Should You Hire a Copy Editor?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Aspiring writers are often told to hire a copy editor, but what does a copy editor actually do? And why should a writer invest in a freelance editor at all? While you might be confident in your manuscript and believe you are ready for submission, hold your horses. It’s on the copy editor to check your final draft for pesky grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and plot inconsistencies. In this era of a very competitive traditional publishing market and of self-publishing, it is becoming increasingly important that writers invest in a copy editor before they click “submit” or “publish” on their life’s work. Let's delve into all things copy editing and figure out whether or not you’re ready to take this next big step on your creative writing journey and work with a pro.
What Exactly is a Copy Editor?
There might be some confusion in the writing industry between the various editorial roles and terms, but a copy editor is someone who reads the manuscript word by word and line by line. They aren’t a developmental editor who comments on big story issues, and they’re not a proofreader, who cleans up the manuscript for a final polish. They can sometimes be called a line editor, and they are concerned with the smaller details of one's written work, such as grammar, punctuation, syntax, spelling, and formatting. A copy editor works on the overall quality of the text and language, allowing the writer's words to shine. They will comment on character arcs, plot arcs, and writing voice, but they are generally brought into the process as the writer is almost ready to submit, rather than in the early stages, like a book coach might be.
While the authors are responsible for the development of their premise, characters, and narrative structure, it is the copy editor who ensures it is readable and coherent for the eventual target audience. A good copy editor will work to maintain the creator’s voice and writing style, while still improving the flow of the narrative.
Now that we have a clear idea of what a copy editor does, let's discuss why a writer should consider hiring an editor. Simply put, a copy editor will make your writing look professional and polished. By outsourcing this task, writers can focus on other areas of their writing, such as brainstorming their next book idea or working on their author platform. By investing in a copy editor, you can help your manuscript stand out among the competition. Literary agents, acquiring editors, and publishing houses are much more receptive to manuscripts that are clean and grammatically correct. On the self-publishing side, readers are more likely to buy and leave a good review if they receive a quality product. A copy editor is often regarded as necessary in the writing and publishing journey, and even famous writers use them.
Are You Ready for a Copy Editor?
However, it is important to note that not everyone is ready to hire a copy editor. This step should come at a mature time in your writing process, when you’ve gotten somewhat used to getting constructive criticism on your work. Writers need to understand that while copy editing is the last step before proofreading, it is not a quick fix. A copy editor is there to provide writing feedback and corrections, and you will need to be prepared to handle it maturely. It is also not enough for you to simply make suggested changes and tick all of the boxes on your to-do list, you have to be willing to invest time and effort and additional thought into the revision process as well.
Lastly, if you decide you’re ready for the next step and want to hire a copy editor, you should research and put careful thought into who you choose. Not all copy editors are created equal, and some may not be able to work in certain genres or provide the level of editing that your project needs. Make sure your copy editor is well-versed in your genre and target audience, for example, and that they have professional experience. Anyone can go out there and call themselves an editor for hire, so qualifications are important. It is crucial that the writer and editor have open communication and a mutual understanding of each other's expectations. With the right collaboration and trust, the writer/editor relationship can result in a better quality manuscript.
Copy editing is a vital process in the writing journey. While it may not be for everyone, investing in a copy editor can take your writing to the next level. A copy editor ensures the manuscript is readable, coherent, and precise. It gives you the opportunity to focus on other aspects of the writing process, and you can rest assured that the final product will be polished and presentable. Keep in mind, though, that you will have to revise your project accordingly, even if you work with a top-notch copy editor. With proper research and collaboration, a copy editor can help to make the publishing process a smoother one.
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