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SPOTLIGHTS ON SERVICE: EXPLANATIONS OF WHAT WE DO Production and Project Management |
Developmental
Editing Not every writer can edit well, and certainly not every editor can write well. After all, writing is essentially a creative endeavor, and editing a critical one. If you find these seemingly opposing skills together in one person, however, then you have discovered a developmental editor: someone who not only genuinely appreciates details but also has special sensitivity to message and expression. When
an author has some truly great ideas — but could state them
more eloquently, has glossed over some fine points of grammar and
logic, needs help with organization, etc. — developmental editors
can be just what the doctor ordered. In fact, they’re also
known as book doctors, perhaps as a nod to their healing powers.
After all, the author simply hands over the ailing work and voilà!,
within a few weeks or months receives all manner of assistance:
suggestions for reorganization; messy passages reworked into clear
hypotheses with supporting narrative and data; an awkward phrase
transformed into an on-the-mark, clear statement of fact. Editors
may sometimes argue that they’re book surgeons, given the delicate
nature of the cuts and repair work they do. Their greatest concern
is the well-being of the manuscript and preservation of the author’s
original intent. And when the job’s done right, there are no
scars — no evidence to the reader of the editor’s touch. What
is a writer? What
is an editor?
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Production
and Project Management An
adept project manager (PM) applies practicality and resourcefulness
to the tasks at hand. Ideally involved in a project from its inception,
the PM designs a production schedule to serve as the backbone of
the entire operation. In many cases, the central concern is how
to do a tremendous number of things in an extremely limited amount
of time. Allowances are made for the unforeseen, and backup plans
are devised to avoid any forced shift from project management to
crisis control. If
the best-laid plans should go awry, however, a PM can be especially
useful. This is because the PM will focus on all the options available
in a situation that seemingly offers no choices. He or she will
ask, "What is the most feasible solution given the time, money,
and expectations involved?"
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Copyediting
vs. Proofreading — Copyediting
and proofreading appear to mesh seamlessly during the publication
process, yet their functions are separate and distinct. Understanding
the two services will benefit your manuscript when it is ready for
final polishing. First
a copyeditor reviews your manuscript line by line, marking changes
within the text to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage.
A style sheet is created to standardize the manuscript’s form
and save the reader from distracting inconsistencies. Wordiness,
clichés, and jargon are eliminated. Suggestions are made
in the form of author queries to refine passages that seem unclear
or illogical. A
skilled copyeditor will not only consider the audience in an effort
to enhance the manuscript’s readability, but will also respect
the author’s voice and maintain the nuances of his or her words. Additional
copyediting responsibilities include checking the accuracy of footnotes,
artwork, bibliographies, and references; securing permissions; and
specifying type for the publisher. Once
the manuscript is typeset by a designer, proofreading begins. A
proofreader compares page proofs character by character with edited
copy to ensure that the typesetter has correctly implemented the
editor’s changes. Using a marking system recognized by designers
and keyboarders, the proofreader flags typographical discrepancies
in the "live" copy’s margins but does not make any
additional changes to the manuscript. The proofreader’s meticulous
attention to detail saves the author and editor from embarrassing
oversights. With the advent of electronic publishing, these two roles sometimes blur, yet the contributions of each remain vital to every quality publication.
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Publication
Consultation "Would
anyone publish an article like this?" "What do I need
to do to secure an agent?" "How does self-publishing differ
from the agent-publisher route?" "Is it my responsibility
to get the book reviewed or endorsed?" "How long does
it usually take for a magazine to respond to a query package?" These
are just some of the initial questions asked in the course of a
publication consultation. Even the most experienced authors benefit
from a refresher course in the elements of publishing, especially
if they want to remain current on the latest issues in the industry. Every
day, new twists and turns develop in the world of magazines and
books. The question is whether an author who is expert in one field
is willing to do the research necessary to become expert in publishing
as well. Is there the time, much less the inclination, to read trade
journals and the volumes of admittedly contradictory literature
produced by the Library of Congress, its agents, and other publishers
who produce books about publishing? No doubt the wiser alternative is to consult those whose business it is to stay abreast of the latest information, and who have daily experience in avoiding the pitfalls while maximizing the opportunities of publishing.
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