Copy editing is when a professional copy editor reads your manuscript and corrects as many of the grammatical mistakes in your work as they can. This includes everything from comma placement and semicolon use to spelling and syntax. Getting copy editing helps your work look more professional and creates a manuscript that is easier to read.
Grammar Checking Software
You’ve probably heard of programs like Grammarly or ProWritingAid. This software helps you by flagging locations where it notices inappropriate punctuation, misspellings, or other wording issues. The main thing you need to understand about these programs is that, while they are helpful, they can never replace a professional who understands the style guide you choose to follow.
It’s not unheard of for customers to leave poor reviews for a book (even when the content or story was relatively well done) simply because it had too many grammatical errors. These problems can make pieces harder to read, leaving customers feeling like they just waded through a vat of glue instead of humming along and enjoying the story or education they were receiving. Authors who opt to skip copy editing completely, try to do it own their own, or leave it up to a piece of software can end up in this frustration and embarrassing situation.
Mind you, there is not such thing as perfect. I’ve been reading books on a daily basis since the late 1980s and I have yet to come across a book that has zero errors in it. It’s likely that days, months, or even years after your book has been published, you’ll notice some typos such as missing words or awkward punctuation. It can help to understand that you are in good company since every book has these small mistakes in them. The strongest writers tend to get their audience so entranced by the story or so immersed in the information that readers don’t even notice.
Finding a typo doesn’t mean you need to stop selling the book or demand a refund from your copy editor or proofreader. Just take it as a lesson learned so you can watch out for similar mistakes in the future. It’s a humbling, difficult perspective to adopt. But, if you choose to do so, you may find that writing and publishing books is a lot more pleasurable and a little less stressful.
Algorithms are Too Stiff
Any grammar programs simply use algorithms to find and highlight suspected problems. This doesn’t mean that the program is automatically correct. Where new writers slip up is when they believe that the software is always right, so they just make all the changes presented to them. This is why a professional is so important. They know when the algorithm is wrong and can side-step weird changes in your manuscript that your software might encourage you to make.
Here’s an example.
Terrace couldn’t believe that there eyes could move so swiftly everyday. But the informal communication he had with his father each mourning could be wrong because his father was an all knowing man. His daydreaming almost caused him not to break early enough to avoid read-ending the motorcycle in front of him. He asked the AI in his car, “What sorts of places are interested in going?” But, as Automaton always responded, it only told him “Wherever you wood like to go, Tee.” He pulled the weapon from beneath his seat as his car approached the apartment complex, clicking on the heat seeking function.
Chances are, even if you have a grammar checker installed on your browser, you have few or no highlights on the passage above. Yet, there are multiple mistakes that a human likely would be able to understand and correct.
- ‘Terrace’ should be ‘Terrance.’
- ‘There’ should be ‘their.’
- ‘Everyday’ should be ‘every day.’
- ‘Mourning’ should be ‘morning.’
- ‘All knowing’ should be ‘all-knowing.’
- ‘Break’ should be ‘brake.’
- ‘Are interested’ should be ‘are you interested.’
- ‘You wood like’ should be ‘you would like.’
- ‘Heat seeking’ should be ‘heat-seeking.’
There are ample situations in which a grammar checker can either flag something as being incorrect when it’s actually fine, not flag something that needs to be flagged, or suggest changes that don’t make any sense. Human beings have the executive decision-making power to apply judgement to the situation and figure out what the best option is for the manuscript.
When to Get a Copy Editor
Copy editing is the last major adjustment to your text. This means it should come after developmental editing and line editing have been completed. If you haven’t at least done developmental editing, copy editing is not going to be as effective. Each part of the book editing process has a specific sequence that helps the individual services be as high-quality as possible.
Imagine your manuscript is a floor. If line editing is sweeping, copy editing is mopping. If you mop (copy edit) without sweeping (line editing), you just end up with a wet, dirty mess. But if you sweep first and then mop, you end up with a well-cleaned floor.
Finding Professional Copy Editors
Check INeedABookEditor.com, The-EFA.org, or ACESEditors.org for seasoned professionals to help you with your copy editing.
You could try places like Fiverr.com or Craigslist.org, but you’ll need to do a little extra leg work to figure out if the people you hook up with are legit. Literally anyone can start a profile or post an ad and call themselves a copy editor. Unfortunately, if you don’t know what to look for in a quality copy edit (as many new authors don’t), you run the risk of someone flaunting how “fast” they are, or how “cheap” they are as opposed to how thorough and experienced they are.
Does this mean it’s impossible to find quality editors on these kinds of websites? Not at all. Just make sure that you take your time, ask questions, and do your due diligence to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Next Step
After your copy editing is completed, it’s time to move on to the design phase for your work. If you haven’t already, now is the time to consider what the design of your cover will look like. If you’ve already established a cover, it’s time to hire a typesetter to do the layout for your text and your cover files.