Self-Editing On A Penny: A Comprehensive Guide

by Ashlyn Forge

You've just written a book—a masterpiece, the next great classic, the single piece of literature that's going to be required reading a hundred years from now long after you're good and dead and mankind has been replaced MOSTLY by robots.

Now what?

Can you afford an editor? How do you select a good one? And how much of it can you do by yourself?

Grammar
Style
Syntax
Plot Development
Proofreading
Formatting
And, more importantly, cost-saving methods

Self-Editing on a Penny was written by an independent author FOR independent authors. Don't make the same costly mistakes I've made. Self-Edit first.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Amazon, Ebooks

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Ashyn Forge's Facebook Page

Reviews

[Katie Sholty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-Editing On A Penny is different from the other how-to books out on the market today. Forge guides you through that quandary of what happens next after finishing your first draft. When do I start looking for Beta readers? When do I need an editor? How do I get an editor? What makes Self-Editing On A Penny stand out, is that Forge uses her snark and sass to illustrate how to successfully edit your project. Her examples are clever and short to the point, and her explanations aren't bogged down in extraneously detail. If it's your first time finishing a novel, be good to yourself and pick up Self-Editing On a Penny. It will save your sanity.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant read, easy to finish in one go yet still jam-packed with useful advice that make it also useful as a reference. I'm not sure that it lives up to the 'comprehensive' part of title but it certainly approaches editing from many angles (plot structure, common grammar mistakes, line edits, ...) and gives you good ideas for approaching revisions when you can't figure out where to start. The examples are written especially for the book and illustrate the point of each piece of advice very well.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read this book in about an hour. And when I finished, let out a "WOW." Ms. Forge has packed this little book FULL of useful information for writers--particularly those going the self-publishing route. I read it interested in gleaning tips as I'm editing a novel but it will stand a serious re-reading to process all of the very helpful tips and info Ms. Forge presents--from basic grammar structure (and misuses) to content discerning. Her style was easy and enjoyable to read and full of understandable examples (note of caution: being a secular work I skimmed some of the examples for content's sake). I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone going the self-publishing/self-editing route. You will definitely glean from it!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational

This book has given me lots to think about with my stories. What to do, what not to do. I would recommend this to any new author!

[Stuart Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Self-Editing On A Penny, Ashlyn Forge guides readers through the often complex process of editing your fiction. For writers who are new to the process, the book explains step-by-step what the process involves and why self-editing is still vital, even if you plan to use a professional editor later on. In fact, Ashlyn also explains what type of editors your should look for. 
There is also lots included for more experienced writers, even if some points only act as welcome reminders to keep their craft lean and on track. Each point is clearly backed up by practical and often humorous examples, so whatever your grammatical ability, you won't get lost. 
I highly recommend it to other writers and I'm am sure everyone will be able to take something from it.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.I will be referring to this book again and again during my writing process

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an English major and Linguistic minor with a horrible secret--not only do I hate grammar, I'm simply not good at it. I probably hate it BECAUSE I'm not good at it, but we'll revisit that later. I love to write, and like all writers I have a dream, which is to be published one day, to see my book in print and to dance around in circles in my living room in thanks to the literature gods...

Ahem.

Anyway, writing is one thing, but the process of actually editing things and making them presentable to the rest of the human race is another thing entirely. Editors are costly, and when you're on an extremely limited income as I am, sometimes certain venues just aren't an option. Ashlyn is an independent author, and I've read a few of her fiction pieces (which are fabulous!) so when I heard about this book, I was naturally intrigued to see what it had to offer. I don't usually review things on here too often, but I wanted to put in a good word for this gem.

Self-Editing on a Penny was a fun read. Really. It was fun. Ashlyn takes the topic of editing and adds her own special voice, which means that even while she's giving you some valuable information, you're giggling as you read along. The information is presented in a way that, unlike other style guides, won't leave you sobbing in confusion or brain-dead from grammar-related terminology dumps. Her examples are inventive but easy to understand. When I started reading the book, I thought it would take me a lot longer to get through it--but it took me less than two days.

The book offers suggestions to writers on how to tackle the editing process and covers several simple and commonly misused grammar and style points. It also recommends the use of a more comprehensive guide, and explains the benefits of doing some editing of your own, the benefits of hiring a more professional editor, the benefits of actually allowing people outside of your family to take a gander at your drafts, and the benefits of taking a hack-saw to said draft when need be, and why it's important to be objective through the process. I laughed the whole way through, but I also finished the book and found that I had learned quite a few things that I hadn't considered before. I'll be reading it several times and snagging myself a paper copy for easier reference at home when one is available. I feel like this book is going to be a wonderful resource!

