Editing and proofreading are mandatory, in order to produce good written content for public dissemination. They are two different but essential parts of the preparatory process for publishing.
Although many people use the terms interchangeably, editing and proofreading comprise two different stages of the revision process. Although both entail close scrutiny and careful reading, they focus on different aspects of the writing and employ different techniques.
Editing involves reading through the manuscript (or any written material) to check for things like grammar, punctuation, spelling, repetition, the correct use of words, accuracy of meaning, content and sentence & paragraph structure and, in the case of novels, memoirs and short stories, all the other features that comprise the telling of a good, coherent story.
Proofreading entails fine-tuned, focused re-reading to pick up any overlooked errors and to make any necessary revisions or subtle rewrites to improve the manuscript.
When reading through a manuscript in the proofreading phase, i.e. without all the editing notations and as “free-flowing text”, one gets a much clearer sense of the way that the words fit together in sentences and paragraphs, much like how the combined notes that comprise a musical composition sound when the piece is played in its entirety on an instrument.
In this advanced technological age, many writers think that they can rely solely on on-line spelling and grammar checkers. Although both are useful tools, they are far from foolproof, as they are unable to pick up the nuances and connotations of everything in a written piece, nor correctly assess spelling and grammar in every context.
In addition, I provide a supplementary document entitled “Editor’s Notes and Comments” with each returned, edited manuscript to explain why certain changes have had to be made, and/or to query anomalies and make suggestions.
This in-depth feedback report is an additional service not usually provided by other editors; however, it assists authors in understanding the rationale behind the amendments that I’ve made to their work. It can also be used as a teaching tool or guide to improve upon and enhance any writing that they may do in the future.
Proofreading is the next and very important part of the preparatory process, especially for works that are going to be published and publicly disseminated. By the time a document is ready to be proofread, it should have been edited already to ensure that its contents all make sense and that it is well-organised, well-written and comprehensible.
The proofreading phase commences after the author has made the suggested editing changes and the manuscript has been professionally typeset by the publisher. It consists of removing any typos or little errors that may have inadvertently crept in, fine-tuning the text, and correcting any inconsistencies in the final layout and formatting of the material.
Some key features that I check during the proofreading phase:
As a professional editor, I understand the conventions of English writing and the nuances of the language and am able to identify and eliminate the common errors that often compromise written works.
Proofreading ensures that the final product is of an overall high standard, is error-free and communicates its message clearly, accurately and comprehensively. The credibility of the author, the influence and impact that the written material will have on its readers and the effectiveness of what is being communicated, are all dependent on the quality and proficiency of the writing.
Primarily because I love what I do and am proficient at it!
I believe strongly in the power of the written word and I want all my clients’ work to be as good as it can possibly be. To that end, I put my heart and soul into every manuscript or document that I work on, so that my clients are able to produce high-quality written material that is both professional and compelling. I do my best to ensure that they end up with a first-rate finished product that they can be proud of and feel confident about publishing.
