What Is Copy Editing?
Editing, copy editing, and proofreading are three different things, but they overlap – which often causes confusion about which is which. Adding to this confusion, there are even differing opinions about which tasks are part of which function!
It's easiest to think of editing (sometimes known as "line editing") as concerning itself most with the flow of both the plot and the writing itself. An editor may actually completely rewrite sentences or entire paragraphs in the interest of quality, consistency, and readability. Editing should cost more than copy editing or proofreading, as it involves many gray areas and a very careful hand. Finding a good editor is like finding a good dentist: the author and editor should have a relationship built on strong trust and respect. No one wants to have their teeth pulled unnecessarily or get major work done without anesthesia, just like no one wants to have their writing hacked to pieces by someone too rigid or insensitive to the intent of the author or the feel of the book. An editor will, for example, fix or make suggestions on any choppy flow within the story or between sentences and paragraphs, bring any timeline inconsistencies to light, and suggest alternatives to repetitive words and phrases. A good editor will also notice and fix grammar and spelling errors, but this isn't the main goal.
Copy editing is less involved than full-on editing, but more involved than proofreading. Copy editors keep feelers out for grammatical errors, style errors or inconsistencies, punctuation, spelling (both typos and consistency throughout the manuscript), and incorrect usage of words. They may decide to rewrite or rearrange a sentence here and there, but not entire paragraphs. I include proofreading in my copy editing process, but I do not include editing.
Proofreading is the final touch on the manuscript. It means going through the work one final time for spelling, punctuation, and obvious errors. Major flow and grammatical issues should have been taken care of by the time a proofreader checks a document, so there is very little gray area involved.
It's easiest to think of editing (sometimes known as "line editing") as concerning itself most with the flow of both the plot and the writing itself. An editor may actually completely rewrite sentences or entire paragraphs in the interest of quality, consistency, and readability. Editing should cost more than copy editing or proofreading, as it involves many gray areas and a very careful hand. Finding a good editor is like finding a good dentist: the author and editor should have a relationship built on strong trust and respect. No one wants to have their teeth pulled unnecessarily or get major work done without anesthesia, just like no one wants to have their writing hacked to pieces by someone too rigid or insensitive to the intent of the author or the feel of the book. An editor will, for example, fix or make suggestions on any choppy flow within the story or between sentences and paragraphs, bring any timeline inconsistencies to light, and suggest alternatives to repetitive words and phrases. A good editor will also notice and fix grammar and spelling errors, but this isn't the main goal.
Copy editing is less involved than full-on editing, but more involved than proofreading. Copy editors keep feelers out for grammatical errors, style errors or inconsistencies, punctuation, spelling (both typos and consistency throughout the manuscript), and incorrect usage of words. They may decide to rewrite or rearrange a sentence here and there, but not entire paragraphs. I include proofreading in my copy editing process, but I do not include editing.
Proofreading is the final touch on the manuscript. It means going through the work one final time for spelling, punctuation, and obvious errors. Major flow and grammatical issues should have been taken care of by the time a proofreader checks a document, so there is very little gray area involved.
Who needs a copy editor? Why?
Actually, everyone needs a copy editor! I know, I know – of course I'd say that; but it's true.
If you've ever written something and gone back to look at it in a week or two, you know how it feels to have "obvious" errors jump out at you. Once you've looked at and thought about a certain passage or even an entire story for so long, your mind knows what you intend, and it begins to skip over minor errors; but after some time away, those errors often become shockingly obvious. How could I have missed that? you wonder. This is where a copy editor comes in. Your copy editor is your extra set of eyes.
Writers are focused mostly on what they're saying (and rightly so) rather than on the ins and outs of punctuation and grammar. If a writer already knows these rules,of course he will stick to them when he writes. When writers aren't familiar with the finer points of grammar and punctuation, of course it doesn't mean that what he's saying is irrelevant; however, a manuscript peppered with typos and other errors gives readers the impression that the writer doesn't know what he's talking about. Obviously, no writer wants to be discounted just because he misspells a word here and there – but it does happen. Any already-published writer knows how quickly people are to judge. Having a copy editor go through a manuscript to rid it of typos, misspellings, punctuation errors, and other inconsistencies is the easiest way to ensure readers will be able to focus on what the book is actually about.
If you've ever written something and gone back to look at it in a week or two, you know how it feels to have "obvious" errors jump out at you. Once you've looked at and thought about a certain passage or even an entire story for so long, your mind knows what you intend, and it begins to skip over minor errors; but after some time away, those errors often become shockingly obvious. How could I have missed that? you wonder. This is where a copy editor comes in. Your copy editor is your extra set of eyes.
Writers are focused mostly on what they're saying (and rightly so) rather than on the ins and outs of punctuation and grammar. If a writer already knows these rules,of course he will stick to them when he writes. When writers aren't familiar with the finer points of grammar and punctuation, of course it doesn't mean that what he's saying is irrelevant; however, a manuscript peppered with typos and other errors gives readers the impression that the writer doesn't know what he's talking about. Obviously, no writer wants to be discounted just because he misspells a word here and there – but it does happen. Any already-published writer knows how quickly people are to judge. Having a copy editor go through a manuscript to rid it of typos, misspellings, punctuation errors, and other inconsistencies is the easiest way to ensure readers will be able to focus on what the book is actually about.
Just as writing is a cutthroat world, copy editing can be just as bad. The roles of a copy editor are viewed different ways, and opinions on the matter are almost always strong. A copy editor uses knowledge of grammar, style, and standards to be sure that the reader will easily understand exactly what the writer is trying to say, but the experience and training of every copy editor is different, as are thoughts on what is considered acceptable and what is "never to be done." There are very few rules in English that can absolutely never be broken, and a good copy editor will know when an exception can be made. Flexibility, consistency, and an understanding of the writer's voice and intent are the most vital attributes of a copy editor.
It's important to remember that no matter how many people go through a manuscript, minor errors will always slip through. Why? Because we're all human. This is why one more pair of eyes is always a good thing. The goal is to make the writing as neat and clear as possible, so the reader doesn't get distracted or end up losing faith in the author.
It's important to remember that no matter how many people go through a manuscript, minor errors will always slip through. Why? Because we're all human. This is why one more pair of eyes is always a good thing. The goal is to make the writing as neat and clear as possible, so the reader doesn't get distracted or end up losing faith in the author.
