I'm a copy editor, and I am so grateful to you for this salve for my soul. We do this because we love your book, too! Honest! But it's easy for writers to get overwhelmed and upset (I know; I'm a writer, too). Thank you for building this bridge to understanding.
I've had some great copyeditors, and I am currently taking some copyediting webinars to help me create cleaner copy so that my next copyeditor doesn't have to do as much; plus, it's interesting! (It had never occurred to me until I watched a webinar for pro copyeditors that I could start a style sheet on my own with items like character names, a few usage choices, timeline etc.--not to override a copyeditor, but just to provide a starter point.)
My one WISH: that our publishing houses would provide a better instruction sheet ahead of time, telling us exactly how to deal with Track Changes and what abbreviations we can use for quick communication, for example. Maybe some houses do provide, but mine doesn't, and each editor seems to work a little differently.
I love that part about the fluidity of the English language. After being a copyeditor for a dozen years, you would think I would be better and more understanding of my own work being edited. And, for the most part, I am grateful. Still, the sight of a squiggle or a bubble takes me back to 3rd grade when Mrs. Smith would stand over me and say: "Were. You mean Were, not Was. Do it again."
Another copy editor here! One thing I say to try to reassure writers is that my role is to be an advocate for *you* and for the *reader*. I'm trying to catch all the places a reader might get tripped up or distracted, whether that's lack of clarity or consistency or correctness. I'm trying to make sure your voice and your text are shining as brightly and cleanly as possible.
What I am *not* doing is grading your manuscript! Sometimes great writers have SO MANY copyedits. It's fine! There are no stickers or trophies awarded for "Fewest Copy Edits Ever." The readers (and reviewers, and awards judges) are not ever going to see all the copy edit notes. This does not go on your permanent record.
Final note: Every copy editor knows that it is the author's name on the front cover, not the name of the copy editor. (Although -- please do thank us in your acknowledgements!) We are not interested in ego tussles with authors. We almost all have a story about an author who insisted on mixing US and UK spellings or wanted to die on a hill of split infinitives or had a tantrum over a query. And if that is ever you -- which of course you WOULD NEVER -- then just know that you're sapping the energy of the copy editor to advocate for your voice, your text, and your readers.
Yaaaaay!! I love the copyediting stage. It's like finally getting to the point where the bathroom sinks are glistening and the mirrors are spotless. And you're absolutely right about saintly copyeditors.
When the book FINALLY gets to copyediting, it feels so much more real. I love your perspective on the chaos of all the bubbles. Yes, they are necessary. No, the perfectionistic part of me doesn't like that chaos, but I understand the process.
Every writer needs to adopt your attitude about this, Kate! This is the stage where writers need to recognize they've embarked on a collaborative process. The writing alone part is long over; now it's time to let other experts get you over the finish line. But I have to laugh about "ok" vs "OK." In one of my books, the editors insisted on spelling it out, i.e., "okay." So now I always spell it out! I guess I stand to be corrected in the future!!
Your post was a very fun and informative read. I am halfway through the 5th draft of my first novel and on the hunt for a copy editor.
I need a specific type though. I'm making use of Pidgin English and African languages. This is among other cultural idiosyncrasies pertinent to my book.
Anyway, thanks for reminding me the process is worth it! The hunt continues.
I appreciate this. I'm going into my first professional copyediting stage any time now ( like in the next hour or two). I was using google docs with my friends to beta read and I accepted or deleted their comments and then lost track of wtf was going.
I'm so looking forward to using Microsoft Word Free.
In spite of they're being saints, it's hard to be corrected when we write for ourselves (which, admittedly, is not a good strategy for success, although one for happiness).
In my old life I wrote grants and policies and procedures and other boring things. Everything was reviewed by one or two people. I understand the track changes little bubbles. Yes, they can be annoying, but these papers needed to be in tip top, perfect shape, something that wouldn't embarrass me or the top brass. Those edit bubbles saved my life more than once and I am forever grateful.
I'm a copy editor, and I am so grateful to you for this salve for my soul. We do this because we love your book, too! Honest! But it's easy for writers to get overwhelmed and upset (I know; I'm a writer, too). Thank you for building this bridge to understanding.
