Your Complete Guide To Copy Editors
Ollie Ander
Is probably just a couple cats in a trench-coat—the hair shedding and sunlight napping are highly suspect.
Some forms of editing, such as Developmental Editing, pertain only to text with a narrative, but Copy Editing is a service that transcends literature confined to novels. Whether it is produced in physical print or posted online, any published text can be Copy Edited. As the most applicable form of editing, it is easy to lose track of exactly what a Copy Editor’s purpose is, and why they are so important. Let’s go over the basics of Copy Editing, how it differs from "Copy Writing," and where to find an editor for yourself.
What is Copy Editing?
To "Copy Edit" a piece of text is to comb through it with a particular focus on accuracy overall and consistency throughout. Copy Editing has degrees of what’s applicable and expected, depending on the particular job.
Copy Editing a novel entails cutting unnecessary words or confusing phrasing to make the text clearer and easier to understand. A Copy Editor is in charge of the finer details. They look at things on a sentence structure basis, making sure the grammar, punctuation, and spelling of a text are correct. This would also include cross-referencing that all instances of terminology used in a story are consistent. If something is Copy Edited well, its flow of text should remain uninterrupted; the process of reading, invisible.
Copy Editing a non-narrative text requires the same tasks listed above, but depending on the purpose of the text, may also include checking non-fiction for factual accuracy, simplifying jargon for general consumption, or minimizing word count to fit a desired goal.
What’s the difference between Copy Editing and Copywriting?
Copywriters are hired to write a text for a specific purpose, usually related to sales. Copy Editing is the act of refining said original text. Although Copy Editing can apply its uses to all of literature (from books to articles to store listings), Copywriting typically only refers to producing a piece of writing for a client to garner a desired consumer interaction.
This distinction between Copywriting and Copy Editing mostly only exists because when you are writing with any intent other than a "Call to Action," there is already an associated term. Writing a book for yourself, just makes you an author. To write a book for sale by someone else makes you a ghost writer. To target a demographic or trend of literature only with the intent to pursue sales is called "writing to market." Writing a review or blog for personal, non-profitable reasons, makes you a blogger. Eccetera.
However, Copy Editing—the act of tweaking a piece of text to be as succinct as possible—can be in reference to your own writing, or paid work for others’.
How to Hire a Copy Editor
The process of hiring a Copy Editor will depend on their association: whether they work under a guild or freelance. As with hiring anyone, I would suggest enquiring through email or applying to work with them through their preferred website’s info form.
Ask for a quote to set expectations. Paying professional rates to an editor can add up, but it is important to respect their wages and not haggle.
If you are worried about the quality of editing you will receive, it is common to ask for a sample edit. An editor of any kind that refuses to provide a sample edit or example of previous work in their portfolio is a red flag.
Referrals are extremely helpful, whether they are from peers praising editors they’ve worked with before, or from previous clients of an editor offering their recommendation after the fact: check their references.
Where to Find a Copy Editor (List)
Although you can self-edit, errors are always bound to slip through the cracks. Few have the eagle eyes that professional Copy Editors possess, which is why their services are so essential. Below is a list of places to find Copy Editors of varying price points and industry experience. Entries with an asterisk (*) are those which seem to work exclusively with books.
Editor Associations + Databases
Before the publishing world shifted toward independent and self-publishing, editors could primarily be sought through organizations. Choosing to act through a pre-vetted guild or database of editors will entail formalities closer to that of traditional publishing: members will have industry experience but will cost more than an untethered freelancer, and likely have quite a lot of demand on their timetable, so turnaround may be slower.
Here is a list of some associations and databases which curate their professional grade editors:
Editing Businesses
There are lots of publishing companies out there that offer editing services. Some operate as a publisher themselves, while others only offer service bundles. This route may be faster, and a little cheaper, but some may handle projects as a house team (ie. you may not get to choose which editor works on your manuscript).
Here are a few businesses that offer editing services, but there are many more out there:
Freelancers
If your priority is time and cost, working individually with a solo freelancer is likely to have the fastest turnaround. If the project is small, some freelancers can promise delivery of copy editing notes within a couple days. It is, however, much riskier to hire a solo freelancer as they are not held to an organization-wide standard. Do your due diligence in checking the experience of who you hire.
Here are some third party sites where you can find and hire editors:
If employing freelancers to polish your work seems like too much to manage, and your interest in publishing stops at writing the book, here’s a $ handy article (and accompanying list) of Indie Publishers$ who could take care of the process for you!
Like what you're reading?
Join other authors like you in NovelPad’s free writing community!
Join the communitySimilar Posts
What File Formats are Accepted by Kindle Direct Publishing?
File types for ebooks, paperbacks, and hardbacks on Amazon's KDP.
Ollie Ander
Is probably just a couple cats in a trench-coat—the hair shedding and sunlight napping are highly suspect.
How long is a fantasy book? Words, pages, chapters, scenes, & prologues
What should wordcount goals look like for a fantasy novel?
S.R. Beaston
Crafty with words, wit, and wisdom, just add caffeine to make it more interesting.
When is the best time to publish a romance novel?
What is the best month and day of the week to publish a romance? Do romance novelists make money?
Rina Fontes Malka
A writer with too many ideas and not enough time.
Do Self-Published Authors Make More Money?
Royalty rates, merchandise sales, ad control, and other ways self-published authors stand to make more money.
Bella Rose Emmorey
book editor, rogue behaviorist, digital marketer, writer, brand builder, plant aunt, and cheese enthusiast.
What is a NovelPad Scene Card? | Organizing Your Novel
S.R. Beaston
Crafty with words, wit, and wisdom, just add caffeine to make it more interesting.
How to Publish on Kindle Unlimited | A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to know about enrolling your book on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited.
Ollie Ander
Is probably just a couple cats in a trench-coat—the hair shedding and sunlight napping are highly suspect.