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Do you have a question about writing and editing or the editorial process? If so, ask Cousin Julius Hartbright. Submit your question to Hartbright Editorial Services, then check back. And please remember what Cousin Julius said: Precision of language bespeaks clarity of thought and profundity of vision.

Q:

Dear Cousin Julius, I’ve suffered through getting my book down on paper, but I don’t know what to do next. Please help.

A:

If you are not an established writer with impressive credits or you’re not a recognized expert in the field in which you’re writing, you’ll need to get your book into A1 shape next -- before presenting it to an agent or publishing company. Don’t handicap yourself by submitting a manuscript that lacks focus or contains twisted plots, contorted syntax, logical inconsistencies, or distracting errors in spelling and grammar. The better shape the manuscript is in (even the neater it looks on the page), the greater your chances of success. Sloppiness in any of these areas will likely kill your book’s chances. --Julius

Q:

Dear Cousin Julius, I’m a student and I want to get into editing. How do I do it?

A:

First, test yourself. Does poor writing irritate you? Do you wonder about multimillion-dollar corporations that put out ads containing spelling and punctuation errors, when all they had to do was pay a proofreader for two hours’ work? If so, you may be an editor in the making. Next, prepare yourself by writing daily and reading widely. Volunteer for service on your school paper or literary arts journal (if your school has no such publications, why not launch one?). Get work, even part-time or summer work, with a small local publication (perhaps a newsletter or a giveaway newspaper). Many companies offer internships. The pay will be modest, but the experience will prove invaluable. Frequently internships are testing grounds that lead to regular jobs. --Julius

Q:	Dear Cousin Julius, How do you define editing, any way? I’ve got a spell checker, isn’t that enough? Why should I higher some body to do what my computer can do four me?
A:	Evidently you need a new computer! --Julius.

Q:	Cousin Julius, A friend of mine works at a publishing company, and she said my resume had a terrible kern pair in it. Should I be offended?
A:	No. A true friend tells you things such as this. "Old buddy, old pal, I’m sorry to have to say it, but ... well ... your ligatures are really bad." --Julius.

Q:

Cousin Julius, I spelled "gray" g-r-e-y on a report, and my supervisor marked it out. Why? I was off by only a little.

A:

G-r-e-y is the British spelling. It was correct if you were writing for a British audience. American English, however, dictates different spelling -- "color" is preferable to "colour" and "honor" to "honour." Some Americans think that European ways are high tone. Have you noticed that some of the seediest movie theaters refer to themselves as "theatres." After all, the French spelling is so much more recherché, ain’t it? It’s the Ruggles of Red Gap syndrome. In the movie of that name the newly rich touring American bumpkin wins the English butler in a poker game and returns stateside with him. In the backward U.S.A. the mannerly servant is mistaken for aristocracy. Concerning your "coming close": In spelling, punctuation, and grammar coming close isn’t enough. A plumber who comes close leaves you with a leak under the sink; a baseball player who comes close strikes out. When dentists and surgeons adopt the "well, at least I came close" attitude, we’ll all be toothless or dead. Sure, we won’t die from bad writing. But look at it this way: have you ever heard a fiddler attempting "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and coming close to hitting the right notes? --Julius.