Once I read a book that was written by a local woman telling of her daughter's death (murder) and the aftermath. It was full of grammar errors...I suppose the book was really written in 'her own' words, but there were numerous spelling errors as well. I was quite surprised, but supposed it was just published by some cut-rate publisher.

Sue

I have seen some really bad spelling errors in books by big time authors,,,it always surprises me.

I have seen it also in books. I am not the greatest speller in the world as you all know so when I notice it, it has to be pretty obivous. Now grammer and puncation (sp) I realllly can't do...Stacy

I suppose if she self-published, there would be no editor or proof-reader, just herself. That's a shame, really, because someone probably will point it out to her.

It would have been free if she had typed it in a program that had spell-check. It wouldn't correct punctuation but it would catch the biggest errors.

What kind of book did she write? I can't imagine such a huge undertaking, whether it's perfect or not. I like to read 'em, but don't want to have to write one!

I have read Laura Ingalls Wilder's books over and over and over - there are a NUMBER of spelling and grammer errors in those books. That shouldn't happen today, though - I would think the computer program that is used would spell-check the text.

Flamey - I don't know why her husband, mother or father didn't catch that. Wonder if she can go back to amazon and make the corrections there at least.

It really isn't my place to give her a heads up because, although she is my cousin, I really don't know her at all. More than likely I could pick her out of a crowd... possibly. LOL

The book is Christian inspirational on the humorous side.

Well...the talent of writing does not make you a good speller too.

Writing is like any other talent....Painting or singing...

I've always been artsy crafty but I'm a horrible speller...

I've already wore out one hand held speller. I keep it right here all the time.

patti

tee hee...that'd be worn....not wore....not bad spelling there...just bad English...

*hehe*

I remember once when we were in Panama my dad told this man "no speaka de spanish". Guess in some cases it's "no writa da english". LOL

I won't hint to you not to point it out to her nor surreptitiously try to shame you into not pointing it out. I will just ask you not to point it out to her. Trust me, she's already mortified because she has already seen the errors, and someone else has likely mentioned them, or soon shall. There are lots of ways to have a book published, including doing it yourself. Not all have the good luck of being accepted and published by Doubleday LOL. She might be a good writer and great speller, but we all make errors and cannot see them when proofing. That's why it's always best to have someone else proof what you write. I'm guessing she didn't have anyone reliable or knowledgeable enough to entrust it to. Sure hope the book was good though.

I would think if she wrote the description on Amazon, she would be able to correct it. If the book is self-published she needs to be her own proof-reader.

You do her no favors by not pointing out the errors. There are many interested in the subject matter, but also offput by spelling and grammatical errors.

I didn't understand the description on Amazon. I guess I just assumed you meant the description, forward or preface at the beginning of book, which are already published and for sale. Help us to understand where the description with the errors is written. If on Amazon, I agree she should be able to edit it, and you should let her know.

What's the name of the book? Let's all go critique it!...just for fun.

One of the reasons I use Firefox is so it will tell me my spelling errors when posting....of course it doesn't find the grammatical errors...but it's a start! (At work I use MS Word with both spell & grammar check turned on.)

bestlawn - often on amazon, you can read an editorial review, or description of the book. I guess it depends on how the book is published on who writes the review or description, but in this case, it was written by the author.

Sue - in good conscience, I could not do that. :)

I just have to say this. That's what editors are for. I used to work for professionals...doctors, and lawyers, and I can tell you they can't spell, write, punctuate or anything else. Well, some can, but I'm telling you, for someone to graduate from law school with some of the poor writing and spelling skills these people had is ludicrous!

I designed the cover of a book that was self published a few years ago. The author went through a local editor who helped him "self-publish" it. She proofed and edited the book. She was a bit of a ditz so I also proofed it as did the author and a friend of his.

There is no reason to not have at least one additional person proof something you've put your heart and soul into.

True, not everyone is an editor, but most people will pick up on simple spelling errors and grammer faux pas.

And then there is Spell Check for heaven's sake. :-)

Jodi-