5 Myths About Editors & Editing
Editors are a curious bunch, and much of what we do remains elusive to writers and the general public. Our work is often shrouded in mystery, as we mostly work behind the scenes. We also make up a pretty small industry. Think about it, how many copy editors do you know?
This all leads to a lot of misconceptions about what we actually do, and can leave authors wary of working with us. Let’s debunk a few common myths about the editorial world and look at some solid truths instead.
Myth #1: A good writer doesn’t need an editor.
Everyone makes mistakes. After all, we’re only human. But errors left in your printed manuscript can be distracting to readers. If you want your book to be clean, professional, and appealing to your readers, you need to have it professionally edited.
When you have spent weeks, months, or even years on a project, you’re too close to the text so be able to spot errors. An editor is completely objective and can not only provide a fresh set of eyes but can also provide valuable feedback and support. Editors are also required to keep up with the latest changes to style guides. Depending on your format (book, magazine article, blog post) or your audience, you may need a different set of rules for writing.
Ultimately, all writers need editors. Even editors need editors. If you’re still unsure about the value of an editor, try reaching out to one asking for a sample edit. You’ll be amazed at what we can do.
“Editing is as much as an art form as writing a creative piece of literature”
Myth #2: All editing is the same.
Most people believe that all editors do essentially the same thing. That’s understandable, as I believed the same thing before I took my first copy editing course. However, this misconception could not be further from the truth. Consider the following analogy. Let’s say that you want to build a custom home. You call an architect to help you refine your vision and design blueprints. Would you call that same architect to install your kitchen cabinets? Of course not. An architect is your big picture person. You’d likely work with a contractor, carpenter, electrician, and plumber as well. Like building a home, there are many steps that take a book from an idea to a printed manuscript.
Editing is one of the most important steps in the book publishing process, but not all editors do the same thing. Let’s take a look at the different kinds of editing available:
Developmental editing addresses various story element issues like plot holes, poorly developed characters, and confusing dialogue. In short, it’s the big picture stuff. A developmental editor will look at the structure and content of your book to make sure the story works well, and in the case of non-fiction, that your argument is clear and fluid. The goal of developmental editing is to examine the broader elements and see what needs further adjustments before moving on to line or copy editing.
Line editing addresses the creative content, writing style, and language use at the sentence and paragraph level. A line editor will look at your manuscript line by line and improve your writing at the micro level, suggesting rewrites for areas that contain awkward phrasing, repetitive text, and run-on sentences. Is your language clear, fluid, and pleasurable to read? Does it make sense? Are there any redundancies or inconsistencies in the text?
Copy editing focuses on your language, or copy. A copy edit will fix issues with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Copy editing makes your manuscript clean and consistent. It is the most frequently needed service in the book editing process.
Proofreading is usually the last stage of the book editing process. It is a final check for any remaining typos before your manuscript is published. A proofreader will look for spelling and grammatical errors, make sure there aren’t any layout or formatting issues, and make sure all references and captions are correct.
Some drafts will need a developmental edit and a heavy line edit. Others manuscripts may only need a light copy edit. But many developmental editors do not offer copy editing, and vice versa. For example, I do not edit fiction or offer developmental editing. If you are writing an epic fantasy and need help with pacing or dialogue, I’m not the right editor for you. I specialize in copy editing non-fiction. Hiring an editor that specializes in the kind of editing you need can take your book from so-so to spectacular.
Myth #3: Editors aren’t necessary in the digital age.
With the advent of self publishing, many writers turn to proofreading tools such as Grammarly or ProWriting Aid to help polish their work. These are excellent tools to keep in your arsenal, and I highly recommend running them on your first draft. However, there are just some things a computer can’t catch. For example, spell check will not differentiate between they’re and their, you’re and your, or two and too. It does not know the difference between less and fewer.
English is a finnicky language, and there are just some things only humans can catch. For example, does your character have blue eyes in one chapter and green in the next? Is your tone of voice appropriate for your intended audience? Do you have redundant paragraphs or technical jargon that will be lost on your readers? A copy editor will be able to solve more advanced issues with your writing and is a necessary ally in your publishing process.
Pro tip: Use proofreading software for casual writing but not for dissertations or manuscripts.
Myth #4: Editors will just embarrass me.
While sharing your creative work with a complete stranger may seem terrifying, editors are not out to embarrass you. I can’t stress this enough — editors are not your enemy. We’re in this business because we love books and the people who write them. Most editors have a deep and profound respect for authors. We want to work with you in order to achieve a shared vision.
We’re often your biggest cheerleaders. Most people envision editors slashing through all their hard work and judging every mistake they make, but professional editors want to refine your work, not rewrite it. We don’t expect authors to catch dangling modifiers or hyphenate their compound modifiers — that’s our job. We love working with authors and helping them achieve their dream of publishing.
Myth #5: Anyone can edit my writing.
It’s never a bad idea have a trusted friend or family member review your work and give you feedback, especially if you happen to know someone with a keen eye for finding errors. This can save you time and money in the long run, because the cleaner your manuscript is, the less expensive it will be to have it professionally edited. The more your writing is laden with errors, the more time it will take for an editor to produce a clean copy — and that adds up.
Still, even your English-teacher friend can not replace a professional copy editor. (I should know, I used to be an English teacher.) That’s because copy editing involves a lot more than just catching grammatical errors. Copy editors keep current with trends in the genres they edit and know what publishers and readers are looking for. In addition, they’re asking the deeper questions. Is your argument tight? Is your prose clear?
We also make sure that hyperlinks work, and we check that dates, phone numbers, and addresses are correct. We review your manuscript and let you know if you need permissions for photos, quotes, or songs. We let you know if you need to consult a publishing attorney or if you’re using a trademarked word (WiFi, Crockpot, Chapstick, Kleenex, etc.).
The truth is, we’re professionals that love authors, we train a lot for what we do, and we’re to help. No red pens. No judgment. We gently guide you in the right direction and help make your book the best it can be. Really, what’s better than that?