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Proofreading And Copy Editing Fiction
Writing fiction is a long process. Once a piece of work has been written, it is still nowhere near ready for publication. While many people get them mixed up, proofreading and copy editing are very distinctive parts of the process of editing a manuscript. Copy editing occurs quiet early in the course of publication. When a fiction manuscript is sent to a publisher, while it may be read by the main editor for content and story, the first place it actually goes for actual editing is to a copy editor. The copy editor will ensure that both the dialogue and the narrative flow well, that all the technical concerns such as punctuation, grammar and spelling are checked and corrected, and that there are no plot or character inconsistencies. As well, they will occasionally suggest minor changes that the author might consider in order to improve the work. At this point, the manuscript is returned to the author, who must attend to the recommended edits, though typically they are not obligated to make all the corrections, and have licence to reject suggestions. The author usually has the final say in any editing. When the author has made any changes they deem necessary, wither as suggested by the copy editor or anything they themselves catch on a final reading, the manuscript returns to the publisher for typesetting and a first printing of pre-publication proofs. A proof is an unfinished edition designed for final proofreading. Proofs, sometimes referred to as Advanced Reading Copies, or ARCS, are also regularly mailed to reviewers, experts in the field and other writers for reviews and comments. It is stated explicitly that these books are not final copies and changes may occur. A proof-reader will work through the printed proof line by line, checking it against the final, pre-printed manuscript. They look for any typos, or typeset errors, and ensure that there were no inadvertent changes to the original version. At this point in the process, it is considered too late for any major changes to the work, so they do not fix large writing errors or make substantive change suggestions to the author. While both editing jobs are essential to the finished book, as explained, copy editing is a more involved and hands-on job, with significant influence on the work. Proofreaders often work their way into copy editing positions in publishing houses. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Jonathan Ginsburg Essay and Term Paper Assistance |
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