On this page you’ll find writing and editing tips, and musings on editorial life.
Jargon can kill your message: here’s how to avoid it
Does jargon drive you up the wall? A classic example for many in business writing is managementspeak. The economics journalist, Robert Peston, has a particular kind of loathing for meaningless business jargon. Especially when it’s used to dress up situations which…
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How to ace your writing productivity
Genius is the capacity for receiving and improving by discipline. So said George Eliot, some 150 years ago. Eliot is the author of Middlemarch – one of the finest novels in the English language. The thing is, life moves much…
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Review of the year
Well, it’s the end of 2022 and time to look back at the last 12 months in life and business! Health-wise, I’m pleased so far to have got through another year without contracting Covid-19. I don’t want to jinx this…
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How to be a thought-leading author that gets noticed
Are you thinking of writing a book, but worrying that everyone else has got there first? As an editor, I’m approached by people who want to write books to position themselves as thought leaders, experts, become keynote speakers, use their…
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How to write a great introduction
Introducing your book well is vital to grab readers’ attention and gain traction. Think of it this way: when potential readers are ploughing through numerous books on online platforms, they can experience overwhelm. What they’re looking for is a title…
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Why you need to write a book
Yes you, lovely reader. You need to write a book! Seriously, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably been thinking about it or are pondering the possibility at the moment. But there might be all sorts of reasons that are holding…
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Why your first draft isn’t as bad as you think it is
Here’s a scenario that every author (and editor) can recognise at some point. You’ve written your first draft, and are sitting in front of your computer. The problem is, your internal monologue is having kittens: It’s terrible, isn’t it. How…
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The curse of knowledge… and why it can kill your book stone dead
When I was at university, I threw a book out of a 12th-floor window. No doubt this sounds like heresy, coming from a literature grad and professional editor? Reader, I hold my hands up. I am guilty of this heinous…
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How to prepare book prelims
When you’re writing, trying to organise your book prelims can be confusing. Here’s my superfast guide to getting the order, labels and content right. Title page Imprint Dedication Contents Foreword Preface Introduction Title page This contains your title, subtitle and…
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