What’s the difference between editing and proofreading, and why’s it so important?
One of the common questions that new authors ask is, ‘What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?’ It’s essential to understand if you’re purchasing editing services, what you’re paying for, and what you should expect.
While proofreading and editing are essential steps in the writing process and share some similarities, they’re two very distinct processes.
While some editors may include proofreading together with a copyedit or developmental edit, not all editors do, and it’s essential you know what you’re paying for when you purchase editing services.
In the following article, we will take a closer look at the differences between editing and proofing. If you think your manuscript is ready for editing, but you’re unsure, then a manuscript evaluation or appraisal could be just what you need. Not sure what a manuscript evaluation is? Check out our article on What Is A Manuscript Evaluation.
If you’d like to speak to us or learn more about the professional and affordable editorial services we offer at Author Services Australia, don’t hesitate to contact us.
What Is Proofreading?
Believe it or not, proofreading is actually the final step in the editing process, not the first. Proofreading is a final spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax check. If your book has been edited and formatted, ready to publish, a final proofread should be the last step before you hit that publish button.
After you’ve spent countless hours reading, rewriting, and editing your manuscript, it’s easy to miss mistakes. After all, no one is perfect. Even your editor or proofreader may miss one or two mistakes or typos in a 100,000-word manuscript.
What Is Editing?
There are two main types of editing that an author will seek out. These are known as copyediting and developmental editing.
Oxford Dictionary defines editing as ‘prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it.‘
Once you’re happy with your theme, plot, storyline, and character development, you will move on to copyediting.
Developmental editing, on the other hand, is more in-depth. You typically work with your editor to work on your story’s main structure, and developmental editing often involves a lot of rewriting and restructuring.
The Difference Between Editing and Proofreading – Conclusion
While editing and proofreading are essential steps in self-publishing, they are different and serve different purposes. Proofreading is and should be the final step in the editing process before you publish.
If you would like to speak to us or learn more about the professional and affordable editorial services we offer at Author Services Australia, including proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Remember, no one’s perfect, not even your editor, so don’t be too harsh if they miss an error, especially when working on significant manuscripts or projects.
