Editing


	Editing


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	Editor - the person who edits material for publication... who prepares an edition of a literary work... who selects or commissions material for publication... who has charge of the running and contents of a series of publications... who is responsible for the style and content of a book, journal, newspaper or other media... the head of a department of a publishing house...


	Editing


	Design


	Business papers


	What does the editor do? Naturally, the editor corrects mistakes, spelling errors, punctuation and grammar. But there are also other matters that need attention, including inconsistencies, inaccuracies, clumsy language, jargon, bureaucratic-speak, wrong names and titles, brand name inaccuracies. . . The editor also checks the cross-references, indexes, tables of contents, footnotes and other material. The editor will alert the author to copyright infringements, instances of plagiarism, offensive material and possibly libellous statements.


	Manuscript assessment


	This page discusses: What does the editor do? What is a "style"? How can the editor help? When does the editor come on board? Copy-editing Why do you need to edit? Proofreading Editing stages


	Children's books


	Speculative fiction


	Submission guidelines


	Price list and recent projects


	Contact details


	What is a "style"? People in many countries use the English language, but not many realise that there are different conventions, idioms, sayings and even spellings in each version of "English". There are major differences between British, American, Canadian, Australian and Australian styles. Even New Zealand has its own English dictionary. The editor aligns writing to the appropriate style - whatever the publisher indicates is their intended market. There is also "house style", mainly used by publishing houses, to make sure all their work is consistent.


	How can the editor help? The editor has seen many publications like yours before, and can tell you if you are reaching the intended audience, speaking in language your market will understand - or if you are "missing the mark", using mixed metaphors, or writing in a style that is unprofessional and inappropriate. The editor is sensitive to the needs of writers, and understands your desire to transmit information to your customers in the best way possible. The editor will help you to convey your message with elegance and accuracy.


	Editing your document helps you to achieve a professional result and reach your audience. The result is a polished production.


	When does the editor come on board? The editor is often involved in the text from an early stage, advising writers, suggesting approaches and calling for more information or re-drafting. If you don't know if your document is ready, you may need an assessment. Preliminary work by an editor can save you time and money, and speed your document into production. If your manuscript is still in draft form it doesn't need copy-editing or proofreading. A draft is a document that is still in the process of being changed, added to, re-thought or re-positioned. If there is still text or graphics to come, if details and facts have not been included or checked, then you have a draft.


	Copy-editing When your work is at the final stage - when you can't make it any better, and there are no more changes to be made - then it is ready for copy-editing. Copy-editing involves careful word-by-word checking of grammar, punctuation, style, inconsistencies, meaning and tone. The editor also "repairs" phrases and words that are odd, incorrectly used or ambiguous. The editor will check cross-references, indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, footers, numbering and flow. Part of the job involves directing the designer how to set like elements, approach the layout, and how to handle the artwork, drawings and graphics. After editing, the final product is much improved and better presented than the writer ever expected.


	Proofreading This stage of editing is the very last time the manuscript is edited, and is an additional once-over before the printer produces thousands of copies of the document. Proofreading is best undertaken after both editing and author corrections have been incorporated, to catch noticeable errors. It is often undertaken at "galley proof" stage, where the mock-up from the designer is checked to see how it looks in page layout. More errors will be picked up in proofreading, and it is important that this stage is not overlooked. Details that ten readers have missed are often picked up here - especially the ones readers will notice. Some products are not proofread (or even edited, for that matter). The client usually finds that the product looks and reads poorly, they are embarrassed by mistakes, and regret the waste of money.


	The editor is trained to spot things that most writers - even university professors - miss. The skills required to be a good editor are nothing like those needed to teach English, write fiction or prepare business reports. The best writers' works need editing. All documents contain errors, and the job of the editor is to minimise these and, if possible, eradicate them.

Editing stages

These include:

Manuscript assessment.

Structural editing.

Copy-editing.

Incorporation of author's comments and editorial changes.

Proofreading.

Typesetting/design.

Final proofread.


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