Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
How to Edit Yourself into Print
By by Renni Browne, Dave King

      The contents of Self-Editing reads like a writer’s treasure trove; so much knowledge, along with checklists and exercises following each chapter, and a list of Top Books for Writers at the end of the book. (Answers to the exercises are included.) In reprinting this fully revised and expanded second edition, the two authors have done the novice and professional writer a grand favor. Their expertise is obvious. Their writing is clear. And the examples used in each chapter are easily understood.

      Browne and King do give an important warning: “…writing and editing are two different skills, they require two different mind-sets. Don’t try to do both at once.”

      Authors Browne and King tell writers the best way to spot improvement in one’s work is to walk away and return with fresh eyes. That’s what the two have done with their classic guide. They include changes and updates in this reprint. One of the changes the authors’ make note of in this reprint is telling writers where characters’ emotions do belong, since they expounded so much on where they didn’t in the last edition.

      Browne was senior editor for William Morrow and founder of The Editorial Department, a national book-editing company. King is a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest and owns Dave King Editorial Service.