Copyediting, Line editing, Proofreading - what's the difference and what do you need?

"How much do you charge for proofreading?" sounds like a very innocent question, and one that should be easy to answer.

Unfortunately, a short answer is probably going to be wrong. Or at least make somebody unhappy (me or my client).

It seems like everyone - including the "experts" - have different ideas about what constitutes proofreading, light editing, copyediting...you get the idea.

This is why, when asked to quote a job, I usually say, "Well, it depends. What do you want?"

I"m not hedging. I'm trying to get it right - for all involved.

Below are links to some "definitive" descriptions about "general" proofreading and editing work. Keep in mind, these are general guidelines for "regular" copy. Typically, costs to edit industry-specific or very technical writing are double or even higher.

• A book editor's view from 2015
• An editors' forum tries to nail Jello to the wall...
• And what The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill tells students about proofing and editing

______________________________________________________
Would you like some help proofreading or editing your marketing copy, website, or other business communications? Let's talk. Let's get it right.

OH, that's why I hate to cook...

In TheKitchn blog, poet, Zen master, and masterful chef Jane Hirshfield very artfully explains why I don't like (borderline-hate) to cook:

The only way to answer the question "what else" is to imagine a range of possibilities, and then, before adding one in, taste them first in your mind and then with your nose (the miraculous kitchen organ of first-draft preview, since, unlike words on a page, ingredients added can't then be removed). It’s the same with a poem, of course—you may have some starting direction of thought or feeling, but the actual poem will be made by its "what elses"—the details of world and word that make it the only possible way to say what it says.

Yep. It's that whole ingredients-added-can't-then-be-removed thing that disturbs me so.

In writing, there's editing.

In gardening, there's weeding, pruning, uprooting, replanting...

But in cooking, there's toss it in, and then like it or lump it.

I think I'll go out for lunch now. 

~Diane Stresing

Guest Post: Debbie Alferio

Debbie Alferio is the award-winning author of the Forever Love fictional romance series. She writes without outlines and is quick to say she hasn’t received any formal writing training, and gushes about her crush on Country Music recording artist Chuck Wicks, the inspiration for her books' main character.

Unapologetic about her aversion to outlines and her self-published status, Debbie offers practical and encouraging advice for other writers, and reminds us how important it is to remain true to yourself.

   ---

Q:

You’re the Ohio rep for Authors Across America and a member of the International Writer’s Association, American Author’s Association, OhioProfessional Writers, and Writer’s Ink. So you’re obviously steeped in writerly advice. But, really, you’ve never used an outline?

A:  

I know of a lot of authors who prefer to use outlines and swear by them, and others who find them restricting.  I fall into that latter group.  On the few occasions I have tried to outline, I've felt like, if I didn't stick to the thing like glue, my finished product wouldn't be worth its weight in salt.  When I write, I like to let the muse take control, and if the plotline or characters happen to change direction midstream, I can go with it.  For me, outlining means feeling too rigid and structured with my writing.  I enjoy the freedom to let the elements of the story unfold as I go along.  Luckily for me, it's worked very well so far!

    ---

Q:

Please, tell us what it’s really like working with AuthorHouse. (And don’t just say “great!”)  Do you act more like an entrepreneur than author? How does the editing process work? What kind of marketing support do you get?

A: 

Am I allowed to say wonderful?  How about fantastic? LOL.  Seriously, my experience with Authorhouse has been very positive.  The company produces a quality product, the staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and although they're one of the larger independent publishers, I've never felt like I was just a number to them. Authorhouse makes my books available through thousands of online outlets worldwide, and they can be ordered via Ingram, Bowker's, and Baker & Taylor. To be honest, I believe that all authors, regardless of the method they use to publish, are entrepreneurs of sorts.  Your book is your business, and ultimately, no one can promote it the way you do.  The company does offer marketing support, and the advice I've received from my Author Services Representatives over the years has been priceless in getting me to where I am now.  As for editing, the company does offer this service; however, I preferred to use my own editors.

