Quote:
Originally Posted by James_Wilde
And the indy market, probably not even copy-edited, except maybe by friends. And anyone who buys an indy book knows this, and accepts the typos, the clumsily constructed sentences, and forgives the author as long as the story is good.
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I don't think that they do accept it, TBH - I think Darkscribe's comment is far closer to the reality.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkScribe
There are two things that are essential to any form of success. An editor, and a good cover design. Even with eBooks, it is the cover that first draws our attention. With so many wannabe critics being unable to do little more than hunt for and pounce upon grammatical or spelling errors, a badly presented book is going to be greeted with a series of one star reviews regardless of its content with regard to plot, characterisation and pace. If one cannot afford an editor, at least find a well educated proof reader. An experienced editor will check for many factors other than grammar and layout; a good proof reader will at least take the wind out of many of the one star grammar vigilantes' sails.
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Based on the reviews I've seen posted over the past few years, you're correct. Although I'm not sure that I'd describe these as 'grammar vigilantes', it is true that people seem to be becoming more vigilant about grammar. My personal feeling is that it was something many readers never really 'saw' until it wasn't there. At that point, they realised quite how awful an experience it is to wade through reams of badly spelt, badly punctuated and badly structured sentences. No matter how good the story, I think it's very difficult for a reader to overcome a feeling of being short-changed if they've been made to work hard get anything out of a product on which they have spent time and (possibly) money.