There are two things that could cause an editor or publisher to cringe! Imagine how many manuscripts they must get per week. Hundreds! Now try to imagine, after going through all those, how tired they are of reading -- then they come across a manuscript with spelling and grammatical errors. I'm sure they would slap a huge REJECTED notice on it. Wouldn't you?
So many writers believe that they do not have to spend time checking their grammar or spelling because when they submit their work, the editors will fix it for them. Those days are long gone. The publishing industry has changed dramatically since those of yore. Publishing houses have merged and there are simply not enough editors to do that type of work during the submission process, nor are editors inclined to sit and toil over someone's manuscript when there are others on their desks that are near perfect. On the other hand, if your manuscript is accepted, editors will work with you on fixing errors.
Don't be fooled into thinking you can have someone else fix what you didn't. If you want the work accepted, you must make your manuscript as error free as possible. Get yourself an excellent spell checker. AOL now has one for text files... (click on "file" at the top of your screen, then click on "new"). Copy and paste your story into one of those files, then click the small "ABC" button on the top right. Let the spell checker do its work.
Another option, if you are unsure about a particular word, is keyword: dictionary. But, the best way to be sure you have all grammar and spelling corrected, is to have a word processing program on your computer. MS Word is an excellent choice.
Be sure you don't get those rejections over spelling and grammar mistakes!
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2001
The contents of this article may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, or with intent to republish, without written permission from the author,
Sharzi Avins.
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