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Debbie Emmitt – mystery author, editor and proofreader Debbie Emmitt – mystery author, editor and proofreader

Helping you to write better words and read better books

  • About me
  • Books and resources
  • Editing and proofreading services
    • Book line editing
    • Book copyediting
    • Book proofreading
    • Web text editing
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    • Edit of your first 10,000 words
    • Sample edits
    • Editing books set in France
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    • Return to the Auberge
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About me
  • Books and resources
  • Editing and proofreading services
    • Book line editing
    • Book copyediting
    • Book proofreading
    • Web text editing
    • Website proofreading
    • Edit of your first 10,000 words
    • Sample edits
    • Editing books set in France
    • Portfolio
  • My writing
    • Return to the Auberge
  • Blog
  • Contact

Grammar, spelling, punctuation

Hyphenation of colours (with quiz)
13 Apr 2023

Hyphenation of colours (with quiz)

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 0

When do you use a hyphen when writing about colours? Discover all you need to know about the hyphenation of colours.

ap style, chicago style, cmos, colours, hyphenation, hyphens, punctuation, quiz
23 reasons to hire an editor or proofreader
17 Mar 2023

23 reasons to hire an editor or proofreader

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 0

Are you in two minds about hiring an editor for your book? Here are 23 reasons why hiring a professional editor makes sense.

consistency, copyediting, developmental editing, editing, editor, grammar, line editing, plot, proofreader, proofreading, punctuation, spelling, story structure
Ampersand (&) or and?
8 Sep 2022

Ampersand (&) or and?

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Editor tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 2

The ampersand, despite having a charm and grace all of its own, is not welcome in all situations. Find out when to use ampersand or ‘and’.

abbreviations, accessibility, ampersand, books, branding, chicago, cmos, movies, navigation, oxford style, references, screen readers, screenwriters, signage, style guide
Hm, hmm, hmmm, mm-hmm, mm, mmm (guide to use in dialogue)
25 Mar 2022

Hm, hmm, hmmm, mm-hmm, mm, mmm (guide to use in dialogue)

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Editor tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 12

How many m’s in hm, hmm, hmmm, mm-hmm and mmm? When do you use these expressions in dialogue?

agreement, cambridge, hmm, lexico, merriam-webster, mm-hmm, mmm, novel, satisfaction, spelling
8 commonly confused English words (and how to use them)
24 Feb 2022

8 commonly confused English words (and how to use them)

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Editor tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 0

I’ve compiled this handy list of commonly confused English words to help you avoid making the same errors.

alternate, alternative, crevasse, crevice, damp squib, damp squid, extravert, extrovert, faze, florescent, fluorescent, leach, phase, principal, principle, spelling
Commas before names – appositives (with quiz)
20 Jan 2022

Commas before names – appositives (with quiz)

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Editor tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 4

When do you use commas before names? How about after them? And what about commas before titles of books or films? All will be revealed!

appositives, commas, names, nouns, quiz, titles
Best books for editors and proofreaders
7 Oct 2021

Best books for editors and proofreaders

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Book reviews, Editor resources, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 3

Find out my top recommended books for editors.

ap, dictionary, dummies, economist, editors, harts rules, manual, merriam-webster, oxford style, proofreaders, reference books, style guide
Line editing, copyediting and proofreading – which editor is for you?
30 Jun 2021

Line editing, copyediting and proofreading – which editor is for you?

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation, Story structure, Website advice | 0

You want to hire an editor, but which kind? Developmental, line or copy? Or is it a proofreader you need? My guide will help you.

copyediting, editing, fiction, line editing, proofreading, punctuation, spelling, structure, websites
Copy-editor, copyeditor or copy editor. Which are you?
18 Jun 2021

Copy-editor, copyeditor or copy editor. Which are you?

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 2

If you’re a copyeditor (copy editor, copy-editor), there are three ways to write your job title. How do you choose the best one for you?

copyeditor, hyphen, punctuation, style
How to write number ranges (a complete guide)
21 May 2021

How to write number ranges (a complete guide)

by Debbie Emmitt | posted in: Author tips, Grammar, spelling, punctuation | 37

Ever wondered how to correctly write number ranges? Hyphen, en dash or em dash? Spaces or not? And whether to use ‘from’ and ‘to’ instead of all these pesky dashes? Wonder no more.

currencies, currency ranges, em dash, en dash, hyphen, number ranges, numbers, temperature ranges, temperatures, year ranges, years

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The 3 Most Common Writing Errors and how to fix them by Debbie Emmitt

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  • Sample edits
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Join my mailing list

Don't miss a single blog post. Follow my publication journey. Plus get a free ebook on the 3 most common writing errors (hyphens/dashes, capital letters and commas).
Are you a writer?
Please note: By completing this form, you are agreeing to receive occasional updates from me. Your privacy is important to me and I will not spam you or share your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The 3 Most Common Writing Errors and how to fix them by Debbie Emmitt

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