Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I used Grammarly to grammar check this post because one pair of eyes is never enough when it comes to proofreading.

It must be pure serendipity that I would discover Grammarly, which advertises itself as the world’s best grammar checker, this week. It just so happens that I was thinking that my next post would be about one of my biggest pet peeves: sloppily written books.
Now I, like most writers, spend a lot of time rereading, revising and rewriting everything I write. This goes for novels, letters and little posts like this one. I hate it when I miss a typo, or punctuation error, or any other grammatical mistake. So I try so hard to make sure I get them all. I don’t, of course.
The fact is that no writer does. The more you write, the more mistakes you will make, and the more mistakes you will end up missing when you reread your own work. Now the quantity of mistakes in a given texts often has little to do with the writing ability of the author. Unfortunately, even the best writers will miss some of their own errors, and need an outsider or two to review their writing for them.
I’m sure this is not news to most people reading this. Everyone who has tried to sell anything they wrote has been warned about the perils of sloppy writing, and the concomitant need for top-notch proof-reading. Despite how obvious this is, in book after book that I’ve read the past few months I still find mistakes that are so obvious that I wonder how the writers (or their proof-readers) could have missed them.
What do these books have in common? They are for the most part self-published or published by small presses. Perhaps these authors did not want to spend a lot of money on proofreaders, but they often leave the results on the page, like an ugly stain in the middle of a beautiful painting.
The irony is that many of these books are extremely good. These authors often show as much story-telling skill as the best-sellers or most critically acclaimed literary giants. Mainstream publishing houses can only put out so many books, and self-publishing allows readers to discover talented writers who may have otherwise toiled in obscurity. However, what can be worse than picking up a book and getting slapped in the face with typos and grammatical errors on page after page? No matter how talented the writer, or how enjoyable the story, this thoroughly ruins the experience of reading.
One of the benefits of the many self-publishing tools that are available on-line is that texts can be revised and corrected constantly. If I could be so bold as to ask a favor of all those authors who’ve received a comment from readers about mistakes found in their books: go back and correct them. Get a friend (or several) to reread your work with a fine-toothed comb if you can not spend the money on a professional proof-reading service. Make your future readers happy. Leave them savoring the great story you just told, or the wonderful ease with language that you have. Do not leave them shaking their heads at the glaring mistakes that pollute your writing.
(For those who are wondering, I have already had to take my own advice.)

Concomitant. I've learned a new word today.

Unfortunately, for every good writer who strives to do their work justice with editing services and revisions, there seems to be one who harps on about not letting anyone else mess with their "voice" or that seem to think people should just overlook the grammar and spelling as if it doesn't matter. It's unfortunate that these people are giving validation to the Big 5's stance that self and indie-published works aren't worth people's money.

Yeah, I thought I was the only one that had to look it up. Concomitant.

I concur with you both.

Well articulated points. Enjoyed reading your insights.

I would offer my opinion on the following:

Gabriel wrote: "What do these books have in common? They are for the most part self-published or published by small presses. ...."

Welcome to the monkey-house :(

Gabriel wrote: "The irony is that many of these books are extremely good. These authors often show as much story-telling skill as the best-sellers or most critically acclaimed literary giants...."

According to whom, though? According to what standard? Mere consumerism? Especially proper question to ask, since e-pub is going to primarily be a venue for 'franchise' books; serial-fiction; young-adult, and genre fiction like vampires, BDSM, or whatever other pop-fad comes along. That's where its headed. So does it even matter whether they're good or not? Its like, having the gift of musical talent but being limited to a kazoo. Its like saying, "hey we're fine with the death of orchestra halls, if it means more boy-bands can get discovered"

Gabriel wrote: "One of the benefits of the many self-publishing tools that are available on-line is that texts can be revised and corrected constantly. ...."

Pardon me, but I see this as one of the biggest drawbacks. In fact, its a disaster. Where is the accountability for what one writes? Where is the authority? Where is the supervision and oversight, and the means of redress for publishing disinformation and causing possible harm?

When an author can cover over their mistakes and errors its simply an environment where the liar can prosper; the fool and the tout can wreak their havoc; and the foul can slink away from their deeds instead of being held responsible. What I want from books is truth. Corroboration. Veracity. Integrity. From the first stroke of the pen on the page, to the unpacking of the box on the bookstore display table. Otherwise books are no better than TV.

Overall, I'm very dubious towards those who praise the advent of e-books. The common oversight seems to be that no one seems to recognize that any slackening of publishing standards can cause a rippling effect throughout all publishing. It can't just be contained to e-formats. Its astounding that folks want to open this kind of pandora's box; in an age when we're already drowning in disinformation.

As publishers cut corners and more self-publish, the proofreading and continuity errors increase. The value of outside editing CANNOT be stressed enough. And not friends (unless that friend is able and willing to be honest about weak plot points or flow)

I know the author has finished a book and is excited but it is not done until it has been edited multiple times. Patience and work are WORTH the effort to deliver a better quality product to the readers

I don't think anyone strives to produce a book that isn't their best--authors and editors and publishers. The problem is in short-circuiting the process you bypass important checkpoints. An editor can help you fix your spelling, syntax, voice, consistency, logical flow, story and character development. A publisher can help you get a book that is printable into one that is publishable and marketable.

Self-publishing is great for those who have access to the tools and resources to fix their book. But there are scads of books published by self-publishers which admittedly aren't ready for publication.

When I read a self-published book, the thing that usually stops me from enjoying it are the elementary issues. Misspellings. Misunderstood words which aren't just misspelled, such as "Wallah!" for "Voila!" Names that change from chapter to chapter. Tangled syntax, verb-noun disagreements, sentences that are just jumbled words. Story notes that become part of the novel. Then there is that sense of "I'm never going to get my time back." Sure, the novel contains few, if any, errors. But the plot just isn't there. The characters are wooden and trite. The dialog is simply horrible. The plot twists are driven by the writer, not the logic of the story.

Someone who wants to print their book has the tools to do so. A careful writer will also work to include the necessary checkpoints so the book is worth reading--and buying.

I agree with all the points made above.
Especially that poor writing and badly-constructed rushed into print books are spoiling the waters for everyone who has done their homework, revisions, spell-checks, line edits, etc.
Its kind of like fanfiction---for those you know or read that.
With all that being said...I say bring it on.
Bad writing will eventually sink into sludge, no sales no visibility. Everyone's excited now: I can publish a book!
And dang--so you can!
It may not happen in a year--but eventually the dross, as I said, will sink and the really fine works float to the top.
Once the excitement and novelty has settled, the real writers will still be there.

Yes! Unfortunately too many authors rush to self publish, and do not treat their novel with the professionalism required, when you expect people to pay money for your product.

You cannot edit your own work. You need an outside editor. A proof reader is quite a different creature to an editor, especially a good editor who also looks at pacing, character development and plot (along with spelling/grammar).

I shudder every time I hear someone has just finished their first draft, and the next day it is thrown up on Amazon so they can "get feedback on spelling, grammar and plot". Unfortunately such people will continue to tarnish the reputation of self publishers and small presses.

Personally I always use the sample function on Amazon, before paying for a book. I have been put off several times by stilted writing, head hopping, excessive use of adverbs and terrible spelling.