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Stuff Writers Write That Makes Editors Cringe: 6 Writing Blunders to Avoid Looking Like an Amateur Author
Are you ready to take the plunge into publishing your book? Not so fast. The difference between a poorly written book and a publication that can capture hearts, change lives, entertain, or inform lies in the words. Your job, as author, is to get the words in the right order. Every. Word. Matters.
First-time authors, and even veteran writers, go down rabbit holes with their writing, and sometimes it’s the editor who helps dig them out of those traps. Nothing like an amateur blunder to label your manuscript substandard. Amateurish.
Real writing takes place after you have the bones down because solid, successful writing is rewriting. Just ask Stephen King or Anne Lamott.
Sandra Wendel is a seasoned nonfiction book editor and author of the award-winning book (six awards so far) Cover to What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing. She has seen the traps and tricks, the amateur errors. Successful authors take their words as far as they can before they hire an editor. So you as an author can do plenty of prep before you turn an editor loose on your baby.
This short and easy-to-read ebook contains a veteran editor’s collection of tips (to improve your writing) and blunders (to fix) and suggestions for how you can shape up your manuscript before an edit—and well before you become a published author for the first time or the fiftieth.
As an author, you are vulnerable. You spend hours, days, years getting your thoughts on paper in hopes that someday those words will turn into a book. This handy guide will help you polish your precious words—whether you’re writing a juicy romance novel, a mystery thriller that will keep readers up at night, or a nonfiction book about your area of expertise.
Click to download right now and elevate your writing as you never thought you could. Here’s a life raft for you as you plunge into the sea of book writing and publishing.
First-time authors, and even veteran writers, go down rabbit holes with their writing, and sometimes it’s the editor who helps dig them out of those traps. Nothing like an amateur blunder to label your manuscript substandard. Amateurish.
Real writing takes place after you have the bones down because solid, successful writing is rewriting. Just ask Stephen King or Anne Lamott.
Sandra Wendel is a seasoned nonfiction book editor and author of the award-winning book (six awards so far) Cover to What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing. She has seen the traps and tricks, the amateur errors. Successful authors take their words as far as they can before they hire an editor. So you as an author can do plenty of prep before you turn an editor loose on your baby.
This short and easy-to-read ebook contains a veteran editor’s collection of tips (to improve your writing) and blunders (to fix) and suggestions for how you can shape up your manuscript before an edit—and well before you become a published author for the first time or the fiftieth.
As an author, you are vulnerable. You spend hours, days, years getting your thoughts on paper in hopes that someday those words will turn into a book. This handy guide will help you polish your precious words—whether you’re writing a juicy romance novel, a mystery thriller that will keep readers up at night, or a nonfiction book about your area of expertise.
Click to download right now and elevate your writing as you never thought you could. Here’s a life raft for you as you plunge into the sea of book writing and publishing.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
Audible Audio
Published November 2, 2024
66 people are currently reading
1765 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Wendel
2 books18 followersSandra Wendel is a highly experienced book editor who specializes in helping authors write, polish, and publish their nonfiction manuscripts.
Her book, Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing, has won five industry awards (so far).
Her greatest joy in editing is working with authors who have a story to tell. She has worked with Holocaust survivors, a Secret Service agent, a bank robber, entrepreneurs, an eighties rock groupie, a homicide detective, funeral home director, real estate agents, chefs, doctors, lawyers, and plenty of ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
She shares authorship of two award-winning, empowering consumer health books with Edward T. Creagan, MD, a physician from Mayo Clinic (www.AskDoctorEd.com):
• How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician’s Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis (UPDATED 2022)
• Farewell: Vital End-of-Life Questions with Candid Answers from a Leading Palliative and Hospice Physician
She also wrote a cookbook tribute to her grandmother: Chewish (www.Chewish.com).
Sandra teaches highly popular continuing education classes at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, called How to Write Your Book and How to Write Your Story (Memoir). She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, Nonfiction Authors Association, and reviews books under consideration for NFAA and Eric Hoffer Awards.
Visit her website at www.SandraWendel.com. Email her at Sandra@SandraWendel.com.
Her book, Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing, has won five industry awards (so far).
