The Benefits of Being Professionally Copyedited
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.
Being copyedited is an important step in the writing and publishing journey, but a lot of writers either aren’t familiar with copyediting, or don’t know why it’s so crucial. Writing a manuscript is a huge accomplishment for any writer, but it's just the first step in the long and sometimes challenging journey of getting published. After spending countless hours brainstorming, drafting, and revising your manuscript, you might believe it's ready for publication or self-publishing. However, even the most experienced writers make mistakes, and self-editing often results in errors that can be detrimental to a manuscript's potential for success. That's where being copyedited by a professional comes in. Here, I'll explore the benefits of being copyedited, and what writers should do before seeking out such a service.
Why Does My Manuscript Need to be Copyedited?
The main benefit of being copyedited is obvious: an editor with years of experience working in the publishing industry will have a keen eye for detail and will spot errors and inconsistencies you may have missed. Writers are historically bad at being objective about their own work, and repetition can dull their attention to detail. Moreover, the professional copyeditor will be able to offer valuable suggestions and critiques to enhance the manuscript's overall quality.
A copyeditor will not only help tighten up the writing style and improve the clarity and logic flow of any story, but they'll also guide the writer in their word choice, writing voice, and other technical and stylistic elements of writing. Overall, a copyedited manuscript will be more polished, professional, and marketable for traditional publishing or self-publishing.
Should All Manuscripts be Copyedited?
Keep in mind, though, that hiring a professional and getting copyedited isn't necessary for every writer. Some writers may not yet have the maturity in their craft to work with a professional editor effectively, and some don't have the means to afford one.
It's important to know that working with a professional copyeditor demands an open mind and a willingness to accept constructive criticism. The copyeditor's job is to improve a manuscript, and a writer must be prepared to revise parts of their work, which not only requires patience and creativity, but a deep conviction in the story's potential.
Before moving toward getting copyedited, writers must do their homework. They'll need to research professional copyediting services, ask for referrals from fellow writers, and look for editors who have experience working in the same genre and category as their manuscript.
They'll also need to have a realistic understanding that there will likely be errors and corrections in their manuscript, and that these will take time and effort to revise. Nobody’s work is 100% perfect, not even multi-published authors’.
If budget is a concern, it's important to remember that not every copyediting service is equal. Instead of springing for the least expensive option you find, see if you can join a critique group or get a beta reader. There are different types of editing, and copyediting https://goodstoryediting.com/copyediting is a pretty specific specialty, but you might be able to find other ways to get copyedited without breaking the bank.
Mentally Preparing to Be Copyedited
It's important to have realistic expectations when getting a manuscript copyedited. Copyediting isn't about making a manuscript perfect (there’s no such thing with a creative project), but about improving its weaknesses, enhancing its strengths, and making sure it's marketable to publishers or to self-publishing platforms. With a professional’s touch, a copyedited manuscript has the potential to soar.
Professional copyediting services remain an essential investment for writers hoping to publish traditionally or intending to self-publish (where you, or a copyeditor, are the last line of defense before readers see the project … and start complaining about proofreading errors in the reviews). A professional editor can make a manuscript more marketable, and with their help, writers can sharpen their writing and improve their storytelling.
It's important to remember that working with a professional copyeditor requires an open mind and maturity in the craft and that not everyone might be ready for a professional review of their work. However, for those who are prepared to make the investment, the benefits can make the difference between slush pile success, another revision, or shelving the project altogether.
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