Gary Smailes Articles

Novel Editing 101: A Comprehensive Guide To Perfecting Your Manuscript

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 28, 2023.
Novel Editing 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Perfecting Your Manuscript
This article provides a comprehensive guide to perfecting your novel through editing. It covers the different types of editing, tips for working with an editor, and self-editing techniques. Avoid common mistakes and learn how to prepare your manuscript for editing. A must-read for any novelist looking to improve their craft.

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Top Tips For Fiction Editing: A Guide For Aspiring And Experienced Writers

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 27, 2023.
Top Tips for Fiction Editing: A Guide for Aspiring and Experienced Writers
This article provides a comprehensive guide to fiction editing, including tips and best practices for aspiring and experienced writers. Learn about the role of a fiction editor, preparing your manuscript, character development, plot and structure, dialogue and description, style and voice, consistency and continuity, and working with a professional editor. The article also includes FAQs, further reading suggestions, and a summary.

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The Importance Of Copy Editing In Today's Digital Age

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 26, 2023.
The Importance of Copy Editing in Today's Digital Age
"Learn the ins and outs of copy editing with our comprehensive guide. From grammar checks to style guidelines, we cover everything you need to know to improve your written material and optimize it for SEO for 'xxx'. Get the edge you need to take your writing to the next level!"

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Manuscript Critique: Understanding The Process And Its Benefits

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 24, 2023.
Manuscript Critique: Understanding the Process and Its Benefits
Manuscript critique is a crucial step in the publishing process, helping authors identify weaknesses and improve their writing skills for a more marketable manuscript. Professional editors and writers provide valuable feedback on style, pacing, and structure. Consider investing in a critique to increase your chances of getting published.

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How Authors Can Use Artificial Intelligence To Write Better Books

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 23, 2023.
How Authors Can Use Artificial Intelligence to Write Better Books
Unlock the potential of AI to elevate your writing! Learn how authors can use machine learning algorithms to improve character development, plot structure, and pacing in their novels. Discover the latest tools and techniques for using AI in the writing process. Enhance your craft and stand out in the competitive world of publishing.

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The Importance Of Self Help Book Editing

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 22, 2023.
The Importance of Self-Help Book Editing
This article discusses the importance of self-help book editing, including the purpose of editing, common mistakes made by authors, important elements of self-help books, benefits of self-help book editing, and examples of self-help books that have been effectively edited. It provides valuable information for both authors and readers of self-help literature.

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Mastering The Art Of Memoir Editing: Tips And Tricks For Crafting A Compelling Story

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 18, 2023.
Mastering the Art of Memoir Editing: Tips and Tricks for Crafting a Compelling Story
This article provides an in-depth look into the process of memoir editing, including the importance of maintaining the author's voice, fact-checking, and final review. It explains how the editor and the author work together to create a clear, compelling, and accurate account of the author's life experiences. It also includes links to further resources on memoir writing and editing.

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Manuscript Evaluation 101: How To Ensure Your Work Meets Standards And Gets Published

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 17, 2023.
Manuscript Evaluation 101: How to Ensure Your Work Meets Standards and Gets Published
This article provides a comprehensive guide to manuscript evaluation, including an explanation of different types of evaluations, best practices, and tips for success. Learn about the importance of peer review, editorial review, and internal review, and the steps involved in the manuscript evaluation process. Find out how to ensure your work meets standards and gets published.

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Thriller Editing: The Key To Crafting A Page Turning Suspense Story

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 16, 2023.
Thriller Editing: The Key to Crafting a Page-Turning Suspense Story
This article offers an in-depth look at thriller editing, including the importance of understanding the genre, the role of an editor in the thriller writing process, and essential techniques for creating suspense and believable characters. It also includes a list of must-read thriller novels for writers and tips for understanding the audience.

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How To Write A Book Proposal

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 22, 2022.
How to Write a Book Proposal
In this article, you will discover a book proposal template that will show you how to produce a professional book proposal. In addition, it will show you how to turn a book idea into a winning manuscript and provide all the guidance you need to approach agents and traditional publishing companies with confidence.

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What Is A Book Coach?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 09, 2022.
What is a Book Coach?
Book coaching, which is often called mentoring, will help you to turn a good idea into a great book. Discover all you need to know about book coaching.  

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Understanding Book Advances And Royalties

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jun 09, 2022.
Understanding Book Advances And Royalties
In this article, you will learn about royalties and advances, you will discover what is usual for a book publisher to offer and you will find out how the publishing world is changing the way it provides advances and royalties.

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The Importance Of Structure When Writing

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 03, 2023.
The Importance Of Structure When Writing
In this article, you will discover a set of techniques that will allow you to bring cohesion and a meaningful narrative arc to the structure of your novel. I will explain how to use the Five-Act structure to organize your writing as well as go into depth about the Three-Act structure. Allowing you to avoid producing confusing, and emotionally disappointing story narratives.

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Which Book Genre Is The Most Popular?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 17, 2023.
Which Book Genre is the Most Popular?
What are the most popular book genres to write if you are serious about landing a book deal? Is there even such a thing as 'best book genre'? The premise of this article is that the more popular the book genre, the more books that are published and the higher the chance of you landing a book deal.

