Proofreader at Table Seven, Please

[nightdog_barks]

Dear Pro Author:

I was thinking about buying your book today, so I read the first few pages on Amazon. I regret to inform you that the ocean does not actually "team" with fish. Perhaps one day I will purchase your book, but it will not be today.

Sincerely yours,

A Cranky Reader

Comments

[bethctg]

Lorrrrd. *shakes head*

[nightdog_barks]

Oh, Sils, I hate it! That kind of thing just JUMPS OUT AT ME, and I can't not see it! Argh.

[bethctg]

I know. And it's such an easy thing to spot and fix. SOMEBODY should have noticed that. :(

[blackmare]

File under: Pitfalls of Dependency on Spellcheck.

[nightdog_barks]

Spellcheck with turbo powers, because it would require someone to actually read the sentence in context. :D

[blackmare]

Well, that's what I mean: they're depending on spell-check instead of on a human proofreader who would understand misuse, not just misspelling.

[taiga13]

Oww... I hate it when I see that in something I'm reading, it's like a poke in the eye.

[nightdog_barks]

Perfect icon. :D

[aries_ascendant]

I'm going to pretend "teaming" with fish is like having subsets of schools of fish. It makes it better. :)

[nightdog_barks]

I couldn't help but picture schools of fish putting on tiny little fish uniforms. ;-D

[bethctg]

I like this. ;)

[warmdarkwoman]

There is a brand of iced tea that I really love that I refuse to buy because they misuse the word "it's" on the label. :(

[sabra_n]

I can't speak to the UK editions, but this is why the US versions of Terry Pratchett books often make me want to bang my head against a wall. You're a big publishing house! I'm not even a pro proofreader! I shouldn't be spotting this many typos!

[jadesfire]

Oh good grief. Since delving back into the wonderful world of fanfic, I have spent a lot of time wanting to spellcheck/Britpick fic (my favourite, in an otherwise superb story, was "five quid bills" which still makes me wince, it's so gloriously mangled). I do not expect to have to do this in my other reading as well!

[Sadly my 'I go online sometimes but everyone's spelling is really bad, it's depressing' icon is LJ-only. Must remedy]