A Copy-Editor's Guide to Working with Authors
Assuming the role of a copy-editor puts one in an interesting position in relation to the publisher, the author and the typescript on which you are working. You are in the centre of a triangle between the publisher, who pays you, the author, whose work you will be editing, and the reader, to whom you are ultimately responsible. Your task is to ensure that the author’s work is as clear, readable and consistent as possible, without upsetting the author and changing their voice, making sure that the reader gets as much out of the text as the author originally intended, while working to the time scale and budget set by the publisher.
This e-learning module will outline the lifespan of a project and the ways in which your relationship with an author will develop and change. It will describe the various characteristics of authors that you will work with, and it will tell you the types of potential problem that you will encounter and provide strategies for resolving problems and developing fruitful, lasting relationships.
Course content
- Introduction
- The lifespan of a project
- Author characteristics, and strategies for approach
- Problems that arise and finding a solution
- Conducting an effective working relationship
e-learning modules are optimised for desktop and laptop devices and not tablets and smartphones.
Learning outcomes
- To understand the timeline of a project and how the relationship with an author will develop and change during that time
- To learn about different author characteristics and their various motivations
- To find out how to solve problems that arise during a project without sacrificing an author’s confidence in your abilities
- To develop strategies for achieving fruitful working relationships with all authors
How does the course work?
A Copy-Editor's Guide to Working with Authors has five study sections along with a final quiz to test your knowledge. Completion of all sections of the course will lead to a certificate of completion being issued.
About the author
Nik Prowse
Nik worked in scientific research for a while, doing a PhD in Evolutionary Genetics, before moving sideways into science publishing. He got his first publishing job at Portland Press, a publisher of academic journals and books, where he learned his editorial craft, augmented not inconsiderably by courses on proofreading and copy-editing at The Publishing Training Centre. Nik went freelance in 2004, offering editorial services to academic publishers. His business has grown, and he now does copy-editing, proofreading and project management of academic, educational and professional books in a number of fields, including life sciences and the humanities, in addition to tutoring on Essential Proofreading (formerly Basic Proofreading by Distance Learning). He says one of the most interesting parts of his job is building relationships with authors of the books he copy-edits and project manages, and getting to know an increasing number of freelancers in the same fields.
He is married with two school-age children, and likes to cycle long distances in search of cake.
This e-learning module was developed with the support of the Unwin Charitable Trust.
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Five to seven hours with eight months access to the module.
PTC e-learning modules are concentrated, online courses that focus on specialist topics relevant to publishing working life. They are designed to build on a foundation of existing skills and experience.