My copy-editing clients range from publishers to novelists to non-fiction authors and the aim for all clients is simple: to help the author communicate well with the reader.
Copy-editing improves readability, clarity, accuracy and consistency in the manuscript. Quite simply, it helps you say what you want to say effectively and elegantly.
Copy-editing varies in scope, from light editing to improve the odd clumsy sentence through to more comprehensive support to tidy the text. The depth of the edit depends on the state of the material and the client’s preference.
Whatever the level of editing, I’m sensitive in my corrections and constructive in my suggestions. I know which changes are essential, which are preferred and which are simply a matter of taste. Copy-editing isn’t about being unnecessarily pedantic and trampling on an author’s writing style; the aim is to ensure that the writing reads well and follows the standard rules of English grammar and style.
Copy-editing improves readability, clarity, accuracy and consistency in the manuscript. Quite simply, it helps you say what you want to say effectively and elegantly.
Copy-editing varies in scope, from light editing to improve the odd clumsy sentence through to more comprehensive support to tidy the text. The depth of the edit depends on the state of the material and the client’s preference.
Whatever the level of editing, I’m sensitive in my corrections and constructive in my suggestions. I know which changes are essential, which are preferred and which are simply a matter of taste. Copy-editing isn’t about being unnecessarily pedantic and trampling on an author’s writing style; the aim is to ensure that the writing reads well and follows the standard rules of English grammar and style.
Why work with a copy editor?
If your book is to be clear, engaging and marketable, then the writing needs to be of a good standard.
The reader wants to follow your story or argument without being distracted by spelling mistakes or misplaced apostrophes or muddled grammar. They want to easily understand your meaning, to follow the logical flow of the writing, to trust that you are a capable writer.
Editorial issues like awkward phrasing, ambiguity, inconsistency and repetition stand as a barrier between the author and the reader. You may have written an amazing story or an insightful non-fiction book, but the reader will struggle to connect with it because you’re not communicating well. Copy-editing breaks down that barrier, enabling you to reach your reader and inspire/move/entertain/educate them.
Some authors need only minimal editing support, while others need more intensive editing, but all authors, no matter how experienced or skilled, can benefit from a copy editor’s input. That’s why every book published by a publishing house is copy-edited before publication.
The reader wants to follow your story or argument without being distracted by spelling mistakes or misplaced apostrophes or muddled grammar. They want to easily understand your meaning, to follow the logical flow of the writing, to trust that you are a capable writer.
Editorial issues like awkward phrasing, ambiguity, inconsistency and repetition stand as a barrier between the author and the reader. You may have written an amazing story or an insightful non-fiction book, but the reader will struggle to connect with it because you’re not communicating well. Copy-editing breaks down that barrier, enabling you to reach your reader and inspire/move/entertain/educate them.
Some authors need only minimal editing support, while others need more intensive editing, but all authors, no matter how experienced or skilled, can benefit from a copy editor’s input. That’s why every book published by a publishing house is copy-edited before publication.
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‘Charlie was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her professionalism, expertise and advice were invaluable on what was a difficult project and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!’
Caitlin Flynn, Publishing Officer, Imperial War Museums |
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My copy-editing service
My job as a copy editor is to ensure that the writing reads well, and that it’s clear, accurate and consistent. I do so respectfully, without undertaking significant rewriting, tidying the book through editing and raising queries for issues that require the author’s input.
When I copy-edit, I don’t worry about developmental issues, such as a plot weakness or lagging pace; I focus on how the author is communicating. (If you want a dash of developmental input with your copy-edit, take a look at my Copy-editing Plus service.) As I edit, line by line, I review:
I edit in Microsoft Word, raising queries using the Comments tool and making revisions using Track Changes. This enables the author to see all of my edits and suggestions and choose to accept or reject them, thereby retaining full control of the book.
As I edit, I create a style sheet for the client, to lay down a framework for consistent style in the book. The style sheet includes elements like spelling choices, hyphenated terms, capitalised terms and punctuation style, and it’s a useful reference for the author.
Following the copy-edit, the client goes through my revisions and queries, and is free to come back to me with any questions.
* Note: Copy-editing does not include rigorous fact-checking; for this you need a dedicated fact-check. Nor does it include legal advice; I’m an editor, not a lawyer. And if you’re writing about a marginalised group, please consider working with a sensitivity reader from that group.
