The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction - (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) by Amy J Schneider (Paperback)

About the Book

"Although The Chicago Manual of Style is widely used by writers and editors of all stripes, it is primarily geared toward nonfiction. In this book, Amy J. Schneider--who has copyedited fiction in all genres, from mystery and romance to literary fiction, including many bestsellers--provides a companion to the Manual for those working on fiction. Hers is the first guide designed specifically for this major segment of the editorial community. Schneider highlights and offers advice on issues unique to fiction, such as how to deal with various types of dialogue and when incomplete and ungrammatical sentences are acceptable. She discusses best practices for conscious language issues that are increasingly important to authors, publishers, and readers. She also explains the larger purpose and vastly expanded scope of style sheets in editing fiction, illustrating how to track the details of fictional characters, places, and events to ensure continuity across a work or a series. And she covers workflow and administrative practices that work well for the fiction editing process, based on her own 25 years of experience as a freelancer working for publishers large and small"--

Book Synopsis

A book-world veteran offers the first copyediting guide focused exclusively on fiction.

Although The Chicago Manual of Style is widely used by writers and editors of all stripes, it is primarily concerned with nonfiction, a fact long lamented by the fiction community. In this long-awaited book from the publisher of the Manual, Amy J. Schneider, a veteran copyeditor who's worked on bestsellers across a wide swath of genres, delivers a companionable editing guide geared specifically toward fiction copyeditors-the first book of its type.

In a series of approachable thematic chapters, Schneider offers cogent advice on how to deal with dialogue, voice, grammar, conscious language, and other significant issues in fiction. She focuses on the copyediting tasks specific to fiction-such as tracking the details of fictional characters, places, and events to ensure continuity across the work-and provides a slew of sharp, practicable solutions drawn from her twenty-five years of experience working for publishers both large and small. The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction is sure to prove an indispensable companion to The Chicago Manual of Style and a versatile tool for copyeditors working in the multifaceted landscape of contemporary fiction.

Review Quotes

"Schneider's The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction fills a need for an authoritative handbook focused on issues particular to fiction. . . An invaluable handbook for authors as well as editors."-- "Choice"

"A sure-footed first move into the mill of copyediting contemporary fiction. . . . Schneider's book will likely stand as gospel for copy editors who consider fiction their bread and butter."-- "Publishing Research Quarterly"

"The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction will please both fiction editors and authors who must self-edit. . . [Schneider] quickly but thoroughly covers style guides, characters, and locations. Each provides excellent advice to help authors create richer descriptions of these key story ingredients. The text is packed with good examples, as well as advice on handling issues you won't find in other guides."-- "Technical Communication"

"A roadmap that should be on the must-read list of any professional editor who's serious about the art of copyediting fiction."-- "Louise Harnby, advanced professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading"

"A thoroughly helpful resource that I wish had been around when I first began my editing career. Now, years later, after meeting and interacting with writers and editors of all levels, I can say with confidence that Schneider's guidance is sorely needed for those who don't realize that the world of make-believe is just as specialized and nuanced as any other field."-- "Crystal Watanabe, owner and lead editor of Pikko's House"

"Copyeditors have long wished for a comprehensive and authoritative guide to working with fiction, and The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction fills that void admirably. Amy Schneider takes you by the hand and provides valuable guidance on approach and fiction-specific style considerations based on her vast experience. New and seasoned fiction copyeditors both will find it useful in their day-to-day work. Authors, too, can benefit from the wealth of knowledge in this book, especially the sections on characters and timelines. This book is a must-read for every copyeditor who works with fiction."-- "Lori Paximadis, founder of Pax Studio"

"From the details of building a useful stylesheet to the philosophical depths of the editor's role in fiction, Schneider has transformed decades of experience into an invaluable and engaging resource that will guide wordsmiths for years to come. Veterans of the field will find much of value here, and new or aspiring copyeditors should drop everything and read this book immediately."-- "Sarah Grey, development editor at O'Reilly Media"

About the Author

Amy J. Schneider is a copyeditor with twenty-eight years of experience and the owner of Featherschneider Editorial Services. She has copyedited approximately five hundred novels and anthologies, including bestsellers in a variety of genres.