“The village tailor” by Albert Anker |
As we endure the angst around the Blu-Ray release of Stars Wars and the fact that George Lucas changed the original trilogy… again, it’s worth pondering how this could also very well happen in the world of books.
Reader Tucker, author of the Sarcastic Creatures e-book series, wrote to me about how he’s seeing tinkering on the rise and authors having trouble letting go of their books: “Just because the book is published doesn’t mean the author is finished with it anymore.”
Tinkering could be a good thing – I would love to be able to correct the typos in Jacob Wonderbar, for instance, but those are stuck in ink.
But could we lose something with authors not letting go of their stories? Should there be a final version? Does the tinkering even help books?
What do you think?
Mr. D says
I think tinkering always helps improve prose, or even adds elements that can make a story better. However, there comes a point, like in all things, that you just have to call a story done.
CourtLoveLeigh says
I work at an e-book publishing house, and I say, once the book is done, LET IT BE DONE.
Authors are being self-indulgent by tinkering after publication. Maybe it's like painting, and there's always that risk of putting in one two many strokes and ruining the whole thing altogether, and then ze artiste is left frustrated and wondering why the heck he or she didn't just leave it alone. Publication gives authors that final stopping point.
Anonymous says
It is not good or bad, it is just different. Some people will tinker, because that is what they do; others will publish and move on.
The trick is to make it into something that is a selling point. A reader contributed book for instance, an evolving conversation like a blog.
Zoe Faulder says
I'd like to think the pros would out weight the cons. Yes an author is never truly 'finished' with a book but one would hope by the time its reach publication (e or otherwise) it has reached a stage that any tinkering would be minor at best (fixing typos and what not).
I guess having a publisher as opposed to self-publishing might help the author accept that a book has reached its 'final stage'. Perhaps with self-publishing the author would just have to have a lot of self-control.
Zoe Faulder says
Just another thought (a fairly obvious one I guess) – when you're dealing with academic texts or something that is re-edtioned regularly the ability to tinker is wonderfully helpful.
Allan Petersen says
Fixing typos is fine. There have been follow up "volumes" since the advent of the printing press.
But as authors, we need to move on. Let's face it…the majority of readers will read my book once. It's not productive use of my time to keep tinkering. I'm not advancing my craft.
Gerhi Feuren says
Sorry, didn't intend to comment anonymously above. That is what you get for commenting through your Blackberry while lying on your back on the couch.
To add. Certain books can benefit from fiddling, others will break. Every staging of Shakespeare's Macbeth fiddles a little with the story. The trick would be to know when is good enough good enough and when you are going too far.
It also depends heavily on what you write. Time sensitive facts can make for a fast publication with updates as more information comes available. Think of writing and publishing a book about a high profile court case while court is in session. The final chapter can be written and added merely hours after the final conviction.
You'd need to have the discipline of a hard nosed reporter to pull that of though.
Scott Bryan says
I admit the concept of going back and inserting tiny thing that would lead up to future series plot points sounds fun. The question would still remain… "When is done DONE?"
I agree, there has to come a time to let go and move on.
Matt Larkin says
I think typos tend to stand out even more in ebooks, for me, since I realize the author could have just uploaded a corrected version.
Matthew MacNish says
This is an interesting question.
Personally, I would like to see enough work go into books before they're published that very few changes would ever be necessary. But I do realize even traditionally published books that are fully vetted still end up with some mistakes.
As far as authors changing actually story elements, like Lucas loves to do with Star Wars? That would probably really tick me off.
Fiammetta Rey says
I agree with what was said about editions of non-fiction books. People who already have the book wouldn't have to keep checking for a new edition, the information could just get added in automatically.
But for fiction, I think the author should just do as much as they want before publication, and afterwards, just leave it.
Cathy Yardley says
Other than typos, I think fiction authors should steer clear of tinkering, both for the good of the work and their own good. Otherwise, you're continually looking backward instead of moving forward.
Ava Jae says
I understand tinkering to fix typos, but that's about it. Once you get into anything more it starts to become dangerous territory–if you rely on being able to change it after you publish it, what stops you from publishing it before it's ready?
If you're going to publish an e-book, make sure you've edited it to your best ability, then release it and don't look back. Musicians can't change their songs once the album has been released and print authors don't make a habit of changing plot points after their book has been released, either, and that's a good thing.
Changing the product after it's been released implies it was never ready to begin with. How can you expect your readers to trust you if you don't trust yourself?
A.L. says
There is two types of tinkering.
If there is a massive and confusing typo (i.e. he sh#**ed on the ground vs. he shifted on the ground) then fixing it might be fine.
