September was an incredibly busy month: six books completed, several initial manuscript reviews carried out, a new project started with a first-time author and some time spent learning Atticus. BooksFirst up for the month was Carol Hellier’s follow-up to The Enforcer, the first book in her new gangland series for Boldwood Books. The title andContinue reading “September in review”
Author Archives: Gary Jukes | Copyeditor & Proofreader
Could Self-Publishing Be Right for Your Novel?
You’ve finished your novel (or you’re getting close) and now comes another big decision: what are you going to do with it? Self-publishing gives you the chance to shape the book from manuscript to finished copy. You can choose the cover, set the publication date and decide what goes in or gets taken out. IfContinue reading “Could Self-Publishing Be Right for Your Novel?”
Eggcorns – The Language Mistakes That Almost Make Sense
‘Let’s nip it in the butt.’ Language is constantly evolving and adapting to the whims of its speakers, and as a result it’s not surprising to encounter linguistic phenomena that both confound and amuse us. One such delightful linguistic quirk is the eggcorn. An eggcorn arises when a word or phrase is misheard or reinterpretedContinue reading “Eggcorns – The Language Mistakes That Almost Make Sense”
Does Bigger Equal Better?
Does using bigger words mean a better book? In this blog, I’ll look at the pros and cons of using complicated language.
What’s wrong with this picture?
A blog on the dangers of making assumptions.
Editing: Does it pay to be an avid reader?
As an editor, does it pay to be an avid reader? Maybe…
October in review
October was a very busy month, but I still found time for a short break to celebrate my 50th birthday (no idea where the time has gone!). A long weekend break in Shrewsbury was just what I needed to recharge after a very busy September, but once back home the work started up again inContinue reading “October in review”
Practice Makes Perfect
Do you know the difference between practice and practise? Let’s find out in this latest blog.
Acronyms vs Initialisms
What’s the difference between an acronym and an initialism, and how do you use them correctly when writing? Let’s find out.
Don’t leave me stranded
Can you end a sentence with a preposition? Winston Churchill certainly didn’t think so. But let’s find out!
They’re Over There in Their Car
How do you avoid mixing up these three little words? Let’s find out.
Apostrophes
How do you correctly use the humble apostrophe? Let’s find out in today’s blog.
The Split Infinitive
What are split infinitive verbs, and what do they have to do with Star Trek? Read on to find out!
Less versus Fewer
When do you use less or fewer, and does sticking to the rule really matter? Let’s find out!
Why do I need a proofreader?
There’s a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in some cases it could be worth thousands of pounds of lost business. A misplaced letter here or a minor error in grammar there, and before you know it you’ve lost the trust of your customers. Everyone makes mistakes. All it takes isContinue reading “Why do I need a proofreader?”
