Editor’s Comments

When you decide to work with me, there are a few things I will want you to consider about the copy editing process and my role as a copy editor. These are points you should think about while looking over revisions to your manuscript.

Consider each change carefully.

Make sure you understand exactly what I have done and why