ODE TO PROOFREADING.
Here just for you another ode
Please remember it's not a prescriptive code
A gentle reminder to authors all
Written between each murder call
No-one is perfect I do realize
(I've worked with Officer Tommy too long!)
But please take your eyes from the skies
And apply them again to win the prize
Of reviews and reader retention
Giving your fics their undivided attention
Read over your title, summary and story
Aloud if you must
Do not just trust
Yourself, a spell check or beta
I know in the excitement of finishing
You want to start publishing
Right away, now
But please don't have a cow
(What would Officer Lisa make of that expression?)
Take a break
Then remove each mistake
If you take a moment to read it through
Readers will really love you