On August 7th I received the proof copy of “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses.” I thought I would find it perfect and it would be on amazon.com in a few days ready for comment and purchase.
But this is a story about the inevitability of errors, and the compulsion to overcome them. It’s an example of the need for careful editing.
Just to be sure, I proofed the proof. This must be about the 15th time. And shucks, it wasn’t perfect.
Back before it was published as “Mrs. Job,” I edited it several times before sending it off to iUniverse, where they both edited and copyedited it, involving me in the process. Then came the time when TMPublications intended to publish it under a different title, so it was again edited and copyedited. Again I was involved with checking their edits.
The next step in the story, as I guess you all know by now, TMPulications ran into financial problems so they couldn’t publish it. For the following year and a half when “Mrs. Job” (or whoever she was to become) wondered what her future would be, she was edited by me several times. And finally, when she was newly labeled “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” I edited her several more times.
So, I thought she had attained perfection. But no. Right away I noticed that the unnecessary word “that,” carefully removed in several places, was still showing up where I didn’t want it. Oh well, that’s a stylistic matter, I thought, so we’ll let it stand.
But then I hit page 115 where what should have been the word “moved” was missing a “d.” That just provides one example why I don’t rely on spellcheck to pick up on errors.
And on page 169 I discovered the same verb appearing twice in the same paragraph. My ears didn’t like that.
So, I’ll proof it one more time. I know the ideal would be to have someone else do it for me, but I don’t know who I could ask at the last minute, and I can’t wait much longer to get “Figs …” out there for review.
So, I’ll read through it again and try this time to perfect it. Fortunately it is a good read if I do say so myself. Yes, I do say so.
monagustafsonaffinito 
I wouldn’t let it go even as a matter of style. =)
Thanks so much for your support. Nothing turns me off so much on a book as poor grammar, style, and editing. On the other hand, I’d better stop at this round, because I keep seeing stylistic changes I want to make. It could go on forever.
I’ll be surprised, but not totally, if people find typos in the final edition, but I know it’s practically guaranteed, no matter how good and frequent the editing, that something will show up in the course of a book — even by the most famous authors.
Mostly, I’m so happy to see people — like you — who care about style.
I care about it all when it comes to the written word.
How good to find folks like you who are on the same page. (Oh, does that approach being a pun?)
pardon me in advance, but: damn it! 🙂 I’m aware that perfection does NOT exist in this world, but spelling, grammar, expression, syntax, vocabulary mistakes and other errors do hurt my retina… it’s kinda lack of respect for (our) readers! correct me if I’m wrong, please… 😉
No need for pardon. Your response makes me so happy. And by the way, not only is my retina sensitive, but also my ear.