Another copy editor here! One thing I say to try to reassure writers is that my role is to be an advocate for *you* and for the *reader*. I'm trying to catch all the places a reader might get tripped up or distracted, whether that's lack of clarity or consistency or correctness. I'm trying to make sure your voice and your text are shinin…
Another copy editor here! One thing I say to try to reassure writers is that my role is to be an advocate for *you* and for the *reader*. I'm trying to catch all the places a reader might get tripped up or distracted, whether that's lack of clarity or consistency or correctness. I'm trying to make sure your voice and your text are shining as brightly and cleanly as possible.
What I am *not* doing is grading your manuscript! Sometimes great writers have SO MANY copyedits. It's fine! There are no stickers or trophies awarded for "Fewest Copy Edits Ever." The readers (and reviewers, and awards judges) are not ever going to see all the copy edit notes. This does not go on your permanent record.
Final note: Every copy editor knows that it is the author's name on the front cover, not the name of the copy editor. (Although -- please do thank us in your acknowledgements!) We are not interested in ego tussles with authors. We almost all have a story about an author who insisted on mixing US and UK spellings or wanted to die on a hill of split infinitives or had a tantrum over a query. And if that is ever you -- which of course you WOULD NEVER -- then just know that you're sapping the energy of the copy editor to advocate for your voice, your text, and your readers.
Another copy editor here! One thing I say to try to reassure writers is that my role is to be an advocate for *you* and for the *reader*. I'm trying to catch all the places a reader might get tripped up or distracted, whether that's lack of clarity or consistency or correctness. I'm trying to make sure your voice and your text are shining as brightly and cleanly as possible.
What I am *not* doing is grading your manuscript! Sometimes great writers have SO MANY copyedits. It's fine! There are no stickers or trophies awarded for "Fewest Copy Edits Ever." The readers (and reviewers, and awards judges) are not ever going to see all the copy edit notes. This does not go on your permanent record.
Final note: Every copy editor knows that it is the author's name on the front cover, not the name of the copy editor. (Although -- please do thank us in your acknowledgements!) We are not interested in ego tussles with authors. We almost all have a story about an author who insisted on mixing US and UK spellings or wanted to die on a hill of split infinitives or had a tantrum over a query. And if that is ever you -- which of course you WOULD NEVER -- then just know that you're sapping the energy of the copy editor to advocate for your voice, your text, and your readers.