One more time, please.

From your editor:

The Internet is an amazing technology, isn't it? We are able to have information, good and bad, at our fingertips within seconds. Beats all those Saturday afternoons in the library research area. But then, I would have missed that dark haired, dark eyed cute boy from the school across town... oh well, I digress.

With the Internet comes the curse of unfiltered -- everything. How do you determine which news is the actual news and which news is manufactured? Is what you are seeing real or another remake of "The Blair Witch Project"?

Slowly, but surely, I'm coming to my point. With the advent of the Internet, publishing one's written work becomes easy. There's no need to send off a manuscript and wait for nearly a year to be told, 'thanks but no thanks' [if you get anything at all.] Now, you can thumb your nose at the publishing institution and put your work out there by yourself; unedited, unproofed and bearing enough errors to make people wonder if what you are purporting to write is a farce or real.

More often than not, I've sent manuscripts back to the author asking them to do one more edit. I'm not mean; I'm particular. Each book published by RoguePhoenixPress has gone through the editing wringer. To ensure a positive recognition of the publisher and their goal, we editors are asked to set a very high bar.

When you are asked to re-edit your work, know it is the goal of this publisher to make sure every book that goes 'public' is beyond reproach. This is the reason your manuscript will be seen by five (5) pair of eyes before the public gets their chance. While many people edit, proof, and set up copy, the final product is up to the writer to approve. Make sure this is what you want to represent you.

The best way to make sure you don't have to 're-write' your manuscript is to send it in with as few errors as possible.

What is Not the Editor's Job

Spell checking your document. If you don't have the app on your computer, use an old fashioned dictionary [a thesaurus helps, too.].

Deciding which Point of View your story should take - First person; third person, present, past. Again, something the author should decide before putting words on paper/computer.

Not all of us are grammar wizards; just do your best.

If you opt to have 'readers', make sure they are knowledgeable; preferably not related or your best friend. You want someone who might ultimately review your work. More than likely they will give you an honest opinion.

One last thought... the work you turn in to the publisher, be they print or online, is this what you want to show how good/bad your writing is? Exactly as you have turned it in?

Many writers are under the impression the publishing house will fix all the errors. That is not the job of the publishing house. It is the job of the author.

The Internet has been a blessing... and a curse. Make it work for you, not against you.

Sable Angel