Using an easy-to-reference format, experienced editor Michael Seidman shows writers how to approach fiction editing from three angles: macro editing, style editing and market editing. Writers will learn to reread their manuscript paying close attention to the continuity of narrative elements, such as point of view, characterization, sequencing and dialogue. After revising and rearranging these elements, writers will edit stylistic aspects, scanning their work with foolproof techniques that ensure proper spelling, grammar and word choice.
This guide also teaches how to edit work from a marketing perspective, so writers can keep the expectations of their readership firmly in mind as they title their manuscripts and write their submissions.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Clean Up Your Fiction:
We met Michael several years ago at a workshop and shared a common interest in photography.
Mr. Seidman is not so dull in person as his academia style would lead you to believe. If faced with rejection after rejection, a day or two spent with THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO EDITING YOUR FICTION will be of great benefit. He takes you step by step through the revision, rewriting, and editing process. In the end there are no short cuts, it takes hard work and the courage to face the brutal reality that your first... more info
A Frustrating, Unfocused Mess of a Guide:
Mr. Seidman may have years of experience as a valued editor, but teaching what one has learned is another matter, and a book like this will only frustrate many readers. To be sure, the chapter on "Three Case Studies" is good, as is the chapter on "Further Revising" and the "Checklist," but the rest of it is just a muddled wish-wash. Take the chapter on Point of View. First he presents a full page of an example of omniscient first person, then he explains first and third person limited with no examples,... more info
We all need a little help now and then:
All writers need a little help now and then. Seidman's book is intended to give that help. It's not a bad work for starters, and even has some reminders for old hands. Perhaps a few new items for the latter, too. After all, none of us knows everything. However, there were some problems with this book that could be stumbling blocks. For instance, here and there sentences appear that don't seem to make much sense along with quite a number of sentence fragments. There are also a few too many editorial... more info
What would Max Perkins say?:
As Lewis Jackman (Jeff Chandler) said to Allison MacKenzie (Carol Lynley) in 1961's RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE, "I want to be your Max Perkins or at least try." I think this is a good book because it may bring many aspects of your writing to your own attention when you analyze how your words may be viewed from different perspective readers. I think it is important that the audience that you aim interpret the intent of your words correctly. Thus, edit away. Style is also very important. If you examine the works... more info
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