I hadn’t read the Wikipedia article on copyediting before today. It deals rather heavily with nonfiction, which requires a very different touch than fiction, but the description noted under the heading “Traits, Skills and Training” is accurate for any good copyeditor, I think:
Besides an excellent command of the language, copy editors need a broad general knowledge in order to spot factual errors; good critical-thinking skills so that they recognize inconsistencies; diplomatic skills to help them deal with writers; and a thick skin when diplomacy fails. They also need to be able to set priorities so they can balance striving for perfection with working deadlines.
I read that and thought, Yes! Copyediting is so much more than most people realize. The thing I enjoy most about this blog (besides all the wonderful people who interact with me here) is the opportunity to help explain the job.
8 Responses to “Wiki Copyediting Article”
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I'm a freelance copyeditor specializing in fantasy and science fiction. SF/F novels I have copyedited have been finalists for (and have sometimes won) the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke, Endeavour, Golden Spur, John W. Campbell Memorial, Quill, Locus, Philip K. Dick, British Science Fiction, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy awards. In 2007 I became the first and only copyeditor ever short-listed for a World Fantasy Award.
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That is good. I think the two things that serve me the best in copyediting are 8 years of Catholic grade school English classes taught by (mostly Irish) nuns, my brain-storehouse of otherwise useless trivia, and my …
Three. The three things that serve me best… The third is the (pretend) tattoos across my knuckles: It’s Not My Book.
SO true!! I have long said that copyediting books is one of the very best uses of a liberal arts education I can think of. I use my schoolin’ every day!
Plus, a brain for a wide variety of what you previously thought was useless trivia… comes into play a lot in copyediting.
P.S. I do nonfiction, and I don’t dare touch fiction, because YES it does require a very different touch.
I am SO getting a pretend tattoo “It’s Not My Book”!! Genius!
I think most people think of line editing when they think of copyediting. I’m certainly glad you’ve disabused me of that notion.
I’m pretty good for checking facts, as my head is crammed full of useless trivia…most of it things normal people (even sane writers) wouldn’t want to know. As for the proofreading and diplomacy…I’m not your guy.
Yeah. For fiction, there is an additional crucial trait that a surprising number of copyeditors are missing: the ability to discern a style (or voice) and to edit within that style; or, to put it another way, the ability to empathize with the author.
When I want to summarize what I do in one sentence, I tell people that my job is to help the book become the best version of the book that the author desires.
Yeah, that’s very true. I’ve seen the lack of that ability cause huge issues. You should consider editing the Wiki article to add that in. :-)
I’ve always found your articles useful. I also hang out on the copyediting list, which has given me a good idea of what things copyeditors obsess about. It needs a lot of familiarity with language and I’m in awe of anyone who can do the job well.
I couldn’t agree more…
Another thing is a certain sort of prodigious memory, so that we can recall the entire text we’ve read so far, and note plot inconsistencies, or inconsistent statements in nonfiction.