So...you want to know about typos. But what about factual errors?

4143 Views 71 Replies 38 Participants Last post by George Berger, Dec 31, 2012

Klip

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2012

I just found a tiny factual error in a book I'm reading. A self-published book, for what it's worth.
If it was a typo, or even a continuity error I would let the author know without worrying about it much. So why do I feel that pointing out a factual error is pedantic?

It's something really small, not central to the plot or anything. The equivalent of a casual reference that vodka is made from peaches. And it's about a topic that I happen to know about but most people would not, so it's not like it's likely to be a source of embarrassment. (So not an obvious error like my example

).

Would you find it annoying, to have something like that pointed out?

1 - 20 of 72 Posts

Amanda Brice

· #2 · Dec 27, 2012

Depending on how you approached it, I think I'd be very grateful if someone did that for me.

Ruth Harris

· #3 · Dec 27, 2012

I'd appreciate the heads up & make the fix.

Quiss

· #4 · Dec 27, 2012

I would want to know, too.
Especially if it's an eBook - pretty quick fix.

Klip

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 27, 2012

Yep. I suppose if it's done diplomatically, cant really do any harm.

Terrence OBrien

· #6 · Dec 27, 2012

Facts don't annoy.

Bruce Blake

· #7 · Dec 27, 2012

I would want to know, and it actually happened to me. In one of my books, I accidentally referred to a shotgun as a rifle, and a reader took the time to email and let me know my mistake. I went straight to my manuscript, corrected it, and uploaded the new version. Diplomacy doesn't even matter to me...they could call me a moron, if they want. I just want the best product out there.

48209

· #8 · Dec 27, 2012

If you're going to let an author know about a factual error, I'd double check your own knowledge first. Both of my mentors are historical writers who do TONS of research and people are constantly emailing them about "errors" -- only, they aren't. They are little known facts, exceptions, and misconstrued things.

One has actually created replies she can cut and paste with her research and sources in it.

But, yes, if you're sure I would want to know also. Obviously the mentors aren't infallible... don't tell them I said that

Satchya

· #9 · Dec 27, 2012

DH's series is full of military references. He got almost all of it right. But the couple of very nit-picky details he got wrong at first...let's just say he was more than a little grateful to the readers who took the few minutes out of their busy lives to contact him and give him a head's-up. I can't imagine any good author NOT wanting every last detail in their book to be as perfect and authentic as possible. I say, go for it!

Klip

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 27, 2012

Caitie Quinn said:
If you're going to let an author know about a factual error, I'd double check your own knowledge first. Both of my mentors are historical writers who do TONS of research and people are constantly emailing them about "errors" -- only, they aren't. They are little known facts, exceptions, and misconstrued things.

One has actually created replies she can cut and paste with her research and sources in it.

But, yes, if you're sure I would want to know also. Obviously the mentors aren't infallible... don't tell them I said that

Oh absolutely. I know it's easy to be sure about something, and actually...it's not always that straightforward. Especially about history. But this is something I'm very sure about, and it's a pretty straightforward fact. Don't want to post it here as it may be embarrassing for the writer $:-\$

George Berger

· #11 · Dec 27, 2012

Oh God, what did I screw up this time?

vrabinec

· #12 · Dec 27, 2012

Yeah, I'd wanna know. It might save me from looking foolish when confronted by some fan at a book signing some day.

Judi Coltman

· #13 · Dec 27, 2012

I would want to know. That being said, I once wrote a well known author about a factual error in one of her books because I LOVED the book so much, but the error was glaring. She referenced a character going to visit the St. Louis Arch in 1948. Problematic in that the arch wasn't started until 1963.

The response? "I am sure my people went through my book with a fine tooth comb." Ok.

Klip

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 27, 2012

Judi Coltman said:
I would want to know. That being said, I once wrote a well known author about a factual error in one of her books because I LOVED the book so much, but the error was glaring. She referenced a character going to visit the St. Louis Arch in 1948. Problematic in that the arch wasn't started until 1963.

The response? "I am sure my people went through my book with a fine tooth comb." Ok.

Urg.

Not very gracious!

48209

· #15 · Dec 27, 2012

Judi Coltman said:
The response? "I am sure my people went through my book with a fine tooth comb." Ok.

You know the thing about combs, not matter how fine toothed? They still have slots in them.

J.R.Mooneyham

· #16 · Dec 27, 2012

Masha, the older you get, the more EVERYTHING seems to be annoying! Ha, ha (I'm a documented geezer). But I include an email address in all my books (and on my web site) for reader feedback. And being alerted to factual errors is actually one of my most preferred kinds of feedback (though admittedly some errors could turn out to be quite distressing and costly).

As you say, if it's minor enough, the author might decide it's not worth the trouble to correct. But some will definitely fix it. If not immediately, then later, along with a raft of other improvements they've collected for that particular book.

However, keep in mind that some errors might be intentional on the part of the author. Because stories are usually a reflection of real life, and in real life people often make mistakes in grammar, speech, and action. That's what makes TV game shows like Jeopardy long running hits: for the winner's usually the one who makes the fewest mistakes in his responses.

So anyway, if you think it's worth YOUR time and trouble to write the author about it, do it. For one thing, that correspondence might lead to a new friend or pen pal you never expected to have in months and years to come. I've got several readers with whom I've carried on an email relationship for years now. One of them died a while back, and I'm hoping to make a place for him in a future novel (a book I discussed with him in his last months). A role I believe he would have relished.

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Klip

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 27, 2012

J.R.Mooneyham said:
One of them died a while back, and I'm hoping to make a place for him in a future novel (a book I discussed with him in his last months). A role I believe he would have relished.

Wow. That's really special. A writer's gift

41413

· #18 · Dec 27, 2012

I'm always really, really grateful for things like this. I'm also grateful for corrections on other errors, like when I had la Main de Morte in one of my books, and another friendly author (and fluent French speaker) told me it should be la Main de la Morte. Think of all the people who saw my bad French before I fixed it. And think of all the people who will only see the good French going forward!

So yeah, tell me that vodka doesn't come from peaches, please.

CEMartin2

· #19 · Dec 27, 2012

Masha du Toit said:
I just found a tiny factual error in a book I'm reading.

It's something really small, not central to the plot or anything. The equivalent of a casual reference that vodka is made from peaches.

Would you find it annoying, to have something like that pointed out?

Not at all. I can't help but nitpick myself, and I'd definitely want something pointed out so I could correct it as inhumanely fast as possible.

G

· #20 · Dec 27, 2012

Masha du Toit said:
The equivalent of a casual reference that vodka is made from peaches.

There is actually something of a war going on in Europe over "true" vodka and vodka made from fruits. I remember reading something years ago about a big dust up in the European bloc over this. There are actually vodkas on the market made from various fruits, much to the dismay of purists.

My point, of course, is that we need to be careful as to what we consider a "factual" error and not merely a statement that strays from tradition or irks purists. Further, something that is a "fact" in the U.S. might not be considered such in Australia or France. I've gotten emails from readers outside the U.S. telling me I got "facts" wrong when the facts were correct but not how things are done in that reader's country. So it is important to make sure you are on the side of angels before taking someone to task on a perceived error.

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