How do I tell her...or do I?

How come such a book would be published ? It simply wastes readers' time .No matter how the story keeps readers on the edge of their seat,it has so many grammatical mistakes in it,the book may grade too low in reader interest.As I see it, it is better for you to point out her mistakes.It is for her own good.

I see many say you should say something and truthfully, if I were your friend, I would want to be told, but then again, I wouldn't publish a book without some kind of editing, whether from an editor or a trustworthy friend. It will be hard, I know. Because my daughter knew someone who self-published and so without telling him, she had found it at the local library and borrowed it. Macdingolinger, I don't know how bad your friend's book was, but my daughter barely got past a couple pages and I couldn't get past the first page, the grammar and writing was so awful..Fortunately since this guy didn't know we had tried to read his book and we really didn't know him well enough to say anything, we didn't, because truthfully, if this guy had any close friends, they should be the ones to tell him. So, though I am working hard on my book to edit it myself and hopefully find an agent to help me with editing, I am still concerned about how well written it is..So if you end up purchasing my book when I finally get it published, I don't mind a truthful critique, that is on the grammar and wording. What I know will also hit me it the critics who will be against "what" I write rather than how it is written..Yes, it will probably cause some controversy..

I think that you have to tell her as a friend, although I agree that it could be awkward. I would want to know if it was me. I've had this problem before when reading web sites. I do proofreading for one site, (although I'm not a professional proofreader) and I sometimes just ache to make changes to a section where I'm not authorized! If only people knew how important it is to present material without the distraction of spelling and grammatical mistakes as well as sentences out of place and so on. Anyway, yes. Think about it long and hard, then decide the best way to approach it and do it.

Well mac, being a hopefull author. I would really like for you to tell me this information. I would be so extremely embrassed to have a book published like this! It makes the readers get a bad perseption of the Author. Makes the readers question the intelligence of the writer. Then potentially leading to them not reading any more of their work. It takes long enought to get published and a bad review could devistate the writers career. As well as be a major setback mentally for continuing on. Want to be my editor? LOL (only slightly joking)

Of course you have to tell her. Someone who wants to be a good writer should be able to stomach a little healthy criticism. You should start off by telling her what you liked about the book, you mentioned useful content that's a start, and then point out that you also saw many grammatical errors, then offer to help with editing in the future. I think she'd probably be more embarrassed if her book went on in print and someone not nearly as nice decided to rip her up for it.

You have to tell her. It's not easy to tell mistakes but she can't blame you in fact you buy her product in the first place. Tell her honestly for her to edit the book. Don't be afraid it's her fault not yours.

Well, yrs. ago I know someone who has since passed that used one of these companies to publish a Book for her without using a publisher, and then had a lot of problems selling any of the books. I think sometimes these people need to have someone offer to help them before doing so, even if it is at a small price of some sort. \ To think that you might feel this way makes me wonder how many others will, and in time could hurt the publishing of other books by her for sure.

I read a book that was good, but the publisher stated at the back that the writer didn't allow any edits - so one word was glaringly misused in the entire book - "site" for "sight". I left a comment on Amazon about it but it appeared that the author learned her lesson about letting people make suggestions....

She didn't think to proof her own work numerous times and, then, have someone (preferably, several people) edit the work? This is the problem with the rise of the vanity presses (that's what most self-publishers are) and content mills. Now, just about every person thinks that he or she is a "writer." Of course, you tell her. However, there is a good chance that she won't be speaking to you after you point this out. There is a reason why she didn't go through the painful process of editing her work.

I would definitely let her know about it in a nice way. Offer your help in editing for a possible a reprint. I know if I had published a book I would want to know if there were errors that needed to be addressed. There is nothing worse then reading a book that has alot of grammar and editing problems. If she is serious about writing and it looks like she is, then you need to tell her before she writes and publishes another book. Good luck!

If it was me, I think I would mention it to her and then offer to help her edit and make the corrections. It would help her out and also get your foot in the door to work as a proofreader and editor in the future. I think she would appreciate the input and you letting her know that there are glaring mistakes in the work. I know I would. I would hate to have something like that out there under my name, so I would like to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Yes, yes you should. Like you say; if you had made such mistakes in a book you published, you'd want to hear about it. (The publisher SHOULD have rejected the book--sending it back & telling her that there were too many mistakes, to edit & resubmit--but they probably care more about 'the money she's paying' than they do about 'their reputation as a publisher of respectable literature.')

Of course you have to tell her. Maybe she can correct further copies before people buy them. I know I love to write, but my grammar isn't perfect. Sadly I don't know many people myself who are really good at it, but if I had a friend like you, I would welcome the help.

You absolutely have to tell your friend. This is the problem with people who want to save money and then compromise a good book. I would not read to the second paragraph if I came across such a work. Do not waste your time with it. I am a novelist and have written ten books. My work is meticulously proofread and edited. I couldn't do without an editor. And grammar is the least of the problem. What if the whole book has a faulty structure?

I think you should tell her about it or maybe she already knew it. I wonder why she don't even bother to check the initial print out so she will be assured that the book will turn out fine.

Of course you need to tell her if you're interested in her success. You also need to highlight the severe lack of quality editing in the books of self-published author in various forums. We all need to do it because that's the right thing to do. Otherwise, eventually the authors suffer. Even without your telling the message will eventually go bold and straight when readers begin complaining. But we all need to do what is right and even moral.

I think you should tell your friend about it. that will help your friend in many ways like to improve his skill of writing and to correct the book so that those who buy the book will not get disappointed and will not blame your friend. If you dont said that then every reader of that book will criticize the author and dont mind to read the other books of your friend.

How does one get a book published with so many mistakes in it? (just curious). If I were you, I'd tell her about the mistakes. If she is serious about her writing she will welcome your comments and use them to her advantage.

It is nothing wrong to say her about those mistakes. In fact she would be happy if you note that to her as she finds you have read it fully. Next time she will get opinion for her work.

Well. I think you should tell her about the mistakes. If your friend want to be a great write more than just earn money, then she needs such advices no doubt.