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The Snowflake Method Of Writing In 10 Easy Steps

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jun 06, 2022.
The Snowflake Method Of Writing In 10 Easy Steps
Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method is one of the most respected methodologies for planning and writing a novel. If you want to write a better novel, you need to stop making it up as you go along and start applying a purposeful methodology to your process and the Snowflake Method is a great starting point.

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What Does A Book Editor Really Do?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 10, 2022.
What Does a Book Editor Really Do?
Have you ever wondered what a book editor really does? In this article, you will discover the role of a professional book editor and what they can do to help you with your book. 

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How To Develop A Writing Habit

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 04, 2022.
How to Develop a Writing Habit
In this article, you will learn about famous authors and their habits, what science has to say about developing a habit and what you can do to create your writing habit. 

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How To Start Writing A Book

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 23, 2022.
How to Start Writing a Book
If you have ever thought about writing a book, but don’t know where to start, then this article is for you. You’ll discover the three critical elements of writing; you’ll find why knowing who will read your book is essential, and you’ll learn that why ‘just starting’ is the best approach. 

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How Long Does Editing A Book Take?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 29, 2022.
How Long Does Editing a Book Take?
Knowing the time it will take for your book to be edited is an important part of the publishing process. It is often essential to be able to juggle the time taken for rewrites with booking in copyediting, proofreading, and even eBook conversion. 

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A Detailed Guide To Nonfiction Editing

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
A detailed guide to nonfiction editing
Developmental editing for non-fiction books is an essential part of the publishing process. However, finding the right editor can be challenging. In this article, you’ll discover what is required for non-fiction developmental editing, you’ll learn why each non-fiction book is different, and you’ll understand the skills needed for an editor to provide effective editing.

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Manuscript Assessment Report: What You Should Expect

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Manuscript assessment report: what you should expect
There are several types of editorial feedback a writer can use for their books. These include developmental editing, copyediting, and even proofreading. However, one often overlooked type of editing is a manuscript assessment. Since a manuscript assessment is a less well-known type of feedback, it is not uncommon for writers to be unsure of what they will get for their money.

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Is A Manuscript Assessment Worth It?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 18, 2022.
Is a Manuscript Assessment worth it?
Writers seeking feedback for their latest book face several editorial options, including developmental editing, copy editing, and even feedback from friends and family. In addition to these options, it is also worth considering a manuscript assessment.

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Self Editing Your Book: Pre Edit Checklist

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Self-editing Your Book: Pre-edit Checklist
As a writer, it is essential to develop several skills. Gone are the days when completing a manuscript was enough. Instead, today writers must also be technically savvy, with the ability to market their work and edit their books. 

In this article, you’ll discover why self-editing is essential; you’ll also learn why checklists can help and gain access to the checklist we use at BubbleCow when professionally editing writer’s novels. 

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How To Get The Most From Your Professional Book Edit: 8 Step Process

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
How to get the most from your professional book edit: 8 Step Process
So, you’ve had your book professionally edited, and you are faced with the task of turning the feedback into something that lifts your book to the next level. This article will help you do that.

You will discover here how to get the most from your professional book edit. You’ll learn a step-by-step process that addresses all the feedback, while also applying those tracked changes and even doing major rewrites.

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How Long Does Developmental Editing Take?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
How long does developmental editing take?
Developmental editing is a complex and time-consuming process designed to lift a book from its current draft to a publishable standard. It should take approximately one calendar month for an average-sized novel to be edited. However, several factors must be considered when working out the final turn around time for a developmental edit.

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How To Format Dialogue In A Story [In Depth Guide]

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 25, 2022.
How To Format Dialogue In A Story [In-depth Guide]
Writing and formatting dialogue can be difficult for even the most experienced writer.  The rules to formatting speech can often seem confusing and contradictory. 
 
In this article, you’ll discover the best practice for formatting dialogue. You’ll learn simple rules that will allow you to writing dialogue like a pro and you’ll come away with an understanding that will allow you to write with freedom.

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Using Adverbs In Novels And Why Authors Should Care

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Using Adverbs in Novels and Why Authors Should Care
In this article, I will set out to explain why so many famous authors (Stephen King being perhaps the most vocal) warn other authors against the use of adverbs. In fact, King’s hatred of adverbs is so intense that he’s been quoted as saying, “Adverbs are evil.”

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Show Don’t Tell And How To Become A Better Writer

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Show Don’t Tell And How to Become A Better Writer
For some, show, don’t tell has become a cliché with little value, but as a professional editor, I’d insist that showing, not telling is the most powerful tool a writer can use. Utilizing this one technique will make you a better writer overnight. Afterall, clichés are clichés for a reason and there’s a strong element of wisdom behind the well-worn phrase.

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Novel Editing Tips

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Novel Editing Tips
In this article, you'll discover a range of novel editing tips. You'll learn the steps you must take to prepare your book for publication and understand the editing process.

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What Is Book Editing?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 22, 2023.
What is book editing?
In this article, you'll discover all about book editing. You'll also find out why book editing matters for your book and why you should consider book editing as an essential step in the writing and publishing process.

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What Is Content Editing?

Gary Smailes Gary Smailes - Updated: Oct 27, 2022.
What is Content Editing?
If you follow the techniques outlined in this article, you will be able to write more effective and revealing dialogue for your novels. The techniques will allow you to avoid writing one-dimensional characters that fail to grasp the reader's interest and imagination.

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