Her greatest joy in editing is working with authors who have a story to tell. She has worked with Holocaust survivors, a Secret Service agent, a bank robber, entrepreneurs, an eighties rock groupie, a homicide detective, funeral home director, real estate agents, chefs, doctors, lawyers, and plenty of ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
She shares authorship of two award-winning, empowering consumer health books with Edward T. Creagan, MD, a physician from Mayo Clinic (www.AskDoctorEd.com):
• How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician’s Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis (UPDATED 2022)
• Farewell: Vital End-of-Life Questions with Candid Answers from a Leading Palliative and Hospice Physician
She also wrote a cookbook tribute to her grandmother: Chewish (www.Chewish.com).
Sandra teaches highly popular continuing education classes at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, called How to Write Your Book and How to Write Your Story (Memoir). She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, Nonfiction Authors Association, and reviews books under consideration for NFAA and Eric Hoffer Awards.
Visit her website at www.SandraWendel.com. Email her at Sandra@SandraWendel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 1, 2021
There’s almost no need to review this book, because the subtitle says it all: “What first-time authors need to know about editing.” Everything important in one straightforward volume.
I wish I’d had this book decades ago as a both a writer and an editor. Instead, like most independents in both realms, I had to pick up the information piecemeal from many books, websites, and teachers over many years.
Although the information is slanted toward nonfiction, it applies to fiction, too. Editing is the same process no matter what material is involved. The author makes that point clear, as well as how writing and editing form two aspects of the process that twine together into a stronger whole.
The distinctions are not universally understood among new authors, who often approach editing with dread, or skip it altogether out of ignorance or misinformation. Cover to Cover eliminates the need for dread or avoidance. It spells out the roles, purposes, tasks, pitfalls, benefits, and lingo that let authors and editors work together happily toward a publishing goal.
The book is worth acquiring for the prepare-for-editing checklist alone. Its full value comes from the explanation of each item in the relevant chapters. All the material is well organized and delivered in a relaxed and friendly tone.
Sometimes that tone is a little too informal, and it’s hard to tell whether the author is being tongue-in-cheek or condescending. This does not detract from the book’s content. I recommend it not only to new authors but also to anyone with a manuscript they desire to publish. As well, indie editors working with indie authors can strengthen their own knowledge base and interactive techniques.
With both parties understanding what to expect from editing, chances are high for a successful outcome. This book deserves a prominent place in every author’s and editor’s reference library.
I wish I’d had this book decades ago as a both a writer and an editor. Instead, like most independents in both realms, I had to pick up the information piecemeal from many books, websites, and teachers over many years.
Although the information is slanted toward nonfiction, it applies to fiction, too. Editing is the same process no matter what material is involved. The author makes that point clear, as well as how writing and editing form two aspects of the process that twine together into a stronger whole.
The distinctions are not universally understood among new authors, who often approach editing with dread, or skip it altogether out of ignorance or misinformation. Cover to Cover eliminates the need for dread or avoidance. It spells out the roles, purposes, tasks, pitfalls, benefits, and lingo that let authors and editors work together happily toward a publishing goal.
The book is worth acquiring for the prepare-for-editing checklist alone. Its full value comes from the explanation of each item in the relevant chapters. All the material is well organized and delivered in a relaxed and friendly tone.
Sometimes that tone is a little too informal, and it’s hard to tell whether the author is being tongue-in-cheek or condescending. This does not detract from the book’s content. I recommend it not only to new authors but also to anyone with a manuscript they desire to publish. As well, indie editors working with indie authors can strengthen their own knowledge base and interactive techniques.
With both parties understanding what to expect from editing, chances are high for a successful outcome. This book deserves a prominent place in every author’s and editor’s reference library.
March 21, 2022
This book wasn’t quite what I had in mind when I purchased it, but it nevertheless proved hugely beneficial. It’s a great read, an easy read, and gets quickly to the point. An important read for anyone struggling to get words down.
January 20, 2021
What You Learn From This Book is Crazy Good.
If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, you have to get "Cover to Cover" and taste for yourself. I have about 1,000 books in my small personal library. About a quarter of them have to do with writing – from poetry to screenplays – and the How-To of it all. Never have I had such a tasty, easy to digest meal on this topic.
Sandra has packed so much useful information for a first time writer (and second in some cases) that she makes getting it done that much easier. Understanding the process, the ingredients, is made clear. Tips on manipulating your Word document, if that's what you're using, are priceless. And her style of feeding it to you is engaging. I highly recommend this work, so that the process of finishing yours will be more palatable. A promise was made in "Cover to Cover". Promise Delivered.
