The world of words: 5 copyediting tips

copyediting

Laura Kemmerer is an Editorial Consultant with a passion for publishing. Under her business, Laura Cat Copyediting, Laura works with companies such as Limitless Publishing and Mobile Electronics Magazine. Here are a few of her tips for effective copyediting.

1) Brush up on the basics often

After being at the computer for over ten hours, I sometimes find myself getting tripped up over the basics: who/whom, lie/lay/laid. While digital fatigue can throw a wrench into the brain of the most seasoned editing veteran, it is important to spend time brushing up on those basics once we are well-rested. This practice keeps us on our toes while continuing to solidify our mastery of language.

2) Brevity is not always king

While brevity reigns in both business and legal writing, when we work with other fields we must remember that depending on the end product, such as a memoir, there is a time and place for artistic license. Your editorial eye on a legal document should be tight and concise, but you must also remain flexible enough to have a wider vision for other forms of work.

3) Invest in style guides that are beyond your editorial sphere

The first style guide I ever purchased was the Associated Press Stylebook. As time has gone on and the scope of the projects I have worked on has changed, I find myself occasionally adding to the pile of style guides I own. While you may work primarily with the Chicago Manual of Style or New Hart’s Rules, I would advise that you invest in style guides that are beyond your working scope. Having at least a passing familiarity with different styles will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

4) Take on projects that aren’t necessarily in your comfort zone

For me, it is very easy to become comfortable working on a certain type of project. Knowing your strengths, especially as a freelancer, is invaluable, but there is a time and place where we need to push past our comfort zone. In doing so, we expand our skill sets and gain new editorial experience. (Plus, you may find yourself delving into a subject you didn’t know you loved.)

5)  Learn when to leave the author’s voice alone

Time and time again I have found myself tempted to reword a passage from top to bottom because I think it might “sound better” another way. If the rewording does nothing for the original writing, such as making something more clear or more fluid, it’s time to take a step back and realize that it is best to leave the author’s voice alone. Your personal voice should not trump the voice of the author.

Related Articles

Responses

  1. I’d add another. Constantly look for tricks to make a passage just a tiny bit better. Good writing is not magic. It is a result of learning hundreds of those little tricks and constantly applying them.

Comments are closed.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

BookMachine Ltd. will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.