editing

Editing, Editing, Editing . . .

by

Well the next test print copy of Focused Fandom: Fanart, Fanartists, and Careers is queued up.  I found a few errors that I wanted to fix, but not many.  A few cover issues, a few internal formatting issues, and some diddly stuff.  My editor, Ellen, did a pretty damn good job I have to say.

I almost forgot what this is like, editing a print copy, and now I remember why it was such a pain.  When you’re down to asking yourself about 1/8 inch in a margin or how to space a line break for a bullet point, the fun somehow goes right out the window and falls to its death.

It’s a 346+ page MONSTER right now, and will probably retail for $24.95 or so.  This thing is freaking huge.

Oh, and really?  Good gift material, just sayin’ . . .

Next up, looking over the test print copy of Focused Fandom: Cosplay, Costuming, and Careers!

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach.  He blogs on careers at http://www.fantopro.com/, nerd and geek culture at http://www.nerdcaliber.com/, and does a site of creative tools at http://www.seventhsanctum.com/. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/.

 

 

Focused Fandom Countdown: 5 Weeks To Go

by

So here I sit, waiting for my editor’s notes.

Weirdly, this is also the point where you realize, “oh hell, it’s happening.”

Suddenly you remember all the extra stuff you have to do, like checking every single link that will be  turned into a functional URL.  Or maybe you remember to update your author profile.

This is when formatting comes into play and you start remembering those little things you did last time to make it all work.  You remember the breaks, or the bullet points (have I mentioned enough that bullet points are  a pain to convert among eBook formats and readers?) or some other trauma.

So many different things to do.  Here’s how I’m trying to deal with it: checklists.

Really.  Checklists.  Think of how much you learn the first time you do something?  So why not write it down and store it somewhere so you’ll remember it?  Or at least find it again AFTER you need it so you can use it the next time.

As strange as it may sounds, this is actually a common in many professional areas, and is advocated by a lot of experts on good organization.

So, make that checklist.  It’ll give you peace of mind, keep you from forgetting things, and will let you get your writing done.

. . . once you find it again.  Just put it in a place that you’ll remember it.

– Steven Savage

 

T-24 Days: Oh, Editing

by

24 Days Until Cosplay, Costuming, and Careers comes out!

So I'm blowing half this weekend editing.

The reason I do this is I find it easy to edit in one, huge lump.  I get into the "zone," I get focused, I notice things, see patterns.  Admittedly after 180+ pages I'm probably going to be hallucinating things as well and become convinced semicolons are out to get me.

This is also a tricky time as the book isn't being edited in a "normal" fashion, but I'm taking feedback on the go.  This is because, simply, I'm experimenting with how I can streamline my writing process.  There's a chance I'm going to be so horrified after this weeked I might slow down.

But knowing me?  Probably not.

– Steven Savage