If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, you have to get "Cover to Cover" and taste for yourself. I have about 1,000 books in my small personal library. About a quarter of them have to do with writing – from poetry to screenplays – and the How-To of it all. Never have I had such a tasty, easy to digest meal on this topic.
Sandra has packed so much useful information for a first time writer (and second in some cases) that she makes getting it done that much easier. Understanding the process, the ingredients, is made clear. Tips on manipulating your Word document, if that's what you're using, are priceless. And her style of feeding it to you is engaging. I highly recommend this work, so that the process of finishing yours will be more palatable. A promise was made in "Cover to Cover". Promise Delivered.
March 22, 2021
Great information for writers. I think this would be very helpful to beginner and intermediate writers. But experienced writers might also pick up a few new tips.
December 17, 2020
Sandy is a talented nonfiction book editor, and has finally compiled her wisdom into this book for first-time writers. Read it before you publish your masterpiece to learn how to work with an editor, promote to libraries, and more. I am included in the library chapter ;)
July 17, 2021
Very helpful, very educational!
I was in the middle of another book on copyediting when this one caught my eye, and then caught me up into the whirlwind of the editing world, most of which I knew nothing about. She writes well and is candid about her advice, why she says what she says, giving plenty of examples, consequences, and references for you. She labels her opinions clearly as such, is very encouraging and supportive of authors. I’d love to have her as my editor.
I was in the middle of another book on copyediting when this one caught my eye, and then caught me up into the whirlwind of the editing world, most of which I knew nothing about. She writes well and is candid about her advice, why she says what she says, giving plenty of examples, consequences, and references for you. She labels her opinions clearly as such, is very encouraging and supportive of authors. I’d love to have her as my editor.
November 11, 2021
Sandra Wendel has created a terrific editing book which covers everything new authors should consider. Editors and editing, book production, beta readers, and more are explained clearly and concisely. An invaluable checklist for authors to consult before their manuscript goes off to an editor is also included. This book is filled with good information that every author, regardless of experience, will benefit from reading and taking to heart. Excellent!
January 20, 2022
Valuable information and insight. Recommended.
February 24, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this Ebook.
There are many books on the hows of writing; how to be creative, how to develops characters, how to portray occupations and correct terminology for equipment, how to research and how go wrangle everything into a cohesive narrative. Many books promise an end result about writing, you'll have a book, maybe a career lecturing about your book. Movie deals. Bestsellerdom. More.
Sandra Wendel in Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need To Know About Editing covers the more important middle step, the editing stage where all your work and years of effort are read, proofed, fact checked, organized and made hopefully collaboratively publishable. Ms. Wendel, an experienced non-fiction editor\author uses anecdotes about the editing process to describe the various forms of editing a book might need or deserve from form to proof and grammar. She even describes some of the scams that new writers can fall for, and the seamier side of big time publishing.
Ms. Wendel also covers self a publishing and the future of the book industry with a honesty you don't usually get in most writing books or magazines. I found this book far more interesting and inspiring than many books that talk about every person having a book inside of them somewhere. This helpful tome shows not only that you might have a book in your mind , but with capable assistance you could have a book to show the world.
There are many books on the hows of writing; how to be creative, how to develops characters, how to portray occupations and correct terminology for equipment, how to research and how go wrangle everything into a cohesive narrative. Many books promise an end result about writing, you'll have a book, maybe a career lecturing about your book. Movie deals. Bestsellerdom. More.
Sandra Wendel in Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need To Know About Editing covers the more important middle step, the editing stage where all your work and years of effort are read, proofed, fact checked, organized and made hopefully collaboratively publishable. Ms. Wendel, an experienced non-fiction editor\author uses anecdotes about the editing process to describe the various forms of editing a book might need or deserve from form to proof and grammar. She even describes some of the scams that new writers can fall for, and the seamier side of big time publishing.
Ms. Wendel also covers self a publishing and the future of the book industry with a honesty you don't usually get in most writing books or magazines. I found this book far more interesting and inspiring than many books that talk about every person having a book inside of them somewhere. This helpful tome shows not only that you might have a book in your mind , but with capable assistance you could have a book to show the world.
