Feel free to read them, print them, and/or post them in your own newsletter/blog/website with proper attribution to MichaelEdits.com.
Be Your Own Editor
A practical guide to lightening an editor's load before you submit your work.
The Beat Goes On
My very first published short story (Sequoia Magazine, Chamberlain High School), written at 15 and preserved here, unedited, despite all the places I could have tweaked.
Blame It On Michael
The boss assigns you to write something. You write it. You publish it. Congratulations! And then...
Book List
This is mostly for my own reference. Sometimes I forget how many books I've written.
Common Writing Mistakes
The most frequent flaws I’ve caught in novels and papers over the years, and how to fix them.
Dead Men Don't Take Selfies
A playful hard-boiled spoof I wrote long ago that still makes me smile.
The Difference Between Editing and Proofreading (and why it matters)
I don't really care since I provide both, but here's a quick simple explanation.
Elevator Pitch
Another file for my own reference. Featuring the worst commercial jingle of all time.
Every Author Needs A Proofreader
Why your own eyes will never see all your mistakes.
Five Simple Steps To Win Bids and Proposals
A 25-second video with no sound.
The Gallery of Silly Graphics
They're all related to proofreading, editing, and writing. #SpellcheckWontCatchThis.
Get Rich Writing Fiction
Passion matters more than profit, but here’s the reality behind the dream.
The History of the Siege of Lisbon, by Jose Saramago
The Wikipedia entry on Proofreading includes four works of fiction in which one of the characters is a proofreader. Of the four, this is the only novel in which the main character is a proofreader.
How To Write Any Paper
What is writing? I have some thoughts in my head. When you read what I've written, you should understand those thoughts. It sounds so simple when I say it like that. In practice, well, maybe it is and maybe it isn't. Let's find out.
How To Write Novels
You never learn how to write novels. You only learn how to write the novel you're working on now.
The Myth of the Solopreneur
Do what you do best and farm out the rest.
The Passive Voice
Advocating mostly active writing... with room for nuance.
Proofs and Three Parables by George Steiner
Reflections sparked by Steiner’s own insights.
Published Writing That Sucks
What slows readers down, and how to avoid making them stop.
Purpose Driven Leadership
Managers can get compliance, but only leaders can get buy-in.
Watson and Crick Show How It’s Done
A lesson in clarity from scientific pioneers.
What's Easier Than Destroying The Evidence?
She went to all the employees and took the memo away. Then she typed it herself, free of errors, and distributed that to the employees. All the employees who were laughing about the bloopers forgot they ever existed.
Where Does Bad Writing Come From?
A seasonal special with Ebeneezer Grinch asking the tough questions.
Why Is My Life So Boring?
Chapter One - Who Can I Blame?
Chapter Two - When Does Life Begin?
Chapter Three - Learning
Chapter Four - Programming
Chapter Five - Why Is My Life So Boring?
Chapter Six - Why Am I Here?
Professional Proofreading Service
Contact michaeledits3@gmail.com