Creating a Book Index: Part of Professional Manuscript Editing Services?

Is creating a book index something you can expect from book editors and professional manuscript editing services? Book editors and indexers are separate breeds of people. Their skill sets do not overlap. If you are a scholar or technical writer who has authored a complex book, you will need an index—and a professional indexer. Well, how about self-indexing, you ask? ... Read More

How to Write a Book Glossary (Nonfiction)

Authors sometimes ask me, their editor, how to write a book glossary for their nonfiction manuscript. The first step is to make a list of all the technical or trade terms that come to mind off the top of your head that you want your reader to learn and remember. Expand this list by going through the book after it ... Read More

How NOT to Use a Thesaurus—the Problem of Wrong Connotation

Here is a writing mistake I see often as a book editor. A client uses—or rather, misuses—hundred-dollar words to, supposedly, elevate her manuscript. She wants to dress the writing up, to make it sound professional, so she adds in fancy words from the thesaurus instead of going with simple words used in everyday speech. Let’s talk about how not to ... Read More

Introduction vs. Foreword—Which Does Your Nonfiction Book Need?

If you’re a new author confused about the spelling of Foreword, you’ve got a lot of company. If you’re confused about its meaning, you’ve got even more. The word is written Foreword, not Forward. An Introduction is different entirely, though many people think it’s the same thing. This article will explain the meaning and correct use of each of these ... Read More

The Cure for Writer’s Block

Do you need a cure for writer’s block? Do you find writing a chore? Do your words come out sounding awkward, while your ideas come out sounding vague or confused? You may be the victim of a bad writing habit that afflicts millions of people: trying to be creative and self-critical at the same time. The problem is this: the ... Read More