However, once a book is done you should let it go. If you are changing plot points, or bits of dialogue, then I don't think you should do it.
If nothing else, it can lead to the patch mentality that has given the video game market a lot of issues at times when a game will ship with game-breaking bugs but the publisher just shrugs and goes "we'll fix it later."
Let the book you published stand on its own as it is. Write the next book; it's time better spent.
Anonymous says
I did not know this. I've asked my publishers to change a few things after my e-books have been pubbed and they told me it can't be done. Copy edits, basically. Like the mispelling of a character's name…which reviewers love to get their claws into…or things that went wrong during conversion.
Is this another way of publishers telling me they don't want to do it? Because I know nothing about the technical aspects of e-publishing.
I've also seen quite a few mistakes on Amazon in blurbs and book descriptions. If it's so easy to change, why isn't it done?
Confused.
Rick Daley says
The benefit of tinkering depends on the extent of tinkering. Fixing typos is a benefit, although one that may not be recognized by all readers depending on how glaring (and frequent) the typos are.
Releasing an unabridged version of a book with content that was cut from an original version can benefit readers by adding worthy new material to a beloved world / character, and it may provide a sales bump for the author after the initial inertia subsides. Kind of like a director's cut of a movie.
Other changes, like Greedo shooting at Han first, or the new "Nooooooo!" in Return of the Jedi, are not well received because they seem to take away from the original material, or change it in ways the fans see as unnecessary (or over-the-top melodramatic).
Maria says
Typos should be fixed. That's all. Even if you discover a huge plot hole, continuity error or whatever. Better luck next time. If the standard of e-books becomes put it out there, and then revise the book based on the negative reviews it receives, the e-book market is going to be flooded with crap.
D.G. Hudson says
Authors, especially those perfectionist types, will keep on tweaking if allowed. It's in our nature.
The downside of this is that readers might get annoyed if an ebook they've already purchased has yet another 'update'; it's like the 'new, improved, (fill in the blank) ad lingos from past decades. Or, the readers may think it's another bid for another sale by the same author.
IMO, the author should get on with the next book and let printed dogs lie. A typo or small error won't bother me much –if they aren't abundant–but unless the updates are free to previous purchasers, what's the point for the reader?
My prognosis – it's not good or bad, but seems counter productive. I personally don't think it's a good practice. Writers need to write, and edit, but not ad infinitum.
An author friend of mine has just done that tweaking of her ebook, but I didn't buy the new version of the book. It's not that much different. Maybe it just makes the author feel better – hmmm?
Josin L. McQuein says
Tinkering is one thing, but I could see potential problems if an author made significant changes that had nothing to do with correcting mistakes. Changes to plot or character that could mean an early reader and a late reader had two different endings.
Verword: Entride — When Merry and Pippin tagged along with Treebeard.
Bryan Russell says
Tinkering can be good… sometimes. Just look at Peter Matthiessen's Shadow Country.
One of the things it highlights for me, though, is that a lot of writers are publishing their book before it's ready. There's a lot of editing, copyediting, and proofreading hoops to jump through in the traditional publishing process. Likely what comes out the other side will be professional and clean. And the process itself continually asks the writer to better themselves, to push themselves, to ferret out just the right word combination or use of punctuation.
With self-publishing that isn't guaranteed. Certainly some authors will push themselves, put their books through the ringers, and get that book as far along down the path as it can go.
But other writers won't. They'll feel "It's done!" and then put it up for sale. And then they'll realize all sorts of things about the manuscript that could be made better. This is only natural. I mean, send out a simple query, and you'll probably realize half-a-dozen things that should be changed in your manuscript. The key thing is, in the traditional publishing process this mechanism is repeated over and over again – before publication. Most of this will be worked out before a book sees a reader's hand.
But, with a lot of ebooks these days, that won't be the case. And thus the urge (and maybe the need) to tinker. On the other hand, though, at least these problems can be fixed now. With a print edition, the author would just have to swallow the gaffes and move on (or pay for expensive reprinting).
But it may make things confusing, in terms of codified knowledge, if texts are constantly shifting (particularly if these changes aren't noted as new editions, different versions, etc.).
But maybe no one will notice if I just change a typo or two. Or three. Or four…
Griffin Asher says
I think changing little things, like typos and spelling mistakes, is fine, but once the book is done, it's done. I would be seriously annoyed with an author who kept going back and changing the book after I read it. Unless I absolutely LOVED the book, I'm not going to go back and reread it and I couldn't recommend it to someone later because it's changed.
Kaitlin says
I don't know. I'd probably no to just tinkering for myself. I'd need a good place to stop and move on. Otherwise I'd never write anything new. 🙂
But on the other hand, I can see some possibility of getting creative with it and maybe doing extended editions like movies do or alternate endings or something that's harder to do with a bound book.
