Why and How Copy Editors Adjust Their Work Between Genres
No published book that has ever been published has been a first draft. Instead, authors will often go through multiple rounds of edits throughout the publishing process. The author is not the only one to edit the books; seasoned editors review all professionally published books. Having a second (or third or fourth) set of eyes on your book will only make it better). Each round of edits can yield new insights into your manuscript.
There are usually two types of editors who professionally review books before publication. There are general editors who are more responsible for the big-picture ideas of the book. This can include suggesting structural, thematic, or other creative changes. These editors often work closely with the author.
The other type of editor is a copy editor. Copy editors are responsible for reviewing manuscripts for more technical errors. These are typically in the realm of proofreading. Significant typos and other errors can be distracting for readers and take away from their experience. When a copy editor does their job well, no one will see the traces of their work.
When releasing an audiobook, thorough copy editing is crucial. If the text of the book is laden with errors, the voice artist narrating the book will struggle. That can result in delays, subpar vocal work, or confusing audio for the listener.
Even within the copy editing field, there are nuances. Copy editing fiction and non-fiction books carry certain intricacies that must be considered. And further, within the realms of fiction and non-fiction, there are individual genres that require additional considerations.
Copy editors learn about the process of proofreading and editing the more they work. This article briefly discusses the slight variations in style between fiction and non-fiction editing.
The Book’s Tone and Themes
Each book is a unique creation from the author’s mind. A copy editor’s job is to assess the book in front of them and make the appropriate edits. Even though the copy editor does not necessarily change the thematic content of the work, it still matters. Understanding the tone of the piece allows a copy editor to focus their work to the intended audience. In the broadest sense, this can be broken down into fiction and non-fiction categories.
Non-Fiction
Non-fiction books tend to be fact-based, informative, and relatively serious. The information presented in non-fiction literature is designed to be accurate and with purpose. As such, copy editors must take care to ensure the book is being reviewed to maintain the work’s integrity. No suggested changes should be too severe or change the meaning, especially direct quotations. The copy editing here would mostly be limited to surface-level proofreading for clear prose.
However, there are subsets of non-fiction that are more flexible, such as devotionals, comedic memoirs, or cookbooks. The copy editor’s job is still the same: edit for clarity and grammatical errors.
Fiction
When reviewing fiction books, copy editors have a wider domain. While still bound to the parameters of the text, fiction copy editors can make more creative suggestions. This is not in the job title, but a copy editor can provide guidance on more structural concerns. A copy editor should never interfere with the intention of the writing.
There are countless fictional genres with unique tones and audiences. In assessing these works, copy editors should remain aware of the intended audience when editing. Accessibility and reliability are the two greatest concerns when editing a fictional text.
The Book’s Characters
Characters make up the backbone of many books, even non-fiction ones. Many may associate “characters’ with literary creations. However, non-fiction books have characters as well, often real-life people. A character is simply anyone in a book, and copy editors can approach fictional and non-fictional ones slightly differently.
With non-fiction characters, copy editors should respect the real-life person. When writing about real people, authors write with intention and purpose to portray that person accurately. In turn, copy editors must keep that portrayal the same. Even if a copy editor disagrees with how a character is written, it is outside their job to say so. Authors have discretion to write about people with true facts anyway they see fit.
Fictional characters are not bound to the same strict standards as real people. Copy editors should never significantly alter a character’s portrayal, but they can suggest some clarifying edits. This can include making dialogue smoother, easier to understand, or more detailed. The job of a copy editor is to offer suggestions; an author does not have to accept them. The author’s artistic vision always takes top priority.
The Overlap Between Fiction and Non-Fiction
A copy editor always has the same core job: edit and proofread manuscripts. This is true for all genres of books. Even poetry and other lyrical texts need a copy editor to ensure consistency. All genres of books are copy edited for grammar and style to conform with industry standards. Usually, this is using the Chicago Manual of Style.
When you publish with Cloverly Publishing, a team of professional copy editors—not artificial intelligence—will review your manuscript. You will want your book as polished as possible if you decide to release an audiobook as well. Cloverly Audiobook’s team of narrators will deliver the highest quality work when your book is professionally edited and error-free.
