My Suggestions, Your Decision

BY PETRA RITCHIE

No matter how many times you re-read something you’ve written, your mind’s eye will “see” what you meant to write, not what was actually written. That’s why I call my editing/proofreading service “Fresh Eyes.”

During my initial contact with an author, I want to know who the target audience will be. I also make it clear that this is his/her manuscript. If the author does not agree with my opinion, he/she is free to not accept it, but I do ask that the author read each correction before and after in order to determine why the correction was made and which version makes more sense.

I use a red pen and at first glance there may seem to be many, many corrections, however, a lot of them are repeat corrections for the same error.

I need the manuscript printed out, double-spaced, on one side of the paper. This will allow room for the corrections between the lines.

As I read the manuscript, I write what I call “Side Lines” on a separate sheet of paper. These are comments that are too lengthy to write on the manuscript itself.

When completed, the author can look it over and we’ll have what I call a “sit down” during which we will discuss the “Side Lines” and I will answer any questions the author may have.

Petra Ritchie is a freelance editor for IBJ Book Publishing. Email her at petraritchie@msn.com.