{"id":10195,"date":"2015-01-12T19:01:30","date_gmt":"2015-01-12T19:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/editing-writing.com\/?p=10195"},"modified":"2020-08-06T00:00:36","modified_gmt":"2020-08-06T00:00:36","slug":"editing-takes-longer-reading-proofread-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.book-editing.com\/editing-takes-longer-reading-proofread-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Editing Takes Longer Than Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editing a book involves much more than just reading it for typos. That\u2019s because while reading the editor is also analyzing the material and consulting style guides, dictionaries, and myriad printed and Internet resources, all while corresponding with the author, composing queries within the manuscript, and perhaps formatting it or coding it for production.<\/p>\n

Often, an editor reads a book before or after the editing pass, just to see the forest distinctly from the trees. Scope of work differs between copyediting, line editing, and developmental editing, so not all editors do the same things to every manuscript. In general, while reading they are constantly monitoring clarity, consistency, and structure, and responding to places where these elements raise questions. They are also compiling their observations on style sheets to be used by the author, or by proofreaders or production personnel down the line.<\/p>\n

I do a lot of substantive (line) editing for novels, and here\u2019s my checklist:<\/p>\n