Paperrater.com

Nothing takes the place of actual feedback on your writing. You should know that feedback generally involves three stages from the initial impression of the manuscript, to plot, theme, and other elements, to the final stage of grammar and punctuation.

This is where I like Paperrater.com. Don’t get me wrong- no program really offers 100% accuracy in this area. Why? Mainly because it doesn’t recognize that sometimes, its ok to break the writing rules. Sometimes, its okay to use passive voice, or slang, or informal language.

As always “Know the writer’s rules to understand when you can break them”.

That being said, the site offers a nice FREE service where you can cut and paste large section of writing and have the service rate it. You get a handy report that breaks it all down as well.

I’ve looked at a site called grammarly.com as well (which seems to be down right now), but I find their free version limits the words you can have checked, and then you find fees start to accrue.

Post in comments your thoughts on automatic, robot-driven paper checkers, or your own experiences with this type of service.

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Designing book covers

I’m very close to publishing a short story I wrote, however, I’m finding frustration in the design of my book cover. As I’m self-publishing, I can pick and choose what I want to illustrate the story, but that’s where being a typical Libra becomes a cage of indecision.

I wrote a post some time ago on the topic of book covers. I learned that published authors generally have no say in the design (the publishing company decides), and sometimes the designer is limited based on the criteria given to them.  Its business, in the hopes the cover catches the reader’s eye, to stir curiosity in the book to be bought.

Self-doubt plays havoc with my judgment on this topic, when its my decision. I can see why authors let publishing companies decide for them, or you hire someone to do this for you. One would hope the designer would have some idea on what readers want for a cover. I’m not sure I do. I know what I like, but that doesn’t mean anything remotely what the general populous enjoys.

So what are your thoughts on this topic; what should a book cover do for the author as well as the reader? Post in comments below.

Writer’s Prompt: Look up book covers you have at home and take note of design, color, and even the fonts included. Now take notes on what you’d like as covers to your own books, including short stories, poems, and non-fiction works you may be working on.

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