Looking for an editor

I'm looking for an editor/proofer/ general feedback and comments on a piece. It is 7580 words/ 13 pages in Microsoft word. This is only my second published story so any help would be appreciated. I have run it through two different grammar/ proofing programs. Please message me if interested and I can give more details.

Thank you in advance,

if you haven't gotten an answer yet, I might be able to help. I still miss stuff in my own stories so don't expect perfection. Mostly Missing matching quotation marks and occasionally an end-of-paragraph period.

I do have ancestor experience though. My grandfather was a proofreader for the Oakland Tribune for many years until he was 85. So I have that going for me.

Quote by Etype

I have my stories rejected for my poor grammar and punctuation, I would dearly appreciate some editing help. If anyone would like to read my story first to see if its something you might like to help with please message me and Thank You

I know that feeling well, but I would suggest that it is worth persevering on your own (until you are really stuck) as you will improve and with time get to that point where you sneak over the acceptance standard, and when that happens you get a surge of confidence and a thrust of energy to write your next story.

Here is my experience...

I started from a low standard, trust me, I have been rejected many times by the moderators, as I fall down one grammar hole, climbed out and fall down the next. I found it surprising to learn, (most of the time) the moderators were right! But I have listened and learned and lately (perhaps even more surprisingly), I have managed to get my stories over that acceptance line in one hit.

Here are the things I have learned to do so far, (I have now adapted from another post I made here), but I hope it might help others here who want to make the acceptance standard.

1). Listen to what the moderator says when you are rejected. It is the golden rule. I don't want to sound preachy, but if they send you a link to read, try to read it. I am guilty of not doing that.

2). Write, read, check, correct and check, correct, check, correct and so on. I spend on average 7x longer checking and correcting than I do ever actually writing. Yes, it is frustrating and yes it can take some of the joy out of writing but you will get better at it and that number should slowly reduce. I hope so!

3). Use the free tools available on the web. Among others, there are, Grammarly and ProWriting Aid (free versions), and I use both. Though I need to add 10% of the time they fight each other so it comes down to a judgement call. Of the two, I find ProWriting better for grammar, it likes commas, full stops, ellipsis (my favourite downfall) and punctuation in general. So if that is the area you are getting rejected for, use that software. My general rule is, to put in all the extra punctuation the software demands. While Grammarly, certainly doesn't demand so many commas, full-stops etc but it picks up missing words better. So it is best to use the two.

4). Once finished, read your story aloud. Does it flow right? I struggle with this, having the newfound superpower of not necessarily reading the words that are actually on the page! I have now started using the free Immersive Reader, which either comes with Word or is available in Microsoft Notebook online. It helps me with the words I naturally miss when reading. I also suggest once you are happy with it, put it to one side and read it again, fresh, maybe the next day, and ask the question, is it as good today as it was yesterday?

There is one more, it is the same one as I opened with, listen to what the moderators say... They are (in general) very helpful and have often pointed me in the right direction.

I have the same problem they are pretty strict on punctuation

I will have to agree with a couple of comments. My first story was rejected, and I disagreed with many of their points. But I let it sit for a couple of days; I stewed about what they said was wrong with my incredible story..

Then when I had a few days of it just sitting there, I opened it and read it.. Yup, they were right.

Hello I am new to this group, thought I was a good writer but had so many grammar errors! Can someone help?

Quote by Mjh121

Hello I am new to this group, thought I was a good writer but had so many grammar errors! Can someone help?

Before i even think about submitting a story I do the following:

Let it sit for at least an entire day and then proofread it, very slowly. That ensures that I read what I wrote, not what I meant.

Run it through the free versions of Languagetool and then Grammarly. There are several, good online editing and proofreading checkers; those are the two I use. They aren't foolproof and sometimes disagree because AI is never perfect; however, an unbiased, virtual eye is always helpful.

Go over every word and phrase in a quick read, asking myself if this phrase or that word is clumsy or could be improved.

Double-check word tenses for consistency.

For me, that knocks out probably 80% of my errors.

Quote by wxt55uk

I know that feeling well, but I would suggest that it is worth persevering on your own (until you are really stuck) as you will improve and with time get to that point where you sneak over the acceptance standard, and when that happens you get a surge of confidence and a thrust of energy to write your next story.

Here is my experience...

I started from a low standard, trust me, I have been rejected many times by the moderators, as I fall down one grammar hole, climbed out and fall down the next. I found it surprising to learn, (most of the time) the moderators were right! But I have listened and learned and lately (perhaps even more surprisingly), I have managed to get my stories over that acceptance line in one hit.

Here are the things I have learned to do so far, (I have now adapted from another post I made here), but I hope it might help others here who want to make the acceptance standard.

1). Listen to what the moderator says when you are rejected. It is the golden rule. I don't want to sound preachy, but if they send you a link to read, try to read it. I am guilty of not doing that.

2). Write, read, check, correct and check, correct, check, correct and so on. I spend on average 7x longer checking and correcting than I do ever actually writing. Yes, it is frustrating and yes it can take some of the joy out of writing but you will get better at it and that number should slowly reduce. I hope so!