August 25, 2021
I was fortunate enough to get a preview copy as I was working on a book. Unfortunately, it was my third book and many of the mistakes I made writing and getting the first two published could have been avoided. The editorial process, as too few people know, has very little to do with grammar and spell-check.
"Cover to Cover" prepares authors to be responsible for their own work and to understand how working with a good editor will keep them out of their own way.
For example, if readers just "don't get it," that's on the author, not the reader. A good editor helps repair those disconnects without undermining the author's intent or vision.
One of the things that reading "Cover to Cover" taught me was when to get an editor. Every writer needs one, but some need it earlier in the drafting process and some later. If authors take the time to understand what's involved in the process, it not only makes the writing go smoother, it makes the work significantly better.
First-time writers will benefit from having a better sense of the process, a better sense of how working with an editor fits in with the publishing process.
***Full Disclosure, I ended up hiring the author to edit my book.***
"Cover to Cover" prepares authors to be responsible for their own work and to understand how working with a good editor will keep them out of their own way.
For example, if readers just "don't get it," that's on the author, not the reader. A good editor helps repair those disconnects without undermining the author's intent or vision.
One of the things that reading "Cover to Cover" taught me was when to get an editor. Every writer needs one, but some need it earlier in the drafting process and some later. If authors take the time to understand what's involved in the process, it not only makes the writing go smoother, it makes the work significantly better.
First-time writers will benefit from having a better sense of the process, a better sense of how working with an editor fits in with the publishing process.
***Full Disclosure, I ended up hiring the author to edit my book.***
Read
February 4, 2021This is a good book for anyone who doubts the value of an editor, which I suspect a lot of self-published authors do, so I’m sure it will help some folks. From being in writing groups, I’d say new writers have a lot of questions about the differences between types of editors (developmental, line, and copy) and how to know they’ve found a good one. This book more or less answers those questions, but so do people in writing groups. Which is fine, not everyone wants to join writing groups. There wasn’t anything new to me here, and I skimmed a lot of it. It was mostly focused on non-fiction writing, and although I’ve done my fair share of that, fiction is my writing focus. I believe some people would derive value from this book even though I didn’t pull any new takeaways from it. For people just starting out self-publishing who got a KU subscription to read popular books in their genre as well as writing craft/publishing how-to’s, it’s likely worth a borrow.
May 3, 2023
It's interesting to read this from an editor's perspective, knowing the target reader are (obviously) first-time authors. But in an effort to actually tackle this craft books on my shelf (and wanting to pen a novella at some point in 2024), I came into this with an open mind. I definitely appreciated all the information in Part I, on what editing is and why an author needs it. Not so much Part II, the copyediting details themselves. Part III made up for it, though, offering an excellent discussion of the post-edit roles that make up the rest of the book production process. I'd recommend it to new authors, for sure, but to take it with a grain of salt since Wendel writes from a nonfiction editor's perspective.
December 13, 2021
Although Sandra Wendel edits non-fiction, her advice, written with clear, entertaining, vivid examples and words, was useful to a fantasy writer. Editing guidelines can sometimes feel uncomfortable, like a too-tight sweater in a room of coworkers, but whenever I listen and absorb and inhale the expectations of editors, publishers, and readers, I benefit. Grammar, spelling, content...ever aspect is important, and Ms. Wendel explains each step, with examples and humor. Do yourself a favor. Read it!
April 30, 2025
On editing and what an editor could do for you
I purchased the book in preparation for a book I was writing. Sandra Wendel’s book was very helpful in answering my questions when putting my book together. She had answers to questions that I had not thought of. Her information on the different types of editing and why the writer would significantly benefit from an editor was illuminating for me. She also talks about the significance of cover design and the book layout. I highly recommend her book to anyone considering writing a book.
I purchased the book in preparation for a book I was writing. Sandra Wendel’s book was very helpful in answering my questions when putting my book together. She had answers to questions that I had not thought of. Her information on the different types of editing and why the writer would significantly benefit from an editor was illuminating for me. She also talks about the significance of cover design and the book layout. I highly recommend her book to anyone considering writing a book.
