The Publishing Performance Show Dave King – Self-Editing Techniques Every Fiction Writer Must Know Before Publishing
Dave King is a professional fiction editor with over 35 years of experience and co-author of the bestselling writing manual Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, which has sold over 200,000 copies and been adopted as a textbook worldwide. With translations into Italian, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean, the book maintains its position in Amazon's top 10 fiction writing manuals. Dave apprenticed under Renni Browne, a former editor for William Morrow and Stein and Day, learning the craft through hands-on manuscript work. Today, he helps authors at all levels refine their manuscripts through his unique 50-page collaborative editing process that trains writers to become their own best editors.
In this episode:
- 30-year backlist bestseller adopted as textbook, 6,000-7,000 copies annually
- Philosophy degree to glass grinding plant to professional editor
- Apprenticeship as the only way to learn editing
- 50-page back-and-forth collaborative editing technique
- Copy editing vs. mechanical vs. creative editing
- Point of view as the #1 issue in manuscripts
- The cottage cheese test for character perspective
- The dialogue voice test for distinct character voices
- Why writers as beta readers can be dangerous
- Diagnostic reading report at $2 per page before detailed editing
- More forgiving of narrative summary in sci-fi and historical fiction
- How J.K. Rowling broke all the rules but created effective world-building
- Real editing transformation: changing the ending with the supportive boss
- Finish your manuscript before hiring an editor
- ING phrases and subordinate clauses that weaken writing
- Multiple beta readers agreeing means pay attention
- Fourth-Ringing Tonguishness: Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate words
- Hitting manuscripts with fresh eyes like a reader would
Resources mentioned:
- Writer Unboxed: Archive of Dave King's editing articles
- Notable article: "Fourth-Ringing Tonguishness" (on Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate language)
- Paul Anderson's analog magazine essay (1980s) on translating atomic physics into Anglo-Saxon equivalents
Book Recommendations:
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060545690?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Connect with Dave King:
- Website: www.davekingedits.com
- Editing services and consultation information available on website
- Article archive with topical index available under "Advice" section
- Diagnostic reading reports: $2 per page (250 words per page)
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