    ---

Q:

Would you describe your editing process, then – and how you've found editors?

A:

Let me share a little story.  When it came time to edit A Forever Kind of Love, I was not in a financial position to pay for professional editing services through Authorhouse or from the private sector.  Knowing enough about the process to understand editing is a must, I chose a group of close family and friends to take on the job for me.  I was very grateful for their help; and while they spotted many of the more "obvious" errors like grammar and punctuation, there were a few things overlooked which ended up getting published in the book.  Fortunately, those things are very minor so as not to detract from the overall quality of the story or be picked up in most cases by the reader.  Do they bother me?  Of course---no one wants mistakes in their work, but it does happen, and sometimes even with big-name authors. 

Anyway, the second time around I guess you could say I had "lived and learned" enough to find someone with more actual editing knowledge.  The lady, Arlene Towne, was one of my high school teachers.  Mrs. Towne worked over my 470-page manuscript for "Waiting for Tomorrow" five times--word by word, line by line.  She not only edited, she also mentored me in the proper usage of commas (I tend to be comma-happy!) as well as where dashes and semicolons can be used instead.  She took the time to make sure the work was polished before it went to the printer.  Her diligence paid off in one of the highest compliments I have ever gotten--actually from a friend who is a freelance writer and editor herself.  She told me that "Waiting for Tomorrow" was one of the most perfectly edited works she has ever read!  So, the moral of the story?

There are many ways to find a good editor; just be sure that whoever you choose actually knows what to look for.  Be sure they understand the principles of sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, as well as what sounds right to make the story flow.  A good editor is a great asset to you and the success of your work.

  ---

Q:

When you conduct writing workshops, what’s the most surprising thing you tell new (or old!) writers? What do you think is the “aha” moment for those listening to you?

A:

New writers often are surprised when I tell them that I make a higher royalty per sale being independently published than some of the traditionally-published authors I know, and that they often do as much marketing as I do.  There seems to be a misconception that traditional publishing houses automatically shower you with money and publicity when you land a contract.  I tell them sure--if your name is Nora Roberts or Clive Cussler!  LOL.  Now, I'm not knocking anyone's choice on how to publish--that's a personal preference.  Traditional publishing has its advantages, but in most cases for the new author, don't expect to get rich or famous overnight.  You still have to work at it.

   ---

 Q:

Promotion is a tough nut to crack for most authors. You’ve shared some very helpful, practical advice on your blog.  Have you done anything sort of quirky or unusual that really paid off?

A:

I'm not sure if it qualifies as quirky, but I've developed a knack for incorporating the phrase, "I'm an author" into just about any conversation or situation I find myself in.  I've been known to tell everyone from the UPS guy to the clerk at the grocery store what I do, and in many instances, it's either resulted in a  book sale or sometimes even a speaking engagement.  I simply make sure to listen and watch for an appropriate window in the dialogue, make a casual mention of my art, and go from there.  It helps, too, that I always carry brochures in my purse for those occasions so that I have something to offer about my work.  Word of mouth is still the best way to advertise!

   ---

Thanks, Debbie! Your advice is helpful and I'm sure it will be appreciated by many new (and not-so-new) writers.

Now, dear reader, can you help me out? I’ve been lucky enough to post advice from Debbie, Derek Taylor Kent, Carmen Ambrosio, and Andrea Richesin so far this year and now, I’m looking for guest bloggers again. If you’re a published author or professional copywriter, and would like to share a few words of wisdom here, please contact me.

I’m also looking for guest writers for my reading blog, where you can chat up your favorite (or most disappointing) reads. I hope to hear from you soon! 

Next up... what should a writer do for the holidays?

On paper: It looks pretty good

Enough about the death of newspapers, books, and with them, perhaps, writing. There's always a bright side, right?

I'm using a lot less paper these days. I anticipate using about half the amount of paper that I did last year (2010) when I used about 25% less than I did the year before (2009). And no, it's not because I'm working less (I've added a client and an ongoing project and last year, I wrote a book). It's because I'm getting much better at editing on screen! (Note: "better" doesn't mean perfect!)

