I've read that there is an editing stage before publication when a grammarian type of individual carefully edits the book for misplaced commas, etc. 1. Is this correct? 2. What is their title?
Someone who specifically edits punctuation? Line Editor?
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Copy editor is most common, but some houses call them proof readers, line editors, final line editors. They don't just search for grammar usage and punctuation, but also are a double-check for inconsistencies (three arms in a scene where there should only be two, changing eye color, names spelled differently), time line incongruities, and other details within the manuscript.
They're a very, very important part of the process!
They're a very, very important part of the process!
I perform editing and proofreading for a contract service. We distinguish between editing and proofreading in that editing occurs at an earlier stage, and as an editor part of my job is to suggest alternate wording, look for inconsistencies, etc. The author can--and sometimes is expected to--make changes to content or organization following an edit. On proofreading jobs the client is already happy with the content and how it is presented, and I only check punctuation, spelling, subject-verb agreement, etc. The document should be "camera ready" once I've completed a proofread. Of course I will point out more substantial errors in a proofreading job if I find any.
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You will usually have two editors, plus a proofreader. Sometimes the copy editor and the proofreader are the same person, but it's still a very different service. Editing comes first, and proofreading is to make sure the editing was done correctly.
Line editing is usually done by a copy editor, but it's not just copy editing, and it's something you really, really don't want to have happen to your manuscript. It probably means you screwed up royally, and the copy editor needs to try to correct everything you did wrong. This probably will not happen if you're an unpublished writer.
Never, ever pay to have anyone edit your manuscript. And, for that matter, don't even think about depending on the editor at a publishing house to correct a manuscript that's riddled with grammar and punctuation errors. Such a manuscript will likely never sell, or even find an agent, so there will be no chance for an editor to correct it.
As a writer, it's your job to get grammar and punctuation correct. Editors correct minor mistakes, fix typos, etc., but the writer always has to know grammar and punctuation. Always.
Line editing is usually done by a copy editor, but it's not just copy editing, and it's something you really, really don't want to have happen to your manuscript. It probably means you screwed up royally, and the copy editor needs to try to correct everything you did wrong. This probably will not happen if you're an unpublished writer.
Never, ever pay to have anyone edit your manuscript. And, for that matter, don't even think about depending on the editor at a publishing house to correct a manuscript that's riddled with grammar and punctuation errors. Such a manuscript will likely never sell, or even find an agent, so there will be no chance for an editor to correct it.
As a writer, it's your job to get grammar and punctuation correct. Editors correct minor mistakes, fix typos, etc., but the writer always has to know grammar and punctuation. Always.
One thing I was taught early in my publishing career (non-fiction production editor) was that the reason we used proofreaders is that you can't spot your own typos - your brain knows what you meant to write, and just skips the anomalies.
Basically you have to do your best (and preferably get a sharp-eyed writer friend to give it the once-over) - a handful of mistakes may slip through, but there's a big difference between a few errors in the whole book and multiple errors on every page. The difference between acceptance and rejection? Quite possibly!
Basically you have to do your best (and preferably get a sharp-eyed writer friend to give it the once-over) - a handful of mistakes may slip through, but there's a big difference between a few errors in the whole book and multiple errors on every page. The difference between acceptance and rejection? Quite possibly!