Why Hiring a Copy Editor is a Smart Investment

Though a publisher won’t expect a manuscript to be a finished product when they receive it, authors often underestimate the importance of editing their work properly before they shop it around.

It’s no exaggeration to say that such an oversight can make the difference between acceptance and rejection! So whether you’re hoping to land an agent or intend to self-publish, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional editor before you put your book out into the world.

Editing, however, is not as straightforward as it might seem. There are multiple types of editing, most of which require more expertise than your family and friends have to offer. In this article, we’ll look closer at copy editing specifically, and why you need a professional copy editor to go through your book.

What is copy editing?

Copy editing is a type of editing that focuses on the local level — spelling, grammar, punctuation, and use of language. However, it doesn’t address the bigger issues that might exist in the plot or overall structure of a book, as this would be the purview of a developmental editor who would come earlier in the editing process.

Note that copy editing is also different from proofreading: a copy editor brings clarity, coherence, and consistency to the text, while proofreading is less intensive (checking for small errors like typos) and comes later in the editing process. And while a copy editor might correct obvious factual errors, as a fact-checker does, their focus will primarily be on making the text readable. Click here to learn more about what a copy editor does!

Why hire a professional copy editor?

It’s tempting to think “I can do this part myself” or “I’ll save some money by having my friend double-check it.” But here are a few reasons why — unless your friend is an experienced copy editor — it’s definitely worth considering a professional instead.

1. Copy editors are more objective

Objectivity is more or less impossible to attain, especially when it comes to books; none of us are without our biases and preferences. That said, a copy editor can be much more objective about your work than you or any of your friends could.

This is partially because, as an author, everything you’ve written will make perfect sense to you. Since you have all of the puzzle pieces in your head, you’ll know exactly what shape they’re supposed to take, regardless of whether you’ve fit the pieces together on the page.

Furthermore, you’ll have gone through several rounds of revisions and adjusted things, and the more you’ve looked at your own text, the more blind you’ve become to it. Similarly, while your friend won’t have access to your thoughts, their relationship to you (and likely lack of training) means that they too will struggle to assess the text objectively.

A copy editor won’t have these same inclinations and hang-ups, and can give feedback on your book that will actually make the text better, rather than just making you feel better. Their notes might be a tough pill to swallow at first, but at least you’ll know they’re being honest — and you’ll be glad for it when your book is published.

2. You don’t know what you don’t know

Contrary to popular belief, most authors have a far-from-immaculate understanding of spelling and grammar. Even those who know their languages fluently and express themselves in strong terms may not be as skilled at communicating correctly. And of course, if you’re unaware that you’re using too much passive voice or splitting infinitives left and right, how can you ever fix those mistakes?

No matter how well you think you know subtleties of your language, a professional copy editor will know them better. They’re specifically trained to detect writers’ most common mistakes — mistakes that those writers think they’ve corrected, but haven’t actually, as well as mistakes they’ve never even considered. Indeed, if you’re worried about editorial blind spots, getting a professional copy editor is really the only solution.

3. They will create a customized style sheet

A copy editor will also work with a style sheet to ensure that your language use is consistent and works with the story you’re telling. After all, the English language is dynamic and there are many ways of communicating, so it’s crucial to have this professional style sheet to achieve that clear communication without sacrificing tone or voice — especially if you’ve written a book in a genre or sub-genre with specific linguistic requirements.

A style sheet will basically serve as an editing guide to protect the unique qualities of your writing, such as dialect or colloquial expressions, while aligning your writing with the necessary conventions. This facilitates the communication between the author and the reader and, again, makes sure your writing stays consistent. And consistency is key, right?

The style sheet can include:

► Character names

► Place names

► Unusual spellings

► Regional spellings

Anything else you specify (for example, whether you prefer the Oxford comma or not).

A copy editor will also adjust the style sheet according to form. When editing a novel, for example, they might follow the Chicago Manual Style, whereas they’d use the AP Stylebook for a newspaper column piece. Even these small stylistic adherences establish trust with the reader.

Another benefit of the official style sheet is that it can help you throughout the rest of your editing and proofreading process. It’s a tangible document that you can return to for reference, as well as pass along to anyone else who works with your manuscript. For the more disorganized among us, this will be a godsend.

4. They’ll help enhance your voice

Many authors fear that bringing in a copy editor will weaken the heart and soul of their work. But in reality, a copy editor is often better suited to crystallizing your authorial voice than you are! Again, they’re at an advantage because they’re removed from the voice you’re already so familiar with; when you read back your own work, you’ll always hear it in the voice you intend and will subconsciously gloss over  bits of voice that don’t come through as well.

A copy editor, on the other hand, will experience the text in the same way your future readers will. Without the insight that you have, they will notice when your voice is muddled and needs clarification or strengthening. They’re also trained not to add their own voice and personal preferences to the mix, so don’t worry about them diluting yours — a skilled copy editor will always make sure that the final product represents your voice, no one else’s.

Hiring a professional copy editor can save you both time and money in the long run, and will greatly improve your chances of getting a book deal or self-publishing successfully.

Ultimately, copy editing creates that indispensable bond of trust between you and the reader by ensuring that your writing flows with verve and confidence, and that every last sentence is in tip-top shape.

Desiree Villena is a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects authors with publishing resources and professionals. She’s very passionate about indie publishing and hopes to help as many authors as possible achieve their dreams! In her spare time, Desiree enjoys reading contemporary fiction and writing short stories.

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