I've had some great copyeditors, and I am currently taking some copyediting webinars to help me create cleaner copy so that my next copyeditor doesn't have to do as much; plus, it's interesting! (It had never occurred to me until I watched a webinar for pro copyeditors that I could start a style sheet on my own with items like character names, a few usage choices, timeline etc.--not to override a copyeditor, but just to provide a starter point.)
My one WISH: that our publishing houses would provide a better instruction sheet ahead of time, telling us exactly how to deal with Track Changes and what abbreviations we can use for quick communication, for example. Maybe some houses do provide, but mine doesn't, and each editor seems to work a little differently.
I love that part about the fluidity of the English language. After being a copyeditor for a dozen years, you would think I would be better and more understanding of my own work being edited. And, for the most part, I am grateful. Still, the sight of a squiggle or a bubble takes me back to 3rd grade when Mrs. Smith would stand over me and say: "Were. You mean Were, not Was. Do it again."
Same, and same!!
Another copy editor here! One thing I say to try to reassure writers is that my role is to be an advocate for *you* and for the *reader*. I'm trying to catch all the places a reader might get tripped up or distracted, whether that's lack of clarity or consistency or correctness. I'm trying to make sure your voice and your text are shining as brightly and cleanly as possible.
What I am *not* doing is grading your manuscript! Sometimes great writers have SO MANY copyedits. It's fine! There are no stickers or trophies awarded for "Fewest Copy Edits Ever." The readers (and reviewers, and awards judges) are not ever going to see all the copy edit notes. This does not go on your permanent record.
Final note: Every copy editor knows that it is the author's name on the front cover, not the name of the copy editor. (Although -- please do thank us in your acknowledgements!) We are not interested in ego tussles with authors. We almost all have a story about an author who insisted on mixing US and UK spellings or wanted to die on a hill of split infinitives or had a tantrum over a query. And if that is ever you -- which of course you WOULD NEVER -- then just know that you're sapping the energy of the copy editor to advocate for your voice, your text, and your readers.
Any editor or writer who does not bow down and worship their copyeditor should not be allowed to edit or write. Same goes for their project manager.
Hard agree. Copy editors are saints.
I think the OXOXOXOXOX is actually supposed to start with an X....
(Sorry, just kidding.)
Yaaaaay!! I love the copyediting stage. It's like finally getting to the point where the bathroom sinks are glistening and the mirrors are spotless. And you're absolutely right about saintly copyeditors.
Hurrah for “novel usage”!
Great as usual, Kate! Commas aren’t into me, either (or “me either”).
When the book FINALLY gets to copyediting, it feels so much more real. I love your perspective on the chaos of all the bubbles. Yes, they are necessary. No, the perfectionistic part of me doesn't like that chaos, but I understand the process.
Every writer needs to adopt your attitude about this, Kate! This is the stage where writers need to recognize they've embarked on a collaborative process. The writing alone part is long over; now it's time to let other experts get you over the finish line. But I have to laugh about "ok" vs "OK." In one of my books, the editors insisted on spelling it out, i.e., "okay." So now I always spell it out! I guess I stand to be corrected in the future!!
House styles can be so persnickety! There really are a lot of correct ways to write the same thing, but each house must do things its own way.
Stick to your guns Amy. Spelling it OK looks like shorthand to me.
This is my first comment on Substack.
Your post was a very fun and informative read. I am halfway through the 5th draft of my first novel and on the hunt for a copy editor.
I need a specific type though. I'm making use of Pidgin English and African languages. This is among other cultural idiosyncrasies pertinent to my book.
Anyway, thanks for reminding me the process is worth it! The hunt continues.
You’re not alone about the misery of Track Changes. And also in your gratitude for the work of editors…the mortification they have saved me from!
I appreciate this. I'm going into my first professional copyediting stage any time now ( like in the next hour or two). I was using google docs with my friends to beta read and I accepted or deleted their comments and then lost track of wtf was going.
I'm so looking forward to using Microsoft Word Free.
In spite of they're being saints, it's hard to be corrected when we write for ourselves (which, admittedly, is not a good strategy for success, although one for happiness).
In my old life I wrote grants and policies and procedures and other boring things. Everything was reviewed by one or two people. I understand the track changes little bubbles. Yes, they can be annoying, but these papers needed to be in tip top, perfect shape, something that wouldn't embarrass me or the top brass. Those edit bubbles saved my life more than once and I am forever grateful.