December 28, 2021
I didn’t care much for this one. Many of the topics and advice she gives seem to assume you’re writing a literary novel (“all characters must have an arc,” the focus on theme, and “take away”). There’s also a lot of discussion on finding and hiring an editor and pricing which implies you have to budget big bucks on the process. And as “first time” in the title implies, much of the info is very basic.
January 7, 2025
An electric read on writing!
Sandra Wendel has gifted the world a gem of worldly writing wisdom. No matter the stage of writing you find yourself—from concept to word thirty-thousand to go-to-market—you will thank her for the insights delivered in a breezy, no-nonsense, fun fashion. I’ve read the advice from a dozen online writing coaches, and Cover to Cover is tops!
Sandra Wendel has gifted the world a gem of worldly writing wisdom. No matter the stage of writing you find yourself—from concept to word thirty-thousand to go-to-market—you will thank her for the insights delivered in a breezy, no-nonsense, fun fashion. I’ve read the advice from a dozen online writing coaches, and Cover to Cover is tops!
June 11, 2024
excellent overview of the process
She gives practical tips on how to proceed through this complex world of self-publishing. It has given me the confidence to push though to getting my book finished. Thx Sandra!
She gives practical tips on how to proceed through this complex world of self-publishing. It has given me the confidence to push though to getting my book finished. Thx Sandra!
October 28, 2024
This is an outstanding book for first-time authors. I can't put into words how much this helped me when I first began writing myself. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to begin the journey to becoming an author.
February 9, 2025
A true gem for any first-time authors. Ms. Wendel clearly and concisely gives guidance with great examples. What I love most is that she leverages her expertise and shares her honest opinions on multiple topics. A must-read if you're even considering writing a book.
May 30, 2025
This title really speaks for itself. The author is providing the need to knows about editing. Well written and in terms that are easily understood.
I received this from Goodreads giveaways, but all opinions are my own.
I received this from Goodreads giveaways, but all opinions are my own.
March 6, 2021
This book was a good overview of the process of working with an editor. It's definitely geared more toward writers of nonfiction, but there is still a lot of good information for authors in general.
March 13, 2024
Practical Advice
Useful information on how to edit your manuscript before publication. The author recommends that a professional editor perform the final editing.
Useful information on how to edit your manuscript before publication. The author recommends that a professional editor perform the final editing.
October 11, 2024
must re-read
This book is a must read if you want to avoid amateur mistakes.
I wish there was more, and hoping for part 2 of this book.
This book is a must read if you want to avoid amateur mistakes.
I wish there was more, and hoping for part 2 of this book.
August 24, 2025
short and straightforward read, took me about 32 minutes on Audible. Simple reminders of common writing pitfalls.
November 24, 2025
very good book on writing and editing!
Reads like a hot knife through room-temperature butter. And I found value exceeding what I paid for it. Very well worth reading.
Reads like a hot knife through room-temperature butter. And I found value exceeding what I paid for it. Very well worth reading.
April 25, 2022
I picked up Sandra’s book as a first-time author looking for advice. Sandra’s book certainly delivered on this front— she has a no-nonsense writing style that she uses to deliver practical advice to any aspiring author in a way that is easy to understand, humorous, and she does it without any sugar-coating. The list at the end of her book is particularly helpful for catching common mistakes that we all make but don’t realize we will make. It was also a very quick read; I was able to finish it in just a weekend. Well worth my time!
After I read the book, I reached out to Sandra immediately to ask her to be my editor. I knew I wanted to work with her because her personality came through so clearly in her own book, and I knew she would help me make my book the best it could be.
Definitely a recommended read for any first-time author.
After I read the book, I reached out to Sandra immediately to ask her to be my editor. I knew I wanted to work with her because her personality came through so clearly in her own book, and I knew she would help me make my book the best it could be.
Definitely a recommended read for any first-time author.
February 16, 2023
Concise, contemporary writing guide
Wendel provides a humorous, no-nonsense approach in elevating your manuscript so it gets the dignity and attention it deserves. A must for excellent writers who want the fast track knowledge to up-level their craft. So much wisdom in this book, so much time saved as a writer.
Wendel provides a humorous, no-nonsense approach in elevating your manuscript so it gets the dignity and attention it deserves. A must for excellent writers who want the fast track knowledge to up-level their craft. So much wisdom in this book, so much time saved as a writer.
August 8, 2023
A very, very short book that does exactly what it says in the shortest possible way.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews