Time for Copy Editing
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I've redesigned my office, top to bottom, and that means deciding which books to give away. One I'm keeping, on my fabulous new IKEA shelving, is "Words Into Type," 3rd and most recent edition of 1974.
Despite being 37 years old and without a single mention of the digital world, WIT remains a valuable guide to getting your content into print, or onto your screen, from initial editing through layout to choices of paper ("opacity, finish, weight, grain").
 As I flipped through WIT yesterday, I came across a description of the copy editor's job. Now, you may have decided that copy editors are an expense you can't afford, and you may be right. But the fact is that the work the copy editor does is essential: not only spelling and grammar, but clarity, factual accuracy, flow, consistency of style.
It takes a particular temperament to succeed as a copy editor: someone who loves working with detail, who has terrific patience, who isn't swept away by exciting content but sticks to the need for accuracy, the need to remove errors that distract the reader or give the wrong impression. I myself am more a writer than a copy editor and I value highly people, such as my friend Martha, who are brilliant at this work.
If you don't have a copy editor, you might want to consider identifying someone in your outfit willing to take on that role. Look for patience, a sharp eye, intelligence, and a love of words. And, find some way to reward them. You'll be glad you did!
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| Jane Sherwin is a professional writer specializing in marketing materials for health care and wellness. In addition to in-depth articles, brochures, newsletters and web content, she provides e-mail marketing services. Visit About Worddrive for more information. |