What about you? Has your paper consumption dropped off too?

I've also found more outlets willing to reuse my paper (blank on one side), so now I take anything that doesn't have sensitive info on it to one of two local preschools.

How do you recycle or reuse your stuff? 

Do you encourage clients to include a "think before you print" message in their corporate e-mails? In marketing campaigns? 


Share your suggestions...online, of course.

Online Editing Tips from ACES: Readers Notice Sloppy Writing

I'm not convinced that the web spells the death of decent writing. Sue Burzynski Bullard of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) recently offered 8 tips to improve online editing, especially for news sites. My favorites:

4. Be transparent. “Tell us what you know and how you know it...and tell us what you don’t know.”  (One of my aha! moments in J-school came when a professor told us: what you leave out of the story can bias it as much as what you put in.~ Diane)

and

8. Quality counts. . ."..readers notice sloppiness whether online or in print."

All 8 tips -- all worth reading -- here:
http://www.copydesk.org/resources/2011/tips-for-editing-online
# #

Why Copyeditors Are So 2011

Artificial intelligence just ain't good enough to replace good copyeditors. Not yet, anyway. Do you know what copyeditors do?

The job description goes way beyond spell-checking and perfecting punctuation. An errant ellipse or  extra space can be forgiven when what you're reading makes sense.

That's what copyeditors are supposed to do: make the reading make sense. That's why copyeditors are still relevant today, and why they probably will be for years (or decades) to come.

And here's a newsflash: copyeditors don't necessarily need to know the subject to do a great job. Case in point:  once I caught a math error (me!) in a user manual I was editing on Chromospectography. And the wonderful copyeditor who has vastly improved the second edition of my hiking guide, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Cleveland, managed that not-so-small task while sitting in her office in Birmingham AL. (Thanks, Amber!)

The self-published book business is booming, without copyeditors. But can you name a self-published best-selling novel? I'm pretty sure that's not a coincidence.

No matter what your business, you could probably improve it by hiring a copyeditor - or proofreader. Sure, there are differences between the two, but they're both important to readers (and writers) and quite relevant in 2011. Perhaps even more than ever, as our reading environment changes. (Ever heard of Google Reader, Kindle, or an iPhone app?)

  ~ ~  ~~~ ~ ~  ~~~ ~ ~  ~~~  ~ ~ 

Is there a typo in your sales contract? You'd rather hear about it from someone on your payroll, instead of a former customer's lawyer, right? What about your new employee handbook? Your website privacy policy? Who actually reads those? Well, copyeditors and lawyers... and really upset customers who can make your whole staff miserable. Copyeditors are relevant, and not nearly as dorky as you might think. Find out what one can do for your business. 

The Case for Having an Editor - or Friend

I've been reading a lot of medical journal articles this week (not as bad as it sounds) and finding embarrassing errors, like this:

"Mortal Combat, for instead, is embedded in violence."

(Once you shake off the icky grammar, you can see the author probably meant "instance")

Another, in a questionnaire:

"The think you're most likely to do in your leisure time."

(Pretty sure the author meant "thing")

In both cases, the authors are highly-educated, world-renown scientists. Apparently, they're also prone to the same stupid mistakes the rest of us make when we spend long hours in coffee-fueled typing sessions.

When the errors are few, or found on page 57 of an otherwise solid research paper, they're excusable, yes? Usually, yes.

When the error is on your website where you're selling swimming pools, pink tiaras, or vitamin supplements... you run the risk of losing the sale.

Get an editor, or a friend that reads v e r y c a r e f u l l y.

Proofreading - still not a computer's job

I've been reading a lot of government publications this week, and even though my eyes glazed over long ago, I had to stop and laugh at the "wise variety of legal issues" that one of the documents cited.

I realize some may see having a proofreader on the government payroll as a waste, but folks, if that little gem slipped in the document, don't you wonder what else may have been overlooked?

I do.