Editing

paul from Lulu recommends seven points. I'll take the first point for once. Once written, the text should be corrected with artificial intelligence. To do this, he suggests four programmes* through which he runs the manuscript six times. And then hopes that there are no more grammar and spelling mistakes.
Of course, today there are ways to detect most technical errors with a computer. But it happens to me again and again that software shows me alleged errors which, according to the grammar and dictionary, are not errors - especially with technical vocabulary or sophisticated language.

My recommendation is much more: technical aids can be justified in the first pass. The stylistic fine-tuning, the weighing of formulations can only be done in dialogue, in dialogue between an editor and the author. I also trust people more than computers when it comes to spelling. Where my PC thinks it is error-free, I and my two editors always found something. (And - let it be lamented - in the printed book it still usually has an annoying typo that no one saw before).

---

* Grammarly – Browser-based grammar, spelling, and usage advice.
ProWritingAid – Highlights common errors and suggests style improvements.
Hemingway Editor – Revise for concision and simplicity.
AutoCrit – Nuanced editing for overused words and weak phrases.

I would hope that a competent writer would not need those tools. Do they not teach literacy in schools any more? I manage, and I am partially dyslexic. All I have turned on in Word is typo highlighting. Then I rely on many many re-reads. Dozens. But mostly for fine tuning, not mistakes, because eventually there are none (although in some pedant's eyes it may not be to their approval. Story telling is usually about being creative). Turn on all of Word's 'live' checking options and one would get nowhere.
While my wife was training to be a teacher, once she reached Bed degree level, she realised that often grammar and punctuation are at best depending on where one was educated and who by, to a matter of opinion. But making use of tools will surely make all works the same? May as well go the whole way and use AI to write for you.

Never forget that it's in Lulu's best interests to encourage > everyone < to write something, and to use Lulu.