the time to do a thorough review of your work. Will they be forthright in their feedback, or will they hold back for fear of disappointing you?

More importantly, would you be able to take their criticism in the manner in which it is intended? The danger of inviting someone close to you to critique your work is that the criticism may cut too close to the bone, even if well-intended. You know, better than anyone else, just what it is you meant to say. When someone criticises that process, it feels personal.

This is not to say that peer reviews aren’t useful to an author. They are. Peer reviews can help an author gauge how well their target demographic will receive their work. They can help you test your ideas, especially at the start of your project, before you invest time in expanding on them. They can be a huge support system while you are writing your masterpiece. And if several of your peers have the same issue with your writing, it can provide a reality check that most authors sorely need at least once in their lifetimes.

But peer reviews cannot be the only tool in a writer’s arsenal before publication, just the first step towards it.

At Blue Pencil, our professional editors can help you take your work to the next level. They have the experience to critique your work without making it about you, and to help you hone your manuscript without losing your ‘voice’.  Our editors can evaluate your work and help with aspects like logic, presentation, grammar, tone, and style of writing. We offer both tough love and loving support to help you refine your manuscript to make it the best version possible.

If you need help in choosing an experienced professional editor who’s a good fit for you, contact us at hello@bluepencilpublishers.com and we’d be glad to help.

Check out our Editing Services

More to read on Blue Pencil

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The Power of a Good Book Cover Design

Why Hiring a Professional Editor Frees You Up

Print on Demand Books: The Future of Publishing

Why Do You Need a Professional Editor?

 

When You Say ‘Editing’, What Do You Mean?

By Anuradha Warrier

You have just completed your manuscript and you know you need the services of an editor. But, what sort of editing do you need? Editing terminology can be quite bewildering to a layperson. What’s more, these terms are used differently even within the industry and that adds a whole other layer of confusion.

Let’s try and break this down.

Comprehensive / Developmental editing

Comprehensive editing takes into consideration the author’s ‘voice’, pacing, characterisation, plot, sub-plot, consistency in the narrative, verb-tense agreement, dialogue, etc.  We check for plot holes, weak links, pacing, etc., rearrange paragraphs to suit the flow of the narrative, and may even rewrite the text.

Substantive editing

Substantive editing is often confused for developmental editing and/or line editing. While the difference is minor, substantive editing considers the narrative flow, organization of chapters, sub-sections, paragraphs and even sentences.

Line editing

Once the major work of editing is done, a line editor will go through a manuscript line by line, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. The main focus here is on word choice, syntax and meaning. This is when they will suggest rewriting/reorganising the sentences to improve your prose and the style of the manuscript.

Copy editing

Usually, this is what people mean when they think of ‘editing’. Copy editing involves cross-checking references, checking for consistency and accuracy, correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation. A copy editor may revise the text and/or add comments for authors to do so.

Proofreading

Most laypersons make the mistake of confusing proofreading for copy editing. Proofreading is the final checkpoint before publication. A proofreader looks for typographical errors, consistency in typesetting and fonts, etc.

Finally, how much does all this cost?

Blue Pencil sets its rates according to accepted industry standards – whether that rate is for an entire project, per page, per word or on an hourly basis. The cost also depends on a variety of factors such as the genre of the text, the subject matter, the expertise required for editing, and the deadline for the assignment, amongst other things.

At Blue Pencil, we work with authors all the time. Whether we publish your book or you choose to do it on your own, we guarantee that our efforts will enable you to put forward the best possible version of your work.

Check out our Editing Services

More to read on Blue Pencil

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Why Hiring a Professional Editor Frees You Up

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Why Do You Need a Professional Editor?

Why Hiring a Professional Editor Frees You Up

editing and proofreading - Blue Pencil Publishers

Hey there, fellow word wranglers and sentence sorcerers! 🎩✨

So, you’ve penned your masterpiece—a dazzling essay, a captivating novel, or perhaps a cheeky email to your boss (complete with cat GIFs). But wait! Before you hit that “send” button or submit your work, let’s talk about the unsung heroes of the literary world: professional editors and proofreaders. 📝🔍

  1. Error Elimination: Bye-Bye, Typos!

Picture this: You’re reading a gripping article about quantum physics, and suddenly, there it is—a rogue typo. Your brain stumbles, your coffee spills, and the universe wobbles. Fear not! A proofreader swoops in, wielding a red pen like a grammar ninja. Typos vanish, and clarity reigns supreme.

