Dave King – Self-Editing Techniques Every Fiction Writer Must Know Before Publishing

Dave King is a professional fiction editor with over 35 years of experience and co-author of the bestselling writing manual Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, which has sold over 200,000 copies and been adopted as a textbook worldwide. With translations into Italian, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean, the book maintains its position in Amazon's top 10 fiction writing manuals. Dave apprenticed under Renni Browne, a former editor for William Morrow and Stein and Day, learning the craft through hands-on manuscript work. Today, he helps authors at all levels refine their manuscripts through his unique 50-page collaborative editing process that trains writers to become their own best editors.

In this episode:

• 30-year backlist bestseller adopted as textbook, 6,000-7,000 copies annually
• Philosophy degree to glass grinding plant to professional editor
• Apprenticeship as the only way to learn editing
• 50-page back-and-forth collaborative editing technique
• Copy editing vs. mechanical vs. creative editing
• Point of view as the #1 issue in manuscripts
• The cottage cheese test for character perspective
• The dialogue voice test for distinct character voices
• Why writers as beta readers can be dangerous
• Diagnostic reading report at $2 per page before detailed editing
• More forgiving of narrative summary in sci-fi and historical fiction
• How J.K. Rowling broke all the rules but created effective world-building
• Real editing transformation: changing the ending with the supportive boss
• Finish your manuscript before hiring an editor
• ING phrases and subordinate clauses that weaken writing
• Multiple beta readers agreeing means pay attention
• Fourth-Ringing Tonguishness: Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate words
• Hitting manuscripts with fresh eyes like a reader would

Resources mentioned:

• Writer Unboxed: Archive of Dave King's editing articles
• Notable article: "Fourth-Ringing Tonguishness" (on Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate language)
• Paul Anderson's analog magazine essay (1980s) on translating atomic physics into Anglo-Saxon equivalents

Book Recommendations:

• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060545690?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Dave King:

• Website: www.davekingedits.com
• Editing services and consultation information available on website
• Article archive with topical index available under "Advice" section
• Diagnostic reading reports: $2 per page (250 words per page)

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