Ashante Thomas's Blog

Freelancer ▪ Acquisitions Editor

October 31, 2016

Getting the Style Sheet Right

A style sheet is an invaluable tool that ensures consistency. Per The Chicago Manual of Style (2.52), “for each manuscript the editor must keep an alphabetical list of words or terms to be capitalized, italicized, hyphenated, spelled, or otherwise treated in any way unique to the manuscript.” The style sheet makes sure each volume in… Continue reading

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#books, #ChicagoManualofStyle, #editing, #stylesheets
September 30, 2016

Checking Photos

Whether editing or proofreading, it’s important to review photos for quality, clarity, and accuracy. Ask yourself: Will the photo be reprinted in color? If so, is a full-color pic used? Is the photo high resolution? I find that a JPEG, TIFF, or applicable format at 300 dots per inch (dpi) reprints well. Is the photo… Continue reading

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# TerrenceHoward, #books, #copyediting, #CubaGoodingJr., #mistakes, #proofreading, #publishing
June 4, 2016

Querying Authors: How to Write Queries, When to Write Them

Sometimes it’s necessary to query authors to clarify an idea or concept. In my opinion, the best queries are straightforward, spelling out exactly what information you need. You want to respect the authors’ time and avoid any chance your request can be misinterpreted. Perhaps the authors said “Research says” or “Studies show”, but they don’t… Continue reading

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#ashantethomas, #authorqueries, #books, #publishing, #publishing101
May 16, 2016

Understanding the Power of Partnership

One of the reasons I chose to pursue a career in publishing is that I love helping people achieve their goals. I’d like to say that as a copy editor (and proofreader and project manager), I take a manuscript in its raw form and transform it into a polished piece, marketable to the public and… Continue reading

Permissions, Uncategorized

#ashantethomas, #books, #HabitatForHumanity, #partnership
August 17, 2015

Highlighting 3 Elements to Check During Proofreading

Proofreading is one of the final hands-on stages of the publishing process. At proofreading, the manuscript will receive a final read through. According to the University of Chicago Press’s (2010) The Chicago Manual of Style (Sixteenth edition), “Proofreading is the process of reading a text and scrutinizing all its components to find errors and mark… Continue reading

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#ashantethomas, #ChicagoManualofStyle, #inkblotediting, #proofreading, #publishing, #publishing101
July 3, 2015

Identifying 3 Ways to Locate Copyright Holders

You’re publishing a piece and decide that a text (poem, song lyrics, book quotes longer than 500 words) or visual someone else created would help illustrate your point. You don’t want to include the other party’s work without written permission from that party because (1) you could be sued if she finds out and (2)… Continue reading

Permissions

#ashantethomas, #copyright, #CopyrightClearanceCenter, #Permissions101, #publishing, #publishing101, Permissions
June 27, 2015

Citing Sources: How to Do It Properly

Citing a source means you admit to readers that they aren’t the first to see the information. Continue reading

Permissions

#APAstyle, #ashantethomas, #books, #inkblotediting, #permission, #publishing, #PurdueOWL
June 27, 2015

Reprinting figures: When to Pursue Formal Permission

Any images, graphics, or other visual representations need to be properly attributed. Continue reading

Permissions

#ashantethomas, #books, #copyright, #CopyrightClearanceCenter, #figures, #inkblotediting, #permission, #publishing, #reprint
June 27, 2015

Making Decisions: Are Website Screenshots Necessary?

Screenshots are rarely necessary. I’m inclined to say they’re never necessary, but my mother told me that I should never say never so I won’t. I will say that showing readers images of a site severely dates a book. In my experience, it takes seven to eight months to produce a book through a traditional… Continue reading

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About Me

Rooted in the rhythms of Motown and most at home on Midwest hiking trails, I am an editor with a career that bridges trade and scholarly publishing. Whether working in continental philosophy, Holocaust studies, or my current focus on health and fitness, I respect the creative process and the dedication it takes to bring a book to life. When I am not tending to my backyard patch of cabbage, I use this space to clear my mind and share practical insights. My goal = help nonfiction authors demystify the publishing journey and enjoy a much richer experience from manuscript to marketplace.