Comments for Cover to Cover LLC

Comment on Nobody cares how great you are: Writing effective back cover copy for nonfiction by Lori Leavitt

Lori Leavitt — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 15:06:16 +0000

Nice post! Thanks for the tips on back cover copy and how to make it more about the reader and less about the author. Good advice!

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by susanedits

susanedits — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:17:58 +0000

Good points. This is why it’s important to shop for an editor who clicks with you and has the right skills for your project.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by susanedits

susanedits — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:15:23 +0000

I have a similar caveat for my critiques and substantive edits. Before they read anything, I tell them they’re not going to agree with me every time. At the end I elaborate on what they should do if they disagree.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by susanedits

susanedits — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:12:35 +0000

I learned a while back to try phrasing each suggestion as, well, a suggestion. Bad: “Delete this paragraph.” Better: “The passage will flow better if you delete this paragraph.” Better still: “The passage will flow better without this paragraph. Consider deleting.” Same message, but it emphasizes that the writer decides.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by Ed Godwin

Ed Godwin — Fri, 15 May 2015 19:43:39 +0000

In my experience, the #1 factor with an editor is trust. If you're fortunate (like me) to find an editor who has an eagle eye yet firmly believes in your story and you as a writer, then disagreeing isn't quite as big a deal. True, there's been times when I first disagreed then came back later to change my mind, but that had nothing to do with her. I just had to face the harsh reality that I had even more work to do. And my editor helped me get there by having faith in my ability to rise to the challenge.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by Rachel Daven Skinner

Rachel Daven Skinner — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 23:00:59 +0000

Great article. Your example with the love triangle is spot on. Content edits–whether you’re the professional doing the editing or the writer responding to them–are all about addressing the WHY of a problematic element rather than the blatant trouble spot itself.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by Karen Adams

Karen Adams — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 21:54:27 +0000

Gaiman has a point, and I think we as editors should signal that we recognize it. When I return a critique/edit, I almost always say: “I’ve pitched solutions for the issues I’ve noted — because it seems more helpful than just saying “this is wrong, fix it” — but that doesn’t mean I think mine is the best or only solution. It’s your book, they’re your characters, and you may very well have a better fix than me. In fact, most authors come up with fixes I never even thought of, so please feel free to speak your mind.” I’ve found that this approach means I get many fewer “OMG” email responses from clients, and many more “Okay, I see your point. What do you think about this?” responses. Stating it up front helps put the focus on the ms, on the issue, not my “fix” for it.

Comment on When you disagree with the editor by Erin Brenner

Erin Brenner — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:04:52 +0000

What authors and editors both frequently forget is that each edit is a recommendation. Unless there’s a publisher with more control than the author, the author doesn’t have to follow the editor’s suggestions.

Just remembering that fact can help make the edits seem much less threatening.

It also helps to remember that you’ve consulted an expert. Just as you wouldn’t toss off what your doctor says without proper consideration, you shouldn’t toss off what your editor says without consideration.

Comment on Word crimes, pet peeves, and judgment calls by susanedits

susanedits — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:12:51 +0000

I first heard the “needs [verbed]” construction in 1988. The speaker was from somewhere in Ohio. For whatever reason, I found it charming, not grating.

And yet, I grit my teeth every time somebody says “lay” when they mean “lie.” You’d think that one would be less offensive.

Comment on Word crimes, pet peeves, and judgment calls by Michael J. McFadden

Michael J. McFadden — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 02:22:40 +0000

I began hearing something here in Philadelphia about 20 years that grated painfully on my ears. The two people I noticed using it were (1) a fella from Pittsburgh, and (2) a gal from the Philippines. In the 20 years since then however I’ve heard it more, and more, and ever-painfully more. ::sigh::

The “something” is when someone leaves out “to be” in sentences like:

This window needs TO BE washed.

The car needs TO BE fixed.

Hmmm… while writing this just now I noticed that both examples that came to mind follow the verb “needs.” I *think* I may have heard it used with “wants” (as in “the dog wants walked.”) but “wants” is simply a less extreme form of “needs.”

Interesting.

- MJM