Do you puzzle over the difference between editing and proofreading? If so, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common misunderstandings I encounter in my work.
Many people aren’t quite sure of the right label for that thing they want done to their manuscript. And sometimes they’re (unpleasantly) surprised by what they receive when they commission someone to do a particular job for them… because they were expecting the wrong thing.
Editing and proofreading are two separate parts of the publishing process.
Every book needs both editors and proofreaders. Publishing houses always have both, and also sometimes put a book through multiple layers of editing before it ever hits the proofreading stage.
Editors
Depending on the level of editing that’s been commissioned, an editor might make small changes to improve the flow of a book, or large rearrangements, deletions, or suggestions for entire new sections. They help the author identify, refine and achieve the overall goals for their manuscript.
People often assume that as a book editor I just check spelling and punctuation. However, I mostly do developmental and structural editing, looking at the big picture of how a book fits together and what it could become… and correct a bit of spelling along the way. 😉
There’s a story that Ian Fleming’s editor was the one who said James Bond should drink martinis, shaken not stirred. That anecdote may or may not be true, but that’s the type of contribution an editor can make – helping develop what the author has created. (But note that a good editor helps the author find the book that was in THE AUTHOR all along, rather than forcing the editor’s own vision onto the book.)
Proofreaders
Proofreading, on the other hand, is about correcting errors and inconsistencies. For a printed book, it’s done after typesetting, right before the book is published. For an ebook, it’s also done right before publishing, after all the other changes have been made. It’s a surface run, a final check.
A good proofreader:
- Reads every letter of every word, yes, even in headings and footnotes
- Checks every punctuation mark is the right one in the right place
- Notes inconsistencies, such as character names that are wrongly spelled, or special terms that are worded differently on different pages
- Looks for typos, missing words, accidentally repeated words
- Checks that diagrams and illustrations are the right one, in the right place
- In a print book, checks that page breaks fall in an ideal place so you don’t have a heading appearing at the bottom of a page, or a paragraph broken in an unfortunate way
- Checks that chapter headings and page numbers match the Table of Contents
- Doesn’t waste time telling you that you should have set the book in Spain or added an extra chapter, because it’s too late for that!
Ready for take-off
Imagine that book you’re building is a new type of jet airliner.
A developmental editor might test-pilot the early prototype, and make suggestions for improving the aerodynamics, engine speed, wing placement, fuel tank size etc. Other types of editors do various tasks from suggesting the design of the livery to rearranging the seats to make people more comfortable and the staff movements more efficient.
In this situation, a proofreader might be the one who goes around just before takeoff, making sure the tray tables are stowed, everyone’s luggage is in the overhead locker or under the seat in front, and the doors are locked and cross-checked.
There’s no point locking the doors until just before take-off, is there?? That’s why proofreading happens right at the end.
And you still need someone to lock the doors, even if you’ve had all that other input to the earlier stages of development. Likewise, it’s essential to have that last set of eyes proofing a book, because there WILL be typos that have slipped through, and new ones that have been created as the book has gone through the back-and-forth between author and editor.
Editors need proofreaders. Proofreaders need editors. And books need both!
What’s your experience with editors and proofreaders? Join the discussion!
Featured image via Bigstock/firebrandphotography
Excellent article. 🙂
Thanks Anna. 🙂
Great, Informative Post, like this one must be maintained so I’ll put this one on my bookmark list of Professional Proofreading Services. Thanks for this wonderful post and hoping to post more of this. Have Great Day.
This is an important distinction that (I believe) too many people don’t realize. I see so many people advertising themselves as “editors” because they’ve been reading books for many years. Even as a proofreader, attention to detail is very important, let alone knowledge of The Rules. Editing goes way beyond the nuts & bolts stuff. Your explanation is both clear and concise.
Thanks Doug, what you say is so true. Being good at English doesn’t make you an editor… although it’s a good start! It doesn’t make you a proofreader, either. I think editing is an art as well as a competence, but then I would, being an editor myself. 🙂
Great article, Belinda! It’s true, as your commenters above have noted, that editing/proofreading services can be expensive and authors need to be clear about what they’re getting BEFORE they sign up. Thanks so much for clarifying!
