Terms

Specialized terms used in copyediting and publishing.

Three types of editing:

• Developmental/content editing — an editing service done by the author, or more commonly another editor, while the copy is still in development. This first round of editing happens after the author has completed a few drafts of their own. The editor then goes in and looks for big picture issues and successes. Content editing often calls for major rewrites.
• Copyediting — the second round of editing done by a different editor than the one who potentially completed the content editing. A more focused look at the writing, copyediting goes line-by-line to check for flow and readability, as well as consistency. If your character picked up a cup, the copyeditor will make sure they set it down before walking out the door. With minor rewrites on a line level, a copyeditor will not comment on content-type issues.
• Proofreading — the third and final round of editing (although a copy can go through several rounds within each type). This is done by possibly a third, separate author to ensure a fresh-eyes look. Proofreading is there to catch word-by-word mistakes, and hopefully filter out every little bug. Most importantly, the proofreader doesn’t know the copy so they can be more attuned to things the author and other editors have missed in their numerous passes.

Other terms used on this site:

• Ghostwriting — a service for short creative writing needs, with no credit to the true author. This includes book blurbs, synopses, resume work, or queries sent to publishing connections. See my services page for pricing. Editors generally don’t write anything more than a word or a few as suggestions in your copy.
• Copywriting — a service for short creative writing needs, with credit to the true author. This would be for mission statements, pulling together points of a concept, or any posts you need written out. See my services page for more information. Again, this would not be the work of your editor.
• Copy — another word for your writing. Merriam-Webster defines it as a “matter to be set especially for printing,” a copy of your manuscript for the publishing house.
• Style guide — a guide created by your editor for the benefit of you both. It will keep track of specific rules the author has employed in their copy. Things that would go into the style guide would be whether the author is trying to use British- or American-English, or other such consistency issues the team needs to keep track of.