Anonymous says
It always surprises me when I come across typos in traditionally published books. (It is usually not a spelling mistake but rather the incorrect use of a word: they're for their, etc.) A few weeks ago I was reading a book where a line was missed.
I self-published my book, checking and re-checking many times but I have found 2 errors since publication. Of course, you're always left wondering how you missed it all the other times.
Jan Cline says
Wow, I had never really thought this issue through. Im not sure, but I think that once it's done, it needs to be done – flaws and all. This will be a good question to pose to the professionals at my writers conference in March. It could be good panel discussion material.
Jan Cline
http://www.inlandnwchristianwriters.com
Roger Floyd says
It seems most of the comments by the time I posted said the author should move on and not tinker with the book, other than to correct typos. I'm not so sure. Changes could be okay if the author sets up the changed book as a new edition. "Second edition 2010," "Third edition 2011," etc. In other words, make it clear that changes have been made.
Darley says
It's an opportunity to do something that wasn't possible before. But I think if you're doing much more than correcting typos and syntax then you'll drive yourself crazy trying to achieve perfection.
Anonymous says
I think tinkering in order to make corrections is fine. No one wants typos, incorrect grammar, or other structural mistakes in their book, whether it's the writer or the reader's copy. Formatting mistakes also fall into this category.
Another form of tinkering I think is permissible is adding special content or bonus features. Giving the reader more than what they originally paid for.
But, I think the line should be drawn at those types of revision.
Who wants to come back to their favorite scene and find that it's no longer what it was, because it's been changed by the author.
The scene in Star Wars where Han no longer shoots Greedo first, is one of those annoying types of changes. It adds nothing to the story and only functions as a way to try and change meaning and character.
The rule should be, you can put more in, but you can't take anything out (unless it's an error).
Hiroko says
There has to be a point where the author says, "Ok. I've had plenty of editing done. This book is ready to go into the world." Technically it's not so bad that e-books are easy to edit if the author is planning on releasing newer editions or something of the sort, but not letting go of that work will show the author's insecurity (and a myriad of other traits, I'm sure).
Reagan Philips says
There comes a time to let it go. You can tweak a story, movie, sketch, painting, etc to death. (*ahem* HanShotFirst)
Be proud of what you've done, of knowing it was the best you could have done, and that you have learned through that experience.
Then, get out there and do something new with your improved skills.
Berinn Rae says
From an author perspective, I'd like to see any minor typos fixed.
But, from a reader perspective, changing the content after someone paid for it is wrong using the same ISBN. I found out one self-pubbed author did that to a book of hers I bought, which made me feel like I paid for a rough draft (and it read like it, too). I'll never buy that author again.
gordonzola.net says
Corrections for factual error and typos aside, I'd say leave it be. I was super happy to get to a second printing of my book so I could correct a mis-spelling of someone's name who I thanked in the acknowledgements (awkward!). And I admit, I changed one sentence because — while doing a reading — I realized a word had been left out.
But the thing is, if you are a writer, you should be working on something new by the time the book is published. That goes for traditionally published or e-published equally
Sierra McConnell says
I find once I'm done with a book I run screaming from it with my fingers in my ears until the muses tackle me to the ground with a new idea.
That's a /new/ idea, for a /new/ book.
Why would we want to spend anymore time in the same place we just spent as much time as they did having the original adventure? I could have saved the world myself in the time it took to write the book!
No thanks. If I ever get my gumption up to publish, it's "over done with gone" as they say.
MT Nickerson says
Seems I'm too late for anything other than to jump on the bandwagon. Move on, hit the next project and tinker that way if you want. Many writers have a general theme in their writing, anyway, themes that pop up over and over. A new project allows the writer to explore themes from fresh perspectives, and readers appreciate freshness over incessant tinkering within a familiar framework.
kerrimaniscalco says
I think as writers we LOVE tinkering around with our ms, always wanting to improve it a little bit more. A little bit more…a little…
BUT…I definitely believe there comes a time when we have to let it go. Accept what we've put out there, and move onto the next thing.
I think it boils down to confidence in our stories. Sure there may be a few typos, chapter five could have started out with a more visual scene–but by the time it's in readers hands, we have to love it anyway. Blemishes and all.
Valerie Rieker says
Goodness. I look forward to the day when my tinkering will come to a forced ending. Stamp it, send it out, move on.
Writer-health aside, it seems like continuous tinkering would lower the readers' confidence in the story. Readers come to a story already trusting that the author has brought them something whole and finished, and if the author's confidence in their own story is shaky at best, a reader might not want to invest their time and energy into it.