[Janell R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I’m going to make the disclaimer that I am not an author nor do I aspire to be. However, I do enjoy reading, reviewing, and in the past year beta-reading and proofreading. So when I was given the opportunity to read this book, I took advantage of it. I figured it could help me sharpen my skills of what to look for in a good manuscript, etc., and I was not disappointed.

The book is written in a very easy-to-read style, and is laid out logically as far as the steps to take in critically reviewing your manuscript. I especially appreciated the points she made about “showing not telling” (e.g. try to minimize the use of words such as “were” and “said”), not including unnecessary descriptions or scenes (make sure everything is related to the plot and ultimate resolution), and also “peppering” your descriptions throughout the action or dialogue scenes.


Being a secular author, she included some examples of a “well written scene” that I did not particularly find appropriate.

Overall, I would say it is a worthwhile read, and one that I would encourage all independently published authors to read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a developmental editor and have lost count of the numbers of times I've told my clients of the ways they can reduce their wordcount - excess word use, unnecessary repetition of words, overuse of adverbs, sentence tightening etc etc

Self-editing on a penny reinforces these points and so much more. It not only covers some basic grammar, it examines developmental issues with plot and story structure, talks you through the optimal editing process as well as technical aspects, such as formatting.

I have read so, so many novels on Kindle with brilliant stories, but the editing lets them down. This book is suitable for a read-through, and then as resource guide for specific points.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who cannot afford an editor (and for those who can). Using the techniques advised in this book I removed 10,000 words from a recent novel edit. In monetary terms, that is a substantial amount. It's an easy read, educational and humourous, and unlike some books, it won't leave you scratching your head more confused than when you began.

[J.T. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors, students, and basically everyone that writes in the English language could benefit from this book. Given, it is tailored towards authors in general but the simple explanations can benefit those writing the next bestseller to those trying to write a thesis for a term paper or even a grocery list... if you want to get picky. ;)

The author presented common pitfalls and some not-so-common issues that seem to rattle even the most grammar conscious out there providing easy to understand explanations on how to correct them.

Get it. Seriously. Yes, you!

[Troy Blackford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful little guide. Not as comprehensive or effectively composed as 'Self-Editing for Fiction Writers,' but a handy and concise collection of important pointers, regardless. Worth a read for anybody who is doing this kind of work.

[Skye Hegyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book, but only because I was listening to the audio book rather than reading a physical or Ebook copy. Note to self: grammar and editing books are not as good in audio book format. I will be re-reading this book at some point to see how each compares.

There were several good tips in this book, like several other editing books I've read before, and didn't offer a lot of new information about the editing process I didn't already know. However, the way the information was delivered had a bit of comedy, and there were several examples to showcase the author's viewpoint. It was extremely well-done in that sense.

This is a quick book to read, and great for writer's who are new to the editing process. Even if you aren't new to editing, there are some decent tips that are perfect for a refresher course as you go through the editing process (like I'm about to do).

[Cassia]

You would never guess it, but this book is hilarious! It was such a fun listen! Again, listen to it fast (2x) and the narrators will just crack you up. I listened to this on my walks and was laughing out loud continuously. It is a book about working toward publishing (which I’m not exactly pursuing), but it is a quick helpful guide on being a better writer grammatically and esthetically. 
Recommended by: None. Researched the topic

[Jodie Randisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Advice and Insightful Tips

I rely on concise information as a rule. I’m a busy person who loves it when the author doesn’t waste Mt time with excess fluff. I enjoyed the book because the examples were fresh and easy to understand. Just enough to get the point across, well organized, and helpful for aspiring authors.

[Jason Prugar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this served as a style guide, and the actual editing part came in second half of the book. That said, it was very comprehensive any good starting point if you want to edit on your own. For someone like me, who tends to meet someone else to read their work first, this was a good purchase!

[C.H. Knyght · Rating 5 out of 5]

useful tips to make your editor's life easier.

[Cassie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave LOTS of AMAZING info. Stuff I didn’t even think about. I recommend it for anyone trying to self-publish and paying with their own dime to get it done.

[Jose Porras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Short, clear and to the point.

[Debbie Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful handbook

I liked the practical advice and her list of things to watch out for when hiring an editor. It would have been helpful if she had provided a bit more information.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every writer should have this book in their library and refer to it often. A bit of humor helps to relax even the most nervous writers.

