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Line editing involves all of the services provided at the copy editing level, and more.
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Copy editing sometimes floats between proofreading and line editing in terms of definition.
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If you’re still just looking for a service that focuses on the basics of your writing, without a lot of big picture creative feedback, a copy edit is a good call.Īsk any copy editor you’re thinking of hiring about what, exactly, level of detail to expect. Copy editing is one step up from proofreading in terms of thoroughness. You’ll have to figure out how deeply your potential editor is willing to dive. Comments on the overall quality of the writing and writing voice are usually included, but not always. MANUSCRIPT COPY EDITINGĬopy editing looks at the grammar and mechanics of your manuscript, while checking the project at the sentence level for spelling, style, punctuation, etc. While these services are very important, don’t expect creative feedback. These are just some of the services you can purchase piecemeal. Ebook formatting providers and layout designers are in this category as well. They involve formatting your manuscript, and checking the accuracy of your work, respectively. Manuscript formatting and fact checking are similar services. You shouldn’t expect creative feedback with this type of service. Writers looking to self-publish will often spend money on proofreading to give their project a final once-over. Proofreaders look for typos, formatting issues, grammatical mistakes, and other minutiae. But proofreading is a final comb through a manuscript before it goes to print. Proofreading can sometimes be confused with copy editing and line editing. These different types of manuscript editing services, below, are listed in order of comprehensiveness and level of creative feedback on the manuscript, from least to most. A reputable editor will have no problem going over their menu of book editing services in detail. If you’re confused, it’s always best to ask. While my specialty is developmental editing, your project will arrive copy edited as well. I do everything, but a proofreader might only do proofreading. You will also notice that some editors provide all of these services, some provide only one or two. What is line editing? What is copy editing vs proofreading? Developmental editing vs copy editing? Copy editing vs line editing? Developmental editing vs line editing? Ack! No wonder people get confused.īelow, you will find the terms for different types of manuscript editing that you’ll run into. Questions abound when it comes to looking for editorial services. Be careful about what you request, and understand the services offered so that you get the most out of your time and financial investment. If you’re looking into different types of manuscript editing, you may be coming across incorrect, interchangeable, or misleading terms.
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