Well before I became an editor, I noted mistakes in books.I go through phases of marking up books as I read them—in pencil only, please!—and not doing so, but I used to mark mistakes when I found them.At that point I hadn’t realized the complexity of the process of book production and I had no idea of the many ways in which errors might creep in.I’m a bit more forgiving now.In any case, errors are a regular part of book publishing.Older books used to carry pages with incantational-sounding titles like “errata” and “addenda et corrigenda.”Errors, in other words, were considered inevitable because every time you have another set of eyes look over the manuscript it adds to both the costs and time for the production schedule.Then I started writing books.
Now, before I get too far I should explain that many book editors don’t line edit submissions.The standard “editor” is an acquisitions editor, which means you sign up books for your press, but you don’t necessarily (if ever) actually edit them.I still have the sensibilities of a copyeditor, however.That’s the main reason I fear to read my own books after they’re published.I’m afraid I’ll find mistakes.I do take the proofreading stage seriously, but often a writer has little control over when proofs arrive with a tight turnaround time.You have to drop everything to get them returned by the deadline.I’m always worried that errors might’ve crept in.For example, with Holy Horror, I corrected with website copy for the book.The errors, however, remain online.They’re minor, but as the author you’re always considered culpable for such oversights.
Now that I’m working on a presentation to give for Holy Horror, I find myself facing my fears.I need to go back to a book already published and look inside.Since writing it I’ve completed another book, Nightmares with the Bible, and my mind can’t help mixing up a little in which book I said what.To make sure I don’t tell potential readers the wrong information, I need to go back and reread parts of my own work.What if I find errors?Will I have to mark up my own copies like I used to do to those of others?Will I need to compile an errata sheet?I tend to be a careful reader, especially with proofs.But facing possible errors is nevertheless a terrifying prospect, even if it’s a regular hazard for those who attempt to write books.