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So You Have a First Draft: Editing, Proofreading, Revising

These titles can help guide writers who want to polish their first draft--no matter the genre--as well as provide tips on how to tactfully give critiques.

User from Johnson County Library

19 items

  • Revision and Self-editing for Publication

    Techniques for Transforming Your First Draft Into a Novel That Sells

    Bell, James Scott
    You've finished the first draft of your novel--congratulations! Time to have a drink, sit back...and start revising. But the revision process doesn't have to be intimidating. Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, Second Edition gives you the…
    Book, 2012Cincinnati, Ohio : Writer's Digest ; Newton Abbot : David & Charles [distributor], 2012. — 808.3 Bell
  • Seven Drafts

    Self-edit Like a Pro From Blank Page to Book

    Williams, Allison K.,
    Seven Drafts divides writing and revision into distinct stages, with a new focus in each draft. Allison's frank, funny voice encourages writers to tackle even big editing tasks with a sense of humor and a feeling that someone who understands is on…
    Book, 2021Norwalk, CT : Woodhall Press, [2021] — 808.02 Williams 10/2021
  • The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide

    How to Make Revisions, Self-Edit, and Give and Receive Feedback

    Levine, Becky
    Whether you're trying to revise your novel or polish up an article to pitch to magazines, it pays to have a few sets of eyes look over your work. But, how can you be sure you're getting an unbiased and objective opinion? A writing critique group may…
    eBook, 2009Penguin Publishing Group, 2009
  • The Last Draft

    a Novelist's Guide to Revision

    Scofield, Sandra Jean, 1943-
    The definitive handbook for the novelist who is ready to revise...This wise and friendly guide shows writers how to turn first-draft manuscripts into the novels of their dreams. A critic, longtime teacher, and award-winning novelist, Sandra Scofield…
    Book, 2017New York : Penguin Books, [2017] — 808.3 Scofield 11/2017
  • With its superb organization, excellent examples and fresh approach, this book is unlike any other how-to for writers. Watt's practical program, broken down by weeks and containing useful information and inspiring techniques, succeeds because, quite…
    Book, 2012[Place of publication not identified] : A publication of The 90-Day Novel Press, c2012. — 808.02 Watt
  • You recognize the title. The advice of Strunk is as valuable today as when it was first offered. This book has conveyed the principles of English style to millions of readers. Use "the little book" to make a big impact with writing.
    Book, 2010[United States] : Singer, c2010. — 808.042 Strunk 03/2010
  • Eats, Shoots & Leaves

    the Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

    Truss, Lynne
    We all know the basics of punctuation. Or do we? A look at most neighborhood signage tells a different story. Through sloppy usage and low standards on the internet, in email, and now text messages, we have made proper punctuation an endangered…
    Book, 2004New York : Gotham Books, 2004. — 428.2 Truss 2003
  • Line by Line

    How to Improve Your Own Writing

    Cook, Claire Kehrwald
    The essential guide for all writers. With over 700 examples of original and edited sentences, this book provides information about editing techniques, grammar, and usage for every writer from the student to the published author.
    Book, 1985Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c1985. — 808.042 Cook
  • Available on Learning Express Library database: The key to developing and improving your writing is to commit to the revision process, which involves both editing and proofreading your work. In this e-book, you will learn, understand, and apply the…
    Website or Online Data, 2003New York : LearningExpress, [2003] — WEBSITE
  • Refuse to Be Done

    How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts

    Bell, Matt, 1980-
    They say writing is rewriting. So why does the second part get such short shrift? Refuse To Be Done will guide you through every step of the novel writing process, from getting started on those first pages to the last tips for making your final…
    Book, 2022New York, NY : Soho, [2022] — 808.3 Bell 03/2022
  • The Writer's Compass

    From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages

    Dodd, Nancy Ellen
    Presents a guide to composing stories through the use of a compass map, dividing the task into such separate sections as devising story structure, creating chartacters, setting up plot transitions, adjusting tension, and enriching dialogue.
    Book, 2011Cincinnati, Ohio : Writers Digest Books, c2011. — 808.02 Dodd
  • Spellbinding Sentences

    a Writer's Guide to Achieving Excellence & Captivating Readers

    Baig, Barbara
    Spellbinding Sentences arms you with the tools you need to master the power of the English language. In this book, you'll learn the different qualities of words and the many ways those words can be combined to create sentences that hook readers.…
    Book, 2015Cincinnati, OH : Writer's Digest Books, c2015. — 302.2244 Baig 08/2015
  • From one of America's most beloved and bestselling authors, a wonderfully useful and readable guide to the problems of the English language most commonly encountered by editors and writers. What is the difference between "immanent" and "imminent"?…
    Book, 2008New York : Broadway Books, c2008. — 423.1 Bryson 06/2008
  • Too many beginning writers suffer under friendly fire. Too many pros are ground down by unhelpful supervision. How to Work with a Writer is the first book to set out the principles of constructive editing—how to provide it, and how to obtain it from…
    Book, 2018Taos, NM : Twice 5 Miles, [2018] — 808.027 Huston
  • How Not to Write

    the Essential Misrules of Grammar

    Safire, William, 1929-2009
    How Not to Write is a wickedly witty book about grammar, usage, and style. William Safire, the author of the New York Times Magazine column "On Language," homes in on the "essential misrules of grammar," those mistakes that call attention to the…
    Book, 2005New York : w.w. Norton, 2005. — 428 Safire
  • This remarkable little book, intended as a supplement for any course that requires writing, models a clear, step-by-step system for creating straight-forward, concise, intelligible and readable prose.
    Book, 2007New York : Pearson Longman, c2007. — 808.042 Lanham
  • Murder Your Darlings

    and Other Gentle Writing Advice From Aristotle to Zinsser

    Clark, Roy Peter,
    A collection of over a hundred writing tips gleaned from fifty popular writing books. Chapters are devoted to each key strategy. Author expands and contextualizes original authors' suggestions and shares how each tip helped other authors improve…
    Book, 2020New York : Little, Brown Spark, 2020. — 808.042 Clark 01/2020
  • Whether you're a manager, an administrative assistant, a student, or a webmaster, at some point on the job you'll also need to become editor, writer, and proofreader. And no matter what you read or write-business reports, term papers, even the…
    Book, 808.027 Sullivan
  • The Editor's Companion

    An Indispensable Guide to Editing Books, Magazines, Online Publications, and More

    Dunham, Steve,
    The editor's job encompasses much more than correcting commas and catching typos. Your chief mission is to help writers communicate effectively--which is no small feat. Whether you edit books, magazines, newspapers, or online publications, your…
    Book, 2015Cincinnati, Ohio : Writer's Digest, 2015. — 808.027 Dunham