Sunday, October 14, 2018

What Book Copyediting Generally Entails

By Patrick Ward


Before you publish your writing, it is important to make sure that the content that is written has no grammar mistakes. Book copyediting should be immediately done for you to provide your readers with high-quality work. The process is not as easy as it sounds as there is much to be done. If you are thinking about doing it, below are guidelines of what you need to do. Most of the companies have hired professionals to do specific tasks.

The company may ask the writer about the background information regarding the project. Such questions include the ideal audience, targets for the written content and the style preferences you have. The information you provide is important as it ensures that the corporation you have hired edits your work as required.

An important task that is involved in the checking work is proofreading. A proofreader can effectively do the task of correcting punctuation, spellings and grammar mistakes overlooked by the writer. When proofreading, you are required to follow the guidelines of the writer as far as the text length is concerned. It also needs to be in line with the glossary and house style guidance.

Content checking should also be done. The key task an editor should carry out is to make sure that the manuscript edited has meaning. He or she is required to clear misunderstanding that may appear in wording or the phrases making the readers confused. After this step is carried out, the manuscript must be returned to the writer who will do the clarification. This type of task requires someone who is skilled and has a good understanding of what is required. It is basically carried out by a person who has undergone training.

Fact-checking is also included in the entire process. It entails checking if the text that is written is right. A majority of the available firms have set procedures and will need you to offer sources for declaration. If you are responsible for fact-checking, your responsibility is to ascertain that the text has not been imitated. You should also check whether the included quotes have been credited.

Picture editing should be done. Most companies that publish works have a specialist in picture checking. The professionals doing editing may not see the included illustrations until when the content is published. However, other corporations may require an editor to write a caption and confirming the copyright of the image and appropriateness.

As a writer, before you give out your project, it is important you self-edit it yourself. This involves familiarizing yourself with the manuscript another time and correcting mistakes. This may include fixing typos or even rewriting a chapter. But before you do so, take some time for you to look at your work with fresh eyes and afresh mind ready to read every word. This allows you to truly view your manuscript and determine if you wrote what you meant.

You can then give it to beta readers. These are volunteers who can read the work and offer you feedback. They are not professionals like editors but can spot issues before the checking process is started. When you are searching for beta readers, look for individuals who have an idea of the subject or are a fan of the genre. They should provide honest feedback that is needed.




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