To resolve this issue Authors should make sure to let proofreaders
I once attended an event at which I saw someone working for an online newspaper. I asked him “Are you the editor or do you write a column?” He said, “No, I’m just the proofreader.” This amused me since he suggested that his opinion wasn’t that positive of his job at the newspaper. In my view the proofreader is one of the most crucial individuals in the making of any piece of writing, whether it’s a book, newspaper or marketing document.
It could even be you, who delights in pointing out mistakes and letting everyone know about it. They’re not scared to leave a message on your blog or Facebook page to mention the word you missed spelling. Even those who aren’t rude are often thinking that they aren’t as impressed with a book or publication when they notice the number of mistakes. The errors in a book shout out that the publication is not of a high standard. With the rise of self-published book to the market, I’m more cautious than ever before in taking a look at a few paragraphs and examining for typos before I decide whether or not to invest money on an ebook.
An editor is an essential component of the book’s creation. The traditional publishing house assigns an editor to the book, however, it may also include proofreaders. Most often at least three or four persons are assigned to edit and proofread the manuscript prior to publication. Self-published authors who have done their homework usually realize that they require an editor, however, they may not know that they also require proofreaders.
An editor may also take on the proofreading, however I would advise any writer to keep in mind that editors are not alike. Editors have different qualifications and abilities. They may be skilled at editing content to help improve your story and characters however, he may not find a typo such as “lightening” when you meant “lightning” or even be proficient at spelling. An editor may be proficient at punctuating sentences correctly but does not have the imagination to be able to create an idea for a story or create the argument flow. Even the most skilled editor will eventually be so enthralled with the work, as the author and the author, that following the first or second time over the text, he will tend to read using his memory, thinking he can see the contents of the book instead of using the eyes, which could actually be able to read what’s in the book.
The editors I have met who write quality work are shocked when errors appear in books they’ve edited and they’re also willing to admit that they are not perfect. They may misspell words or one that has been misused in particular context. A good editor won’t be insecure, but rather delighted when an author has an expert proofreader to check the work.
There are many issues that can arise in the course of working with proofreaders which is why authors should be honest with the proofreader on what they’d like to achieve. A lot of times, I’ve seen editor complaints about proofreaders since they come back to authors that the proofreader discovered various errors within the text; the editor is then able to discover that the proofreader, rather than doing a proofread, chose to play editor and revise the text without correcting any typos, but altering the words in accordance with his personal style preferences. The writer is, on the other hand, lacking an excellent editing skill, may not be aware of the distinction between rewriting a grammarally incorrect sentence or an aesthetic change. This could lead to the author believe that the editor is incompetent since the proofreader went too far.
To resolve this issue Authors should make sure to let proofreaders know that they only need the proofreader looking for any grammatical or spelling errors or typos. There is nothing stylistic that should be altered. Additionally, authors must communicate to both proofreaders as well as the editor. Editors should also be given the right to review the suggestions for changes or corrections that the proofreader recommends and decide whether or not to accept them or even explain why they shouldn’t be accepted. The editor must be allowed to take the second time to ensure that they are aware of the places the mistake was made and also to make sure that the proofreader hasn’t adding new errors to the text. I don’t know how many times an author who hires an experienced editor is left with errors in the book due to the proofreader wasn’t competent. Keep in mind that the fact that an individual is educated or holds an English degree doesn’t suggest that they will be a competent proofreader in the same way that a skilled mechanic will always be the best person to design a car.
If you are hiring an editor, make sure you let him know in advance that you are planning to employ another proofreader as well. If he gets a bit argumentative about this, you may prefer another editor. If both of you are both in agreement that using it is an excellent idea and you want to request the editor to recommend an editor who is a proofreader. Perhaps he has had a relationship with a proofreader previously and they have been successful. If not, request suggestions from authors you’ve worked with. While you may use the internet to find a proofreader it is always best to ask for suggestions from your friends and family. Before you choose an approved proofreader, take a examine the book which he has proofread. In the event that Mary Jane tells you that Henry read her book and did a fantastic job but you spot a typo at the beginning of the page consider rethinking the decision. If you continue to read the same 10 pages and do not find an error, Henry might still be an ideal choice. However, no person can catch every single mistake. Be discerning and do some investigation prior to hiring proofreaders.
Also, as you’d request your editor to send you the edit samples of few pages to assess whether you’re able to work with him, ask your proofreader for an example of proofreading to discover what kind of mistakes or problems he can spot. If he revises your work reconsider or consider that he’s uncovering problems that your editor ought to have noticed. It is important to make sure that you understand the cost prior to hiring someone.