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of good advice for such a short novel. I was pleasantly surprised.

[EJ Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book promoted time and again on my Facebook feed and ended up in a crazy position where I needed to tackle a rough draft. I've always been overwhelmed by that very first step. When you get to editing, what do you do first? So, in desperation, I checked to see if Self-Editing for a Penny was available through Kindle Unlimited. Seeing it was, I downloaded it in the hopes it could help. What I got was a complete surprise.

Ashlyn Forge takes and makes the entire process of self-editing your work seem achievable. With great insight and examples written specifically for the book, she guides you through how to edit your own book. Well, edit it to the point you can save money on a professional editor anyway. She does so in a fun and relaxed way that's easy to read and understand. That's huge! Editing is a confusing process to begin with and a lot of other "how to edit" books on the market just seem to muddy the waters a bit more.

This is honestly the first time ever I've sat and read a non-fiction book to the end. Heck, it's the first time I've read a "how to edit" book to the end, and trust me, as a writer, I've tried to read a lot of those. I have a few on my shelves I haven't even read past the first chapter. I'm definitely planning on outright buying this book and keeping it in my writing arsenal. Ashlyn's easy-to-read writing and understanding of the difficult aspects of editing make it a must have for me. I'm sure a lot of writers will agree.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always go into these how-to-write books a little leery. Is the author a good writer, I wonder, or is s/he just writing about writing to make up for the fact that his/her novels don't sell?

In this case, I needn't have worried. Ashlyn Ford makes even her grammatical chapters entertaining, and I gulped the whole thing down in a lazy Sunday afternoon. In fact, one of her examples (in the show-don't-tell chapter) was so riveting I totally wanted to buy the rest of the book. Too bad it doesn't exist....

I should say that most of Self-Editing on a Penny is likely to be old hat to even folks like me who don't technically know grammar but who read voraciously. On the other hand, the information on how to really hook a reader in your first chapter is invaluable. I'm off to rework the first chapter in my work in progress with her suggestions now!

[J.E. Nicassio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a must read for any writer!

I was looking for an editor to edit the sequel to my novel From The Sky when I came across Self-Editing on a Penny. I was recommended to get this book and read it before investing in a professional editor. I wish I would have found Ashlyn's book. It would have cut down the cost of a professional editor. I spend thousands when editing From The Sky. This is a must book for any writer who doesn't have a strong background in English grammar. I have dyslexic, and grammar has always been a stumbling block for me. It's easy to read and understand....Thanks Ashlyn!

[Lizzie Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great advice in here, but some of the style advice is genre-based perhaps, such as never use exclamation marks and said is dead (where is that written in stone?). Different genres have different styles and this book speaks to authors of genre fiction. But it has terrific tips on collaborating with others to improve your manuscript and clues you into the different types of editing and how to source them. It also gives great examples of how to recognize bad writing and kill your darlings. Definitely worth reading.

I whole-heartedly (whoops there's an adverb! ... and an exclamation mark) recommend this, but alongside The Chicago Manual of Style (16th edtition).

[Brian Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading it again. I think it's a wonderful book. Stephen King said he had read hundreds of books on writing and all you need to know is within the pages of Strunk & White. That maybe true, but first he had to read all the other books to recognize what is within those pages. I think this book supplies information needed before you move onto Strunk & White. For me, this book covered areas made more clear due to its simplicity. And as all these so called advocates for good writing say...simplicity is a virtue. 'Omit needless words' - well done and thank you.

[Ellys Phox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashlyn's style is articulate, engaging and informative. She presents ideas and suggestions with humor and forthrightness. Never pulling the punches she lands her blows with such clever deftness, one is grinning and nodding while ducking the blow. The fact that she is an excellent writer of both fiction and non fiction, gives her the props to write a book on writing and be taken seriously.

[Voss Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer for the absolute novice, but if you have more than a little experience with writing/editing/publishing, it's going to be mostly tedious. The sort of things you'll be fairly familiar with. If you're just beginning, it won't hurt to pick it up and go through it. Otherwise, it might be best to move along.

[Cliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book is simple - I learned a lot. This guide is engaging and informative. The examples make sense and it left me feeling encouraged and inspired to write. I've read books on writing the leave me thinking I'll never write again, but Forge has a way of breaking things down that makes sense. If you need guidance on editing your writing read this book.

[Paul Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect timing

I just finished my third book and saw this on the NaNo Facebook page. Now that I have read it I am going back and fixing the first two also. Thanks so much for the great ideas.