  1. Enhanced Clarity: Like GPS for Words

Editing isn’t just about fixing commas; it’s about guiding readers through your prose like a friendly GPS. “Turn left at the metaphor,” it whispers. “Avoid the semicolon pothole.” Suddenly, your convoluted sentences become scenic routes—smooth, picturesque, and sans traffic jams.

  1. Refined Readability: Dress Your Words in Their Sunday Best

Think of proofreading as a wardrobe makeover for your sentences. It swaps out “big words” for “just-right words.” Instead of “ameliorate,” you get “improve.” Your writing struts confidently, like a catwalk model in sensible shoes. Readers nod approvingly, thinking, “Ah, yes, this text speaks my language.”

  1. Accuracy and Credibility: Fact-Checking, Sherlock-Style

Ever quoted Einstein while misspelling “E=mc²”? Oops! A professional editor ensures your facts align like planets in a cosmic ballet. No more claiming that Shakespeare invented the light bulb (he didn’t; it was Edison). Accuracy breeds credibility, my friends!

  1. Professionalism: The Suit-and-Tie Effect

Imagine attending a job interview in pajamas. Unprofessional, right? Well-edited content is your virtual power suit. Whether it’s a business proposal or a Tinder bio (hey, love is serious business), polished writing screams, “I mean business!” 🕴️

  1. Increased Chances of Publication: The Golden Ticket

Authors, listen up! Publishers adore well-edited manuscripts. It’s like finding Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. Your book stands out, and agents do jazz hands of joy. “This one!” they exclaim. “This manuscript sparkles like unicorn glitter!”

  1. Time and Resource Savings: Delegate Like a Boss

Hiring an editor frees you up. While they untangle participles, you conquer other realms—like plotting world domination or binge-watching cat videos. Plus, editors have secret powers: they can spot plot holes and misplaced modifiers from a mile away.

  1. Editing is like Culinary Arts

Before we sign off, think of professional editing and proofreading like the culinary arts. Just as a master chef adds the perfect pinch of salt to transform a good dish into a culinary masterpiece, an editor sprinkles in commas, periods, and well-placed adjectives and tosses and turns your writeup wherever needed to turn solid prose into a feast for the mind. It’s the secret sauce that gives your writing that extra zing—making readers come back for seconds… and thirds! 🍲✨

professional editing and proofreading with blue pencil

In summary, dear wordsmiths, embrace the magic of editing and proofreading. Let your words waltz, tango, or breakdance—whatever suits their style. And remember, even Hemingway needed an editor (probably). So, go forth, conquer typos, and may your prose be as smooth as a jazz sax solo. 🎷📜

Blue Pencil’s commitment to excellence in proofreading and editing is evident in the personalized approach we take with every manuscript. Take a look at what our authors say about us.

Whether it’s a book manuscript – be it a novel, a children’s book, a research book on art or cinema, biography or a sports book, or a document – ranging from research articles, dissertations, PhD thesis or business document, our dedicated team of editors works employ their experience and expertise to not only correct errors but also elevate the writing to professional heights.

With Blue Pencil, clients can expect tailored proofreading and editing services that goes beyond mere revisions; it’s about refining and perfecting the content to ensure clear, concise, and impactful communication.📘✏️

 

Why Do You Need a Professional Editor?

editing and proofreading
The editor is able to spot redundancies, errors, typos and gaps in the manuscript

Writing a book is not an easy task but a remarkable achievement, which includes dedication, creativity, and hard work. Nevertheless, the job does not end upon the completion of the manuscript. You need to consider several points before your book is ready for publication.

The author must undertake several post-writing activities, such as proofreading, editing, and formatting, to ensure the content is error-free and well-structured. But typically, the author’s eyes that are so used to the content now, having been through it innumerable times, are likely to miss out on errors, redundancies, repetitions, typos and gaps. That’s where the services of an expert, a professional editor, are essential.

