![]() Inconsistencies in layout and typography.But before that happened, it would be triple-checked by the proofreader, who made sure the publisher didn’t churn out thousands of copies of a novel called A Tale of Tow Cities.Įven with modern digital typesetting, proofreaders still often work from physical proofs, often using a language of their own, as they go. Proofreaders are eagle-eyed inspectors who ensure no spelling or grammar errors make it to the final version of your work.īack in the day, an impression of a metal plate would be created as “proof” of a typeset book. Proofreading is the last major stage of the editing process. After all, a proofreader can always catch any minor errors that slip through the cracks.Īnd speaking of proofreaders. If you feel incredibly confident about the mechanics of your prose but less so about its flow and style, you might request that your copy editor focus their energy on line editing alone. line editing: what's the difference? Find out here! □ While a full copy edit looks at all of the elements listed in the bullets above, a line edit would only consider word usage, POV/tense, and descriptive inconsistencies and provide more detailed suggestions on strengthening the prose.Ĭopy vs. In other words, it still falls under the umbrella of copy editing but is more precise. ![]() It’s also called 'stylistic editing' since it concentrates on style rather than mechanics. To clarify: line editing focuses specifically on the content and flow of your prose. People often use "line editing" and "copy editing" interchangeably - but they’re not exactly the same thing. Is line editing the same as copy editing? They can also help make sure that you’re using the right terminology and that you’re using inclusive language in your writing. It’d be pretty distracting to your reader if you constantly misuse dialogue tags or misspell the word “restaurant.” Copy editing ensures that errors like these don’t happen, so your writing is as strong as possible, and your reader remains 100% focused on the story. Descriptive inconsistencies (character descriptions, locations, blocking, etc.)Ĭopy editors will iron away your word-problems.POV/tense (to fix any unintentional shifts).The goal is to bridge any remaining gaps between the author’s intent and the reader’s understanding.” What elements do copy editors consider?Ī copy editor examines and corrects the following elements in your work: “A copy edit helps create the most readable version of your book, improving clarity, coherency, consistency, and correctness. ![]() “ A copy editor’s job is to bring the author’s completed manuscript to a more professional level,” says editor Chersti Nieveen. This type is also known as mechanical or line editing, depending on its particular application. An editor will read your work on the lookout for anything that makes it less readable, like word repetition or character inconsistencies. This is essentially a summary of the raw feedback left on the manuscript.Ĭopy editing is the next step after you're certain you've solved your book's big-picture issues. Your editor will return an annotated manuscript, a marked-up version of the original manuscript with specific suggestions for each issue, and an editorial report. “Why are the characters behaving as they do? What are their motivations? Do these scenes add to the overall story? What is your underlying theme, and how does it change?” Developmental editing will deal with 'big picture' issues ![]() “For a developmental edit, I look at some of the larger questions,” says editor Mary-Theresa Hussey. It’s similar to an editorial assessment but contains much more detail. They’ll refine your ideas, shape your narrative, and help you fix any major plot or character inconsistencies to tell you if any elements of your story just don’t work. What kind of editing does your book need?ĭevelopmental editing - also called content or substantive editing - involves an editor providing detailed feedback on “big-picture” issues.
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