So true, Molly. Most indies do not have a money tree in the backyard! It’s very kind of Ruth (above) to share her experience, to help others make wise choices and ask lots of questions.
Thanks for the clarification on this, Belinda. As an independent e-book author finding the budget for the services of a professional editor and a proofreader is difficult. I have a writing buddy who’s very good at pointing out any problems with my storyline and/or characters development – a type of editorial input I guess. As for proofreading, I find reading the manuscript aloud and very slowly helps me find any mistakes.
And nothing beats putting the whole thing away for a month or so and then double-checking it all again before publication.
But when I win the lottery I’ll be paying for proper editorial and proofreading support!
Sally, it’s so true that many people struggle to pay for the various services, and often need to find ways around it. I’ve made some suggestions about how to prioritise spending vs when to seek volunteers in my (free) ebook: Should I Self-Publish?
I’m also a big believer in beta readers, who are those critique partners like your writing buddy. They can work wonders on a manuscript.
Putting it away for a month (or even longer) is also exactly the right thing to do! So many people don’t allow themselves enough space. Well done! Wishing you the best with your endeavours.
Hi Belinda,
A really good post and one that resonates with me a great deal. For my book I employed an editor who cost a lot of money and did mostly proofread although she did a small amount of editing too. What I wanted was help looking at the plot, characters, pacing etc. but didn’t get it. Now I’ve rewritten a large amount but due to the cost of the first editor can no longer afford to have someone look over my book and proofread
I think it’s important to be very clear in saying what you want the editor to do – something I think I was too hazy about.
Oh Ruth, I wish I’d written this a few months back, and saved you that (costly) confusion. 🙁 It’s such a common one, so you are not alone in it! But I guess that’s not much comfort…
You have learned the hard way about checking carefully what an editor or proofreader is expecting to provide for you. It can be hard to know what questions to ask, especially if you’re trusting the professional to guide you. (I feel another blog post coming on…) It’s also important to be aware that sometimes people have set themselves up to do such tasks without having a background in the publishing industry. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re no good at it, but they might also be confused about the different titles for the tasks! So that adds to the confusion.
For indies on a very tight budget, I usually recommend beta readers for some of the editing stages, and then a pro proofreader if at all possible. But of course, it all depends on the type of beta readers we’re able to get. I’m blessed with several outstanding beta readers! I’m working on some resources to help connect people with beta readers, and also to help beta readers upskill. Busy busy.
Very intresting article,I like it very very much!:)
I try my best to proofread my short stories,before I put them up on my-diary.org(example,see Warrior&Healer)and there were a few times,I needed to proofread(not easy when you intentionally misspell a word(s)so,this does help me a lot,whether its entries,stories,or my prompts.
Ciao,
Lady
Thanks Lady. Yes, it’s important to proofread our blogs too… but for most of us there will be a few typos that sneak through!
Belinda, writing this specific post was a great idea as, indeed, many new writers think that five different sets of eyes weeding out typos is enough “editing” before they launch their book. I teach translation, meaning I correct lots of documents written by dozens of people so I consider myself a pretty good proofreader. No, make that a really good proofreader–no need to be modest. However, I wouldn’t self-publish without feedback from a professional editor as, apart from the processes you mention, what I find most important is the process of having my book “trimmed down”. I may be fully involved in my characters’ development and the plot, anxious not to miss a thing, but I’m also aware that a reader’s perspective might be different, and that’s where I need an editor’s opinion. So I’m willing to take suggestions on what to cut out, what part doesn’t work or doesn’t carry the plot forward. Even if that means that I’ll have to “kill my darlings” as Stephen King has famously said. I want the final, edited manuscript to be as readable as possible as that’s the only way a reader will come back for more. (If I’m ready to give more, but that issue we’ve already discussed in your previous post–you’ve inspired me by the way and I intend to write a post about it…some time soon?)
Greetings from Greece!
Maria (MM Jaye)
Maria, I’m so glad you also understand the importance of both editing and proofreading, and I’m sure your books are the stronger for it. Those tasks are not always done for money, depending on the network of volunteers a writer/publisher may have available to them, but they still need to be done.
Tweet me when you’ve written that new post. Always a challenge to finish our WIPs!
Greetings from Australia. 🙂