Copy-Editing Goal
From “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter¨ in Butcher’s Copy-Editing
Good copy-editing is invisible: it aims to present the book the author would have written if he had had more time or experience - not, as some new copy-editors think, their own improved version.
In addition:
From “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter¨ in Butcher’s Copy-Editing
If your publisher does not have a rigid house style, it is usually easier and safer to implement consistently the author’s own conventions, provided they are clear and sensible.
In editing, interactions with the author must thus consist of (Butcher 2006, 33-35):
- Reminding of the published or listed house style, on which basis you will be editing, so that the author may preempt such changes
- Inquiring about missing material or establishing agreements on more general/broad/sweeping changes proposed before starting more detailed editing work
- Making note of points where house style differs from author’s style, or suggesting systems to replace parts of a work that are presented inconsistently or unsatisfactorily.
- Mentioning any major changes in layout from that organized by the author
- Explaining why departures from author style and layout have been made
- Recording any joint decisions or agreements with the author, especially on general changes or considerations
copy-editor copy-editing editor editing house_style author_style proof
bibliography
- “Preparing the Text for the Typesetter.” In Butcher’s Copy-Editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-Editors and Proofreaders, 4th ed., 28–68. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2006.