Writers who want their manuscripts to be successful and published need manuscript editing because unedited manuscripts end up being returned with rejection letters.
There are simply too many manuscripts that publishing companies are deluged with every day to waste time on manuscripts filled with spelling and grammatical errors. Such manuscripts are rarely read past the first page before they are returned or relegated to the circular file. This is why copy editing and line editing are an essential step that writers serious about having their work published need to take before submitting their manuscripts to publishing companies.
ã UniqueCritique provides copy editing, and line editing by an experienced editor that gives writers the publishing edge needed in this very competitive writing age.
What do copy editing and line editing mean?
Copy editing and line editing are two different, but equally important, aspects of manuscript editing.
I will give you definitions for copy editing and line editing and then explain how we utilize both copy editing and line editing with your manuscript to get it into publishable form.
What do copy editing and line editing achieve?
Copy editing involves the nuts and bolts of your manuscript. Spelling, punctuation, and the rules of grammar are applied and corrected so that your manuscript’s mechanics are functioning properly.
You could say that copy editing is the frame that houses your manuscript. Simply using a spell checker will not catch many grammar errors that copy editing will spot and fix. Copy editing makes sure that all of your spelling, grammar, and punctuation ducks are all in a row.
Line editing goes further. Through line editing, a manuscript’s story line, character development, word usage, and other important factors are assessed and only changes that will help your manuscript to flow and flesh out your characters or dialogue where necessary are employed.
Most writers worry that their manuscripts will be changed and that its meaning and the intentions that they had for it will be lost in the editing. These concerns are valid and we make certain to assure our clients that any changes made are solely to make certain that the manuscript reflects the writer’s vision.
Effective line editing adds to a manuscript, not detract from its value, or its author.
Line editing also clears up the author of the manuscript’s intentions. For example, a certain sentence written might read this way:
Jack went with Jim to his house to pick up his hat that he’d left the night before.
Without line editing, that last sentence practically sits up and begs for clarification. Did Jack go to his own house or did the house belong to Jim? Did Jack go to the house to pick up his own hat or did it belong to Jim and Jack was returning the cap to its rightful owner? Who left the hat, Jack or Jim? And what was the night before? Christmas? The night before Jack had left town on a business trip? Line editing will clear up the confusion.
Jack picked up his hat at Jim’s house, where he’d left it on the previous evening’s visit.
Copy editing and line editing go hand in glove, or you could say that copy editing is the glove that goes over the line editing hand to make a perfect manuscript fit, with the editor being the master tailor. Copy editing makes sure that your words are spelled, placed, and worded correctly. Line editing makes sure that those words flow well, sound good, and propels your story forward to a satisfying and entertaining conclusion.
In short, who needs manuscript editing?
If you’ve written a manuscript, you do!
You’ll find information about our manuscript formatting guidelines, pricing and work policies, and FAQ questions about manuscript editing here.
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Contact: Lynette Scott Email: LS@uniquecritique.net Mailing Address: |