By Mary Charlebois
Check Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Before Submitting Your Manuscript
As an editor, nothing will send your story to my delete pile faster than misspelled words, poor grammar, and bad punctuation. An editor’s job isn’t to correct your mistakes. A good writer has a toolbox that helps them avoid manuscripts destined for the 
trash can. Here are two popular tools.
If you are using Microsoft Word and Outlook, there’s a spelling and punctuation checker built-in. Turn it on. Make it an automatic function while you’re writing.
Grammarly is more comprehensive than Word’s checker. There is a free app that is excellent and works nicely with MS Word. The paid version digs deep and checks for plagiarism. ~TPM
About Mary Charlebois—Mary is the editor of TPM and a freelance writer/photographer. Covering off-the-beaten-path, not-well-known, and in-the-shadow-of locations are her passion. She delves into art, music, food, libations, architecture, museums, parks, well-curated tours, history, agriculture, and the unexpected in micro-towns and big cities, domestically and internationally.