In short: if the writer can't move on, the reader will.
M.R. Merrick says
A lot of great points in the comments here. I think fixing the odd typo isn't a huge deal, but don't change the story.
It's just my opinion, but if you're re-uploading your eBook to add and/or remove content that you decided post-publishing, makes the story better, I spot two red flags right away.
One, you're truly doing a disservice to your audience. Both those that purchased the original copy, and those that are going to purchase later copies. They're both getting different products.
Second, if you need to go back and add/remove content of the story – a story people are paying you to read I might add – you probably weren't ready to publish in the first place.
I have no problem with fixing a few typos, but again, in excess, publication might have been premature.
dcamardo says
I covet typos! It's the sign of a first edition. Then I'll pull that bad boy off the shelf and be like "Behold, I was one of the first to read this book!"
funny in the 'hood says
Once a book is published I think it needs to be left alone aside from correcting minor typos which can be found in any book. In the case of ebooks, when you upload it should only be after you've gone through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb and then passed it on to a copyeditor so they can catch whatever you didn't. I'm surprised at the number of glaring typos I sometimes see in ebooks.
However, changing content to make the story better is not a valid reason to tinker. Uploading your story before it's done is like querying agents before you're ready and readers will not be happy if there's another version floating around that they weren't told about.
I'm self-published and I understand it might be tempting to make changes. But once I sent the manuscript off to the digital formatter I knew I was done with it and that made it easier to dive back into my current WIP.
Tracey
Vinny says
Tinkering to correct a typo of formatting mistake is one thing but you should never change plot elements or characters.
Katherine Hyde says
I think there should be a definite cut-off point beyond which the only changes are to correct typos or blatant errors. Dickens changed the ending of Great Expectations between the serial and the printed book in response to public demand, and he weakened the book in the process. If that can happen to Dickens, it could happen to any of us.
Sommer Leigh says
I would say most of the time it should be done and left alone.
Except in the case of Susan Andersen who posted about the horrifying typo on page 293 of her book Baby, I'm Yours. I wouldn't stop her from fixing that typo for anything in the world. She's been very funny and sweet about the typo and has apologized for anyone who thought that she actually meant what she accidentally wrote.
https://www.susanandersen.com/newsletter/susanandersen_11-Sep8.htm
Dave says
Not a good concept for the mental health of those of us who are perfectionists 🙂
DearHelenHartman says
While I'd love to keep fixing and fixing, in the process of preparing backlist for ebook-dom it seems best to let it be BUT I can totally see how a mega blowout bestseller phenom like J.K. Rowling could squeeze out a lot more mileage by tinkering with the series and re-issuing (not that she would, just the first example that came to mind)to grab new readers who weren't even born when the book first launched and also the fans who would love anything more.
Maya says
I say let the typos go. I don't want to worry that I have version 6.03 of the novel and you have 6.05.
And then there was the-self-published-author-who-shall-not-be-named who insisted a mediocre review was unfair because she had uploaded a newer version with less typos (and then took her frustration out on the reviewer).
I know we are all OCD, but just Let. It. Go.
Marilyn Peake says
I absolutely love that typos can be corrected in eBooks. As for significant changes to the story, I prefer when buyers have a way to know that they're purchasing a new version. For instance, if I love the old version of a book, I want to know if the old version's no longer available or if I can still purchase the old version in a different place. I think it's kinda cool if you can read different versions of a book.
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
Personally, I don't put out a book until I've thoroughly written it out of my system and I'm sick of looking at it. I can't imagine wanting to go back and change things, unless they were factual errors or typos.
On the other hand, a person could have a lot of fun with changing things–could even make a game out of it, where readers would participate by identifying the changes.
mapelba says
Typos, sure. Fix them. But I recently read this essay the Star Wars changes and the idea of an artist changing the work. Eventually, one has to let go.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14944240
Simon Haynes says
Smashwords allows you to download any version of an ebook uploaded after your purchase. If you really wanted to, you could read an earlier version.
Trish says
I would only tinker with an eBook if there was a really bad mistake, like a blank page, but then I move on to write the sequel or another book. How many authors have time to tinker? The more books the better.
Suzann Ellingsworth says
Tinkering is writing backward. The story has been told, possible warts and all. Move on. Writers write–forward. Learn from potential, perceived errors and apply to a new project.
Slim caveat is corrections to nonfiction, be it an ingredients measurement, etc., in a cookbook, a misquote, an error of fact or citation.
Tinkering post-publication serves no purpose whatsoever for fiction. Tinkering before publication is the leading cause of never finishing the project. There are a million ways to tell a story. Pick one. Do your best. Finish it. Move on.