So you want to be a writer-you've written a book, or you're just starting to get your ideas down. But in the back of your mind, you know the time is coming-that dreaded moment when an editor first reads your work, wielding their red pen of doom. Will your book hold up under scrutiny? Will you lose all hope and give up if your manuscript ends up riddled with corrections? Is it even worth it to go on from here, faced with this inevitable and mysterious trial? What if you knew in advance what your editor was going to be looking for? What if you had a "cheat sheet" for the exam they'll be putting your book through? What if you could get your pointers straight from an editor and polish your manuscript in advance? In this book, Ellen King gives you that "cheat sheet"-a 15-item list of things to watch out for, work on, and clean up. Having edited countless books-the brain children of authors just like you-she gives you 15 pointers representing the most common pitfalls you might be making without realizing it. With clear explanations and examples, Ellen shows you the mistakes she has seen, explains why they create problems for your book, and then offers examples of other ways to get your ideas across. Her solutions show you the best possible way to effectively connect with your readers.
