Spell Check Catastrophe

Many authors, nowadays, throw up excerpt after excerpt of their latest publication on various maillists. This isn't a bad thing, after all I've done it a few times myself.

Most of these excerpts, the authors admit, are unedited versions. Now, I would be the first to confess that perfecting any piece of text is very hard. Especially without a professional edit. Even so, many of these posted excerpts could be improved by a mere five minute proof from either the author themself--or a friend if the author feels truly unable to do so.

If I might be so bold, let me recommend that all unedited excerpts have a little bit of proofing done on them.

What prompts me to say this?

The simple fact of coming across a red-hot, sexy excerpt and falling to the floor in hysterics moments later when the hero "walked towards her (the heroine) with a rolling gate."

I was sorely tempted to mail back and ask if the gate was made of wood or wrought iron, and whether or not it broke in the process of rolling.

:)

Please, authors, read what you post and correct before you post it. It can make a world of difference to us readers and how we react to it.

S.J