Be advised and frugal with your time to send in polished manuscripts

This book is engaging and fun to read. It answers the questions you have been considering researching someday as you write and wonder if you are doing the right thing. As I read, I learned answers to questions I didn’t know I had been thinking about.
This book will help you be frugal with you time. It may be used as a research book by consulting the index for all your projects.

Don’t turn in any manuscript without first reading this book. This book will help polish any writing piece.
The author suggests it is important to be open to accepting suggested edits. The difference between an editor and a someone who reads to find typos is well-explained in this book. You might need both!
The author explains:
*Writers should use Word editing, but not rely on it alone.
*Manual and digital proof-reading and editing are both important.
*Step-by-step information is provided for editing in Word.
*Books and web sites that will help a writer are recommended, as well.
*The difference between save and save as when naming manuscripts is explained. This is important to know so work is not accidentally lost.
Howard-Johnson explains why a manuscript should be edited for only one with one kind of edit at a time. The editing is never done!
Did you know the whole publishing world dislikes the term fictional novel? Novels, by definition, are fiction. Other terms the “whole publishing world” dislikes are also discussed to help writers avoid newbie mistakes.
To start a book title with the word the, or not? Certain issues arise if the title of your book starts with the (or a or an).
The author divulges agents’ pet peeves!
The book includes humor, such as this sentence: “Though find function is not a therapist, yours can help you with your personal oddities.”

She explains the passive voice isn’t all bad, and examples of times it can be used are provided. The author gives the link to Rutgers University, which gives examples of how politicos and others use passive to weasel out of stuff.

If you write nonfiction exclusively, did you know more nonfiction writers are using dialogue than ever before?
Ten easy ways to improve your dialogue are listed and explained.
Maybe you want to “Get Rid of Dialogue Migraines?”

Legitimate uses for the ampersand are given. The green grocer’s apostrophe is discussed to help avoid incorrect phrases such as, “Avocado’s Sold Here.”

The author says rules and guidelines for print and the Web are galaxies apart, and to think of them as different genres. Speaking of the web, she explains how to avoid Internet shams and scams.
Guidelines for sending your submission packages by e-mail or snail mail are also discussed.
This book is invaluable! ( )

As the literary market continues to tighten its proverbial belt, today's writer must assume more of the responsibilities surrounding book publishing than ever before. No longer can a writer depend on a publisher or agent to accept a manuscript in need of editing, and submitting a manuscript that isn't as near perfect as possible will, in all probability, result in rejection. To the rescue comes acclaimed author Carolyn Howard-Johnson with The Frugal Editor, the latest in her How to Do It Frugally series. This little gem is a must-have for any writer, published or not, bestselling or unknown. Filled with valuable tips, The Frugal Editor touches on all aspects of self-editing, such as how to spot common grammatical errors, from superfluous adverbs to confusing dangling participles, as well as how to organize the workspace, format the manuscript, and use Word's tools to the fullest. Also included are sample query and cover letters, and pointers on correcting intrusive taglines, when to use an ellipsis, and correct spacing, to name a few. The book takes the reader step-by-step through the editing process, from rough draft to galley. No questions are left unanswered, no topics left uncovered. This generous writer goes so far as to recommend resources through other books and websites, with plenty of advice from agents and editors.

The Frugal Editor is one of those reference books every writer should have by their computer for constant use and study. Highly recommended. ( )

Reviewed by Reina Santana for Reader Views 7/2007

A Great Resource for Novice or Experienced Writers

Like many writers, you have probably experienced the horror of finding a dangling participle, or other hideous grammatical error, in a cover letter that you thought was perfect. Where did it come from? According to Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Editor, these errors are caused by gremlins “determined to keep authors’ works from being published.” Do gremlins really exist? If you are a writer, you may bet your life on it. The good news is there is hope. Writers can beat the gremlins at their own game.

The Frugal Editor is a wonderful resource for writers on a tight budget. It is also a practical guide for anyone writing marketing and publicity copy. Novice writers will be eternally grateful for the humiliation they will avoid, and experienced writers will keep it on-hand as a refresher course. The book teaches readers how to review their work and find those grammatical errors that discredit their work. Howard-Johnson does a great job of explaining the role and importance of an editor. She equips readers with the knowledge they need to dig out copy errors and make the editing process easier. She provides writing guidelines, techniques, and handy sidebar tips that will make a better writer out of anyone putting them into practice. If you are like me, you will learn how to identify, and remedy, your writing weaknesses. I earmarked my copy within the first couple of pages. I liked this book so much I purchased Howard-Johnson’s other book The Frugal Book Promoter. ( )