LuLu for Editing?

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

The other LuLu thread made me think of something. Has anybody ever thought of doing a private LuLu printing of one copy of their manuscript just for editing purposes? You get it in a paperback format and use that to edit? I always find on paper editing better than on screen. The LuLu thread made me think, "Hmmmmm. I wonder if it would be even better to have the on paper edit be an actual book format?" It would only cost about $10 for one copy...that's not a lot to throw away to have something to red pen edit. And you can do it privately so nobody can access it.

Any thoughts?
(I'm thinking this because I catch a zillion errors in published books while I'm reading them.)

BenPanced · Nov 16, 2007

I've heard about people doing it this way because they say any of Lulu's binding methods are cheaper than a local copy shop.

ShebaJones · Nov 16, 2007

Honestly, I think it's a good idea, and something I'll probably do in the future.

Siddow · Nov 16, 2007

I'm going to use it for the one I'm writing now for NaNo. For the last few years, Lulu has extended an offer of one free copy of their NaNo novel to all the winners. Last year I wrote a book for my son and used the offer to get it printed for him (big hit!).

This year, if I can finish this blasted thing by the 30th, I'm going to do a mad 6-week edit on it and get my reading copy. I think the deadline for NaNoers is January 16th.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 16, 2007

Hmm. I"ve heard of Little Lulu, she was a comic book character.

And I've heard of "That's a lulu!" meaning that's big.

But I have no idea what lulu means in this case.

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

www.lulu.com

Bubastes · Nov 16, 2007

I think it's a great idea and I plan to do this. I'm sure that the change in format will make my mistakes pop out even more.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
www.lulu.com

Ew! That's a joke, right?

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

Shadow_Ferret said:
Ew! That's a joke, right?

I don't get what you're saying? I'm talking about printing 1 copy in paperback version to redline edit. It remains private. No joke.

illiterwrite · Nov 16, 2007

But why is that easier than just printing off your MS with a lot of white space for edits/new scenes, etc.?

Stew21 · Nov 16, 2007

i think it's a great idea too. I printed off my MS to edit, put it in a 2 inch 3 ring binder - it's a huge pain in the butt - it's so big and bulky. It'd be better to have it in book form - if for nothing but the ease of carrying it.
and I do think having it in a different format would be helpful.

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

illiterwrite said:
But why is that easier than just printing off your MS with a lot of white space for edits/new scenes, etc.?

Just thinking a fresh way of looking at it. A new way to grab the illusive errors.

ETA: I'm also talking about after you finish the edits where you add and delete scenes. I'm thinking the final polish where you may add subtract a few words, but mostly just catching all the little hiccups.

Stew21 · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
Just thinking a fresh way of looking at it. A new way to grab the illusive errors.

exactly.
sometimes you have to look at it from a different angle - book form might be that different angle.

willietheshakes · Nov 16, 2007

And given the way even the most minor of errors SCREAMS at me when looking at my printed books, I think it'd be a good use of time and dollars.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
I don't get what you're saying? I'm talking about printing 1 copy in paperback version to redline edit. It remains private. No joke.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were literally going to use that as a publishing and distribution tool for your novel.

illiterwrite · Nov 16, 2007

willietheshakes said:
And given the way even the most minor of errors SCREAMS at me when looking at my printed books, I think it'd be a good use of time and dollars.

That's why I don't like to look at it now. Just in case.

GeorgieB · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
Any thoughts?
(I'm thinking this because I catch a zillion errors in published books while I'm reading them.)

You betcha! I will probably try LuLu for this year's NaNo effort, perhaps for the second edit. I'll have them print it on 8.5x11 paper and spiral bind it. Much thinner than a three-ring binder.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

willietheshakes · Nov 16, 2007

illiterwrite said:
That's why I don't like to look at it now. Just in case.

Heh. Yup.

veinglory · Nov 16, 2007

I think that, out of respect for our self-publishing members, 'eww' might not be a considerate response anyway. People publish different ways for different reasons.

scarletpeaches · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
Just thinking a fresh way of looking at it. A new way to grab the illusive errors.

ETA: I'm also talking about after you finish the edits where you add and delete scenes. I'm thinking the final polish where you may add subtract a few words, but mostly just catching all the little hiccups.

Spaz.

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

You're annoying me, Judas.

scarletpeaches · Nov 16, 2007

Only spazzes use LuLu.

Julie Worth · Nov 16, 2007

KTC said:
The other LuLu thread made me think of something. Has anybody ever thought of doing a private LuLu printing of one copy of their manuscript just for editing purposes?

I used to do this, but now I just get them for beta readers, and occasionally for submissions. I found I can edit much faster onscreen.

ChunkyC · Nov 16, 2007

I think it's a pretty interesting idea.

I like to switch fonts and line spacing for a polish-pass. Normally I write in manuscript format with Courier for the first few drafts, but then I'll change it to something like Garamond and single line spacing. It looks more like a finished book, and I catch a lot of stuff I missed on previous editing/revision passes. So I can see the merit of having a printed book for an editing pass. It would be a little like galleys for us poor shlubs who don't have a publisher to send us galleys.

KTC · Nov 16, 2007

Exactly, Chunky. A galleyesque something to look at. (-;

LuLu for Editing?

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