It can be difficult to know exactly what work is required on your book or document. What's the difference between copyediting and proofreading? Is a structural edit the same as a development edit? Does my work need to go through every process or will just a proofread be okay?
Hopefully the information below will answer some of your questions. Please get in touch if you have requirements that don't quite fit the tasks outlined below as I can tailor my services to your needs.
I'm mentioning this first because proofreading is probably one of the services most often asked for, even though it's the final step in the editorial process.
Proofreading should happen when the book (or document) has been typeset or fully laid out in it's final format. It’s the last chance for spelling and grammatical errors to be picked up before the text is published and is also when the final layout of the book or document can be checked.
During a proofread I will typically carry out the following tasks:
I will usually work on a PDF document (but I can also work on hard copy) and I will mark up the text using the Adobe Reader commenting tools or BSI stamps, depending on your preference. If you would prefer a different way of working I am also happy to discuss this with you.
A copyedit should come in the middle of the editing process, once the overall content has been agreed and finalised. It’s a sentence-level edit (sometimes referred to as a line-edit) so it is a chance to really make sure the text conveys the author’s message in the best possible way without losing their voice, as well as the time to correct typos, spelling mistakes and make sure everything within the text is consistent. Content will also be styled or tagged ready for final layout.
During a copyedit I will complete the following tasks:
Copyediting is usually completed on a Word document using Track Changes and comments, supplying a separate list of queries if required but can follow an alternative process if required.
Not every project will go through development editing, sometimes called developmental editing or structural editing, but it is the first stage of the editing process. Typically it is carried out when an author has a finished draft of a book and they need a fresh, impartial view of the content and overall structure before they submit the final version of their text. This is a collaborative process and I will work closely with an author to find out who they are writing for and what their aims are for the book. I understand that an author has worked long and hard on the text they have submitted and I need to be sensitive about the way I handle it. My job is not to highlight problems but to offer solutions and encourage the author to produce the best work they possibly can.
When doing this type of work I will read the text and consider it objectively, keeping the following points in mind:
I will also pick up other errors as I work through the text, but it is important to note that my focus is on the book or document as a whole and the process is very different to copyediting or line editing (which looks at the text at sentence level) and proofreading (which is primarily looking for errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar and layout).
This work is usually carried out on a Word document and I will use Track Changes and comments to highlight suggested changes. This information can also be summarised in a separate document. I will follow a process and schedule that will be agreed with the author before editing begins.
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