Writer's Digest

What a Copy Editor Does—and How to Find a Good One

If you’ve been writing a manuscript of any kind—whether it’s a novel, nonfiction book, article, or screenplay—at some point, you need to start thinking about copy editing. You may have heard of copy editing but only have a vague sense of what it is. This article will arm you with the information you need to not only understand why copy editing is essential but also what to look for and expect when hiring a copy editor.

THE EDITORIAL PROCESS

To understand copy editing, you must be aware of its role within the editorial process. Copy editing is just one cog in the publication machine.

It all starts with a manuscript. It might be a full-length novel, a newspaper article, or a blog post. The manuscript is not complete when the writer comes to

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