Proofreading myths exposed
There are some myths about proofreading that are untrue and need exposing and refuting.
Confused words: A to C
During proofreading I frequently come across some words that have been confused time and again. This is the first part of an occasional series looking at a few examples and … Continue Reading Confused words: A to C
Celebrity quotations on whisky
In praise of whisky / whiskey I am rather partial to a drop of whisky now and again (whiskey if you are Irish or American) and I am not alone … Continue Reading Celebrity quotations on whisky
Plurals of nouns: Some exceptional cases
You might think that it is a relatively easy matter of adding an ‘s’ to a noun in order to pluralize it, for example adding s to cat to form … Continue Reading Plurals of nouns: Some exceptional cases
Ten tips for getting the most out of your proofreader
The following tips for getting the most out of your freelance proofreader are based on those suggested on the website of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), with a … Continue Reading Ten tips for getting the most out of your proofreader
Gravestone epitaphs: Poets and writers
I have often found the epitaphs on gravestones and tombs that go beyond the simple details of name, life span, and relationships more interesting, and sometimes poignant, when they cover … Continue Reading Gravestone epitaphs: Poets and writers
Gravestone epitaphs: Entertainers
I have often found the epitaphs on gravestones and tombs that go beyond the simple details of name, life span, and relationships, more interesting, and sometimes poignant, when they cover … Continue Reading Gravestone epitaphs: Entertainers
Points to watch for when revising text
It is always good practice to revise and if necessary completely rewrite text in documents to ensure that they are accurate, concise, and the best they can be. Straightforward you might think and you might say “What could possibly go wrong?” Quite a lot actually. But in the process of review there are some hidden traps an author can fall into when using Find and Replace, or inserting or deleting text that can affect pagination.
Rhyming slang: Part 2 – International
Looking at the spread of rhyming slang to other English-speaking countries, especially those that had strong maritime links with the UK historically, such as Australia and USA.
Rhyming slang: Part 1 – Britain
Slang where words are replaced by a words or phrases with which they rhyme.
Proofreading services: Not just for publishers
Publishers are not the only ones that require and benefit from proofreading services. Below are a few instances of other people or bodies who can benefit from the attention and skill of an experienced proofreader, together with relevant links to my website for further information.
Proofreading questions answered
Proofreading is the last stage of the editing process for a document and should only be carried out once all other revisions by the author / contributors and amendments by the copy-editor have taken place. Proofreading therefore has an important role in publishing and business as it is the last chance to correct any errors before the book or document is published.
Synaesthesia – tasting your words
Oxford Dictionary of English defines this as “the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body”. For instance, sights or sounds might evoke sensations of taste or colour.
Pen names and other authorship devices
A pen name, also known as a nom de plume, is an assumed name used by a writer instead of their own real name. It can also be a variant form of their real name and might be known only to the publisher or might be widely known.
Tips for writers: Using italics
Roman (that is upright type) is the standard text typeface, but for various reasons italic type (that is slanted to the right) is adopted. This is often to indicate some form of departure from normal text for the reader to interpret the word or words in a certain way.
British monarchs defined by their nicknames
A nickname is “a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name” (Oxford English Dictionary). So what do the nicknames of past kings and queens of Britain say about them?
