You've taken the leap and you're ready to send your written project (manuscript or web copy or business report or article draft, whatever it might be) to an editor for review. Congratulations! This is a huge step and it's one that should be celebrated. It's also a step that shouldn't be taken lightly. Having your hard work edited and reviewed by a possible stranger can definitely be daunting, and that's why it's essential to take the time to find the best editor for you and your project. Once you find that person and you sign a contract or agreement and hand over your work, it's important to keep a few things in mind when it comes to the editing process. Here are five things your copy editor wants you to know.
1. We are here to help
It is in our unofficial yet widely followed code of ethics to help first and foremost. A good copy editor knows and understands that this is not an ego boost and it's not about us. This is YOUR work, and we are here to enhance it and help your true voice and talent shine bright. Our goal is to review your work from the point of view of the reader and highlight where we see potential confusion or distracting errors and inconsistencies. If you find yourself having to defend all of your thoughts or stylistic choices or tone of voice in your writing, you might not be working with the right copy editor for you and your project. A copy editor who has your best interests at heart will try their hardest to make sure your work remains your own and not make unnecessary edits just because that's what THEY want to do. There should be a solid, and thoughtful, reason behind all of their suggestions.
2. We are human
We are human. We will make mistakes. We also have feelings. Yes, this may come as a shock to some people, but editors aren't perfect! While we might understand linguistic concepts and conventions better than some, that doesn't mean we know everything. We will miss a typo. We probably won't catch every single error. But a decent copy editor should be able to find and correct most of the errors they encounter, and that's the important part. We want you to understand that there is always a margin of error in editing, and because we are human and have thoughts and opinions and feelings, and different beliefs and personalities and styles, we all edit differently. So please be easy on us! We promise to do the same.
3. We welcome feedback
While we appreciate a little kindness and understanding, we also welcome feedback. Because that's how we learn and get better at our craft. Most copy editors (the ones I know, at least) value communicative relationships with their clients. This allows us both to figure out what is working, what can be tweaked, and how we can move forward together in a positive and productive way. The ideal result of a copyedit is that the author is happy, the copy editor is happy, and most importantly, the reader is happy. Keeping open and honest lines of communication during the editing process is a great way to promote this ultimate outcome.
4. This a judgment-free zone
With all of that being said, we want you to know that this a judgment-free zone. We think it's incredible that you've taken the time to put down your thoughts and ideas and turn them into a beautiful work of art. Writing is not for the faint of heart, and people who write and write well have a very special talent that should always be celebrated. Your copy editor is not laughing at every misspelled word or incorrect punctuation mark. We're not rolling our eyes at plot holes or continuity errors in your timelines. It's our job to look out for and catch these things, and we are certainly not thinking less of you because of them. Without your courage to create magic, we wouldn't have jobs. Remember this if you feel nervous about being judged when you hand over your project. There is no judgment here.
5. We google silly things too
We know how to spell words. We know a lot of grammar rules. That doesn't mean we aren't googling the same things over and over, just to make sure we've got it right. We will also google things when we are fact-checking, and this can lead down a lot of funny rabbit holes. You're not the only one with a questionable search history. We are right there with you.
There are so many other things that can be said, but as a copy editor, these are the things I want any and all of my clients to know when they decide to work with me. The editing process can often be portrayed as a battle between editor and author, fraught with tension and competition, but that should never, I repeat NEVER, be the case. If you don't feel comfortable being transparent with your copy editor and you don't feel like they're being transparent with you, it's okay to decide you want to head in a different direction. Always review the terms of your contract or agreement to see what the steps are for the dissolution of the editing relationship, and really make sure you do your homework when you're searching for a copy editor. This can save a lot of grief further down the road. Once you do find your editor and send them your work, keep these five things in mind and remember to enjoy the process.
If you're a business owner looking to enhance your digital copy in order to boost customer engagement and build client trust, I can help! Send me a message and let's chat about how Put to the Proof Editing Solutions will help your business copy on its journey to be all it was meant to be.
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