3). Use the free tools available on the web. Among others, there are, Grammarly and ProWriting Aid (free versions), and I use both. Though I need to add 10% of the time they fight each other so it comes down to a judgement call. Of the two, I find ProWriting better for grammar, it likes commas, full stops, ellipsis (my favourite downfall) and punctuation in general. So if that is the area you are getting rejected for, use that software. My general rule is, to put in all the extra punctuation the software demands. While Grammarly, certainly doesn't demand so many commas, full-stops etc but it picks up missing words better. So it is best to use the two.

4). Once finished, read your story aloud. Does it flow right? I struggle with this, having the newfound superpower of not necessarily reading the words that are actually on the page! I have now started using the free Immersive Reader, which either comes with Word or is available in Microsoft Notebook online. It helps me with the words I naturally miss when reading. I also suggest once you are happy with it, put it to one side and read it again, fresh, maybe the next day, and ask the question, is it as good today as it was yesterday?

There is one more, it is the same one as I opened with, listen to what the moderators say... They are (in general) very helpful and have often pointed me in the right direction.

Well written and very helpful! Thank you!

I’ve tied to publish three stories. All returned. I got some help from an editor, they completely fixed it, I submitted it, and it was pushed back again.

I wanted to share my experiences. But it’s not worth it.

Quote by LisaD69

I’ve tied to publish three stories. All returned. I got some help from an editor, they completely fixed it, I submitted it, and it was pushed back again.

I wanted to share my experiences. But it’s not worth it.

Hi Lisa, I understand your frustration. I have been there.

Did the moderator give you a reason why your stories were being rejected? They have always told me (and most have helped me). What they say should be the starting point in correcting your story.

I have written above, how I manage to get my stories published. It does take time and a lot of editing but it works for me.

If you are still not sure what is wrong, put your story into one of the auto-readers and listen to it being read to you. It is a good starting point as if you are like me, what you write is not always what you read.

Quote by LisaD69

I’ve tied to publish three stories. All returned. I got some help from an editor, they completely fixed it, I submitted it, and it was pushed back again.

The one story you had help with was returned to you because of non-consent, not because of any formal issues, Lisa.

Authors, please keep the ToS/site rules in mind! If your editors are not familiar with Lush rules, consider giving them a heads-up and ask them to not just check your spelling and grammar, but to also alert you to possible conflicts re:content.

Hello this is construction65 i need some help with my last story i have in in my drafts becoming a blackened hotwife part twi can you help me with this Thank you Bob

Hello this is. Const 65 i need sone hp.with my story it has been rejeted its in my drafts

The story im drafts is becoming a b k acked hot wife becomed yrue part teo thank you Bob

Quote by construction65

Hello this is. Const 65 i need sone hp.with my story it has been rejeted its in my drafts

The story im drafts is becoming a b k acked hot wife becomed yrue part teo thank you Bob

I coukd use an editor simce my story was rejected thznk.you Bob

Quote by enigma2010

I'm looking for an editor/proofer/ general feedback and comments on a piece. It is 7580 words/ 13 pages in Microsoft word. This is only my second published story so any help would be appreciated. I have run it through two different grammar/ proofing programs. Please message me if interested and I can give more details.

Thank you in advance,

you are welcome

come to me

I'm also looking for a proof reader, mainly punctuation and grammar. since english is my 2nd language i tend to mix up punctuation rules. also the grammar AIs seem to overly simplify my writing.

I.have been told to.ask.fir help.which.i have but my drafts cant be accessed and administrators keep. Turning my stories down and i have read everything that i have bern told yet no.matter what i do.they keep turning me down if anyond has ideas to.help.me i would apprea it

I too was recommended an editor, though my own laziness is more to blame.

What should I do? My work is stored on Google Docs.

Quote by enigma2010

I'm looking for an editor/proofer/ general feedback and comments on a piece. It is 7580 words/ 13 pages in Microsoft word. This is only my second published story so any help would be appreciated. I have run it through two different grammar/ proofing programs. Please message me if interested and I can give more details.

Thank you in advance,

Do a word Spell and grammar, then Grammarly - though that is grumpy if you aren't using US-EN

Quote by eh99NZ

Do a word Spell and grammar, then Grammarly - though that is grumpy if you aren't using US-EN

Grammarly and all other major AI spellcheckers have the options to switch US and UK English, and some of them even offer AUS, CAN, and IND. Just go to "Settings".

Quote by cydia
CAN

Lack of proper Canadian proofing toolshas been my beef with a lot of software though the situation has improved a lot in recent years. I have Canadian English as an option in LibreOffice for instances. But there still seem to be some who don't realize Canadian English is a thing. We have migrated to US for some things but are still UK for others. I actually use UK if there isn't a Canadian option.

Quote by Seeker4
But there still seem to be some who don't realize Canadian English is a thing.

Tie them to a chair and force them to watch all 12 seasons of Letterkenny.

Politely, of course.

Quote by cydia

Tie them to a chair and force them to watch all 12 seasons of Letterkenny.

Politely, of course.

Pitter-patter, let's get at 'er!