Whats the difference between proofreading and copy editing?
It’s not so subtle “What’s the difference between proofreading and copy editing?” a client asked me recently. “It seems like they should be the same thing!” This conversation came about because my client was almost finished with his book and I reminded him my contract called for a separate copy editor since I know I don’t do that well. In many ways, of course, the two terms are similar. A proofreader is, mostly looking for typos that have snuck in the manuscript along the way. Copy editors make you look good A copy editor also looks for typos, but they are looking for more than that. Dictionary.com defines copy editing this way: a person who edits a manuscript, text, etc., for publication, esp. to find and correct errors in style, punctuation, and grammar. A good copy editor is a jewel. They make the author look really good by preserving their style and voice while catching all sorts of errors and awkwardness. A good copy editor will spot flaws in logic, sentences that don’t make sense