Hiring a professional editor is necessary for the success of your book. After all, an experienced editor can offer an unbiased and objective view of your work. They can also detect inconsistencies and recommend changes to help you to enhance your writing.

Check out some top reasons why you should hire the services of a professional editor below:

 Expertise

Professional editors have years of training and experience in editing books. Thus, they can assist you in improving your overall writing quality. These editors can also support you in polishing your writing style, ensuring consistency in your writing, and eliminating errors. These expert professionals can help you to make your book more engaging and appealing to readers.

 Save Time 

Editing your work can be time-consuming, apart from knowing where to stop. Professional editors work effectively and efficiently to save you valuable time. They ensure that your book is all set for publication. These professionals have adequate knowledge and experience to help you quickly produce a refined manuscript.

editing proofreading

 Fresh Perspective

Many of us as writers are so attached to the work that we stop being objective. Professional editors can provide a fresh and intriguing perspective and detect improvement areas writers might have missed. They can assist in viewing your work from a new angle and recommend changes to improve your overall writing quality.

 Improve Marketability

A professional editor can guide you to make your literary work more marketable. Such editors can help you to prepare a book, which impactful, relevant, and grammatically correct. They easily identify your target audience and suggest changes to make the content more appealing and engaging to readers. Their insights and experience can help you produce a distinct book that stands out from other literary works.

 Final Words

Hiring a professional editor from the highly-experienced Blue Pencil team will enhance the overall quality of your writing, increase the marketability of your book, and save you time. We offer top-notch professional editorial support to take your writing to the next level.

The company has years of expertise and experience to accomplish your publishing goals. You can produce a book that is free from errors and resonates with readers. Choose Blue Pencil Editorial Services for your upcoming writing project and know the difference that professional editing can make.

Find out more about Editorial Services here.

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Self-publish your Book, Reach Your Readers and Gain Access to a World of Infinite Possibilities

 

Tools for the New Writer

“The incurable itch of writing possesses many.”
– Juvenal, Satire VII
You are one of those people, always busy, having little time to stand and stare. There is hardly any time to claim as your own. Yet, deep within you is an itch to write. You wish you could stretch the limits of time so that you could sort out your thoughts, decoct the ideas and finally put them down on paper.

You may even be diffident about getting down to the task, when you finally find time. You are nagged by doubts, unsure of yourself, can’t really settle down to make a beginning.

But the itch knows no such reasoning. It refuses to go away, just because you are not able to make up your mind. How would you still this itch?

Try to write something
Take the tip from the well-known American writer William Faulkner who said, “Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”

The passion for the thing is what matters. You may ask when is the time to think, let alone write. Well, you really don’t have to keep a specified time for creative writing. You are driving to work, jogging in the morning, munching your lunch or enjoying your dinner–these are all occasions for creative thinking.

Think that is sheer balderdash? Then read on.

Did you know?
Agatha Christie, the famous writer of detective stories found that the best times for planning a book was while doing the dishes.

Virginia Woolf, the well-known British writer was known to have done most of the planning of her writings during bubble baths.

Getting ideas
Virginia Woolf got ideas about writing during bubble baths.

Where do you seek ideas? How about developing the art of listening? Why not sharpen your ears?

Then you get lot of ideas for creative work. You also gain an insight into the style of speaking of people.

Each one has some pet words; or expressions that comes to him readily. In Hindi, this is known as takkia kalaam.

That is what brings individuality to one’s conversation. Conversations are the seeds of creative writing. Take part in conversations- who knows you may end up with a good story idea or create a character out of the person with whom you are conversing.

Airports, railway stations and bus stands are also fertile sources of story ideas and anecdotes. An eagle’s eye would help you get ‘n’ number of stories from your daily activities.

Imagine you collide with a funny looking man in a market. He snubs you. Never mind, your next story is round the corner!

When you get an idea?
Record the idea the moment it strikes you. For ideas evaporate quickly. Don’t worry about organising it. You can do that later. Always carry a small pocket diary or a sheet of paper and a pen or a pencil. Something to write with. Get the ideas onto paper. You will then have the basic material required to write.

The secret of good writing
The more you write, the better you get at it.
So long, bye. Best of luck and happy writing.

This article was first published in Meghdutam.com (between 1999 to 2003).