It’s effectively the quality control stage of the book manufacturing process. Tragically I’ve known many instances, as a writer, where the editor doesn’t even read the changes made – to the point where they make a mockery of the English language and the author’s intent. As a copy editor I can also tell you one of the prime reasons for bad copy edits is poor briefing and lack of care.

For example, one brief I received from a publisher: “I don’t care what you write just make sure there’s plenty of blue ink on the page.”

Yikes!

RE ‘Not an Editor, BUT says’ post, I think you’re missing the point here. An author might work on a piece of historical fiction for two years, but a copy editor can work on it for two days or two weeks – it is their job to catch mistakes, not introduce more.

I’ve also worked in corporate comms and can tell you, as an author/writer. it’s also a lot easier than working with ineffective copy editors/editors, at least there if you have to waste hours, days or weeks with clients who don’t know what they are doing and you can charge by the hour.

But then you don’t have the creative freedom to write about what interests you.

Do both.

Right on, Laura! If you ever find the store carrying those chairs that think, please let me know. I think they’d look great in my kids’ bedrooms.

CSL

LauraR

One problem for fiction writers, especially in fantasy, historical, and SF, is that “house style”–appropriate for contemporary books–may be inappropriate for specific fiction projects. I had to fight hard to retain the ampersand in a commercial name in one series (the ampersand is part of the logo, as it is in some corporations now.) We may be moving to gender-neutral terminology, but you don’t “staff” the weapons on a ship or spaceship in combat: “manned” is the right term.