What's the difference between proofreading and copy editing?
It's not so subtle
"What's the difference between proofreading and copy editing?" a client
asked me recently. "It seems like they should be the same thing!"
This conversation came about because my client was almost finished with
his book and I reminded him my contract called for a separate copy
editor since I know I don't do that well.
In many ways, of course, the two terms are similar. A proofreader is,
mostly looking for typos that have snuck in the manuscript along the
way.
Copy editors make you look good
A copy editor also looks for typos, but they are looking for more
than that.
Dictionary.com defines copy editing
this way: a person who edits a manuscript, text, etc., for
publication, esp. to find and correct errors in style, punctuation, and
grammar.
A good copy editor is a jewel. They make the author look really good by
preserving their style and voice while catching all sorts of errors and
awkwardness. A good copy editor will spot flaws in logic, sentences that
don't make sense as well as the technical errors of punctuation and
grammar.
Of course, once and awhile you'll find a copy editor who goes beyond
this charge and tries to actually change what you said. Years ago, I had
a copy editor try to expand a definition of meditation I was using way
beyond my intention. Which is why, as the author, you want to make sure
you and your copy editor are in sync.
You do this by getting recommendations and even asking for a sample
before you hire someone.
You also want to make sure your copy editor understands you'll want
to vet every change they make. Yes, you'll want to go over every single
edit the copy editor makes to be sure they haven't accidentally shifted
some meaning or nuance.
Once you and the copy editor have finished, your manuscript will need
one more proofreading. If you're self-publishing, you'll probably want
to get this one done after the book has been laid out in page design
software and converted to a .pdf. You'll also want to be sure that all
the pages, including front and back matter are included in this final
proofing.
You should read your manuscript one more time and your copy editor or
another proofreader should go through it.
Even so, an error or two is likely
Even with all this effort to make sure your book is error free, the
chances are some mistake will be overlooked.
My favorite story about this is the first book I ghost wrote. I got a
call from the publisher the morning of the book launching party telling
me that the author's last name had been misspelled on the spine of the
hard cover.
Sigh. It happens. It isn't the end of the world, but it's worth
eliminating as many errors as possible.
If you missed it, be sure and read
The Editing Process,
a guest article by a great copy editor.