When I copy-edit, I don’t worry about developmental issues, such as a plot weakness or lagging pace; I focus on how the author is communicating. (If you want a dash of developmental input with your copy-edit, take a look at my Copy-editing Plus service.) As I edit, line by line, I review:
- Accuracy: Are there misspellings or misused words? Are there missing or extraneous words and punctuation marks? Are names spelled correctly? Are dates right? Do numbers add up? Do all cross-references marry up? Is numbering sequential? Are there any glaring factual errors?*
- Consistency: Is a consistent and sensible style applied throughout the book for aspects of style like spelling, capitalisation, italicisation, hyphenation and numbering?
- Clarity: Is the meaning crystal clear? Is any of the writing vague, ambiguous and/or overly wordy? Do any terms need explanation?
- Tone: Is the tone always appropriate? Are any words undermining the tone? Does the author overemphasise (italics, bold, capitals)?
- Repetition: Are words/phrases repeated in close proximity? Is a particular word/phrase overused in the book? Is there obvious content overlap across chapters?
- Dialogue: Does it sound natural? Is it clear who’s speaking? Are the capitalisation and punctuation correct?
- Sentence and paragraph structuring: Are sentences easy to follow? Do they flow logically? Are any awkwardly phrased or overlong? Are paragraphs manageable chunks and do they focus on one idea?
- Quotations: Are these laid out and punctuated according to industry standards? Are insertions, omissions and alterations handled properly? Are references provided, complete and correctly presented?
- Potential ‘hot potatoes’: Does anything stand out as discriminatory, offensive or non-inclusive?* Are there obvious plagiarism, copyright or libel concerns?*
I edit in Microsoft Word, raising queries using the Comments tool and making revisions using Track Changes. This enables the author to see all of my edits and suggestions and choose to accept or reject them, thereby retaining full control of the book.
As I edit, I create a style sheet for the client, to lay down a framework for consistent style in the book. The style sheet includes elements like spelling choices, hyphenated terms, capitalised terms and punctuation style, and it’s a useful reference for the author.
Following the copy-edit, the client goes through my revisions and queries, and is free to come back to me with any questions.
* Note: Copy-editing does not include rigorous fact-checking; for this you need a dedicated fact-check. Nor does it include legal advice; I’m an editor, not a lawyer. And if you’re writing about a marginalised group, please consider working with a sensitivity reader from that group.
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‘I loved working with Charlie. Her edits made my book the best it could be, so when Little, Brown/Corsair published Being Brooke Simmons as part of a three-book deal, there were hardly any revisions to do thanks to her!’
Karen Clarke, Author |
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Key questions about copy-editing
How much will it cost?
My rate for copy-editing starts at £13 per 1,000 words. For more information on pricing, visit my FAQs page.
How can an author prepare for copy-editing?
Remember that developmental editing comes before copy-editing in the editorial process. It’s best to complete all developmental work on the manuscript before it’s copy-edited.
As you prepare to hand over the manuscript for copy-editing, note down any style choices that you’d like me to apply in the book; for example, you favour the serial comma and Oxford spellings (realize rather than realise). If you’re not sure about style, don’t worry; I can advise you on this.
As you prepare to hand over the manuscript for copy-editing, note down any style choices that you’d like me to apply in the book; for example, you favour the serial comma and Oxford spellings (realize rather than realise). If you’re not sure about style, don’t worry; I can advise you on this.
What comes after copy-editing?
Once the author has finalised the manuscript, it’s ready for proofreading. Some authors consider skipping the proofread, but I advise against this. Copy-editing is not proofreading (see the definitions of copy-editing and proofreading on the website of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading). If you want to meet the standards of the publishing industry, you need to commission a proofread after the copy-edit.
If I’ve copy-edited your book, I’ll recommend that you work with a different professional for the proofread. In the publishing industry, it’s standard for a book to be edited and proofread by different people, because the more eyes on a manuscript, the better. I can recommend a trusted colleague for the proofread.
If I’ve copy-edited your book, I’ll recommend that you work with a different professional for the proofread. In the publishing industry, it’s standard for a book to be edited and proofread by different people, because the more eyes on a manuscript, the better. I can recommend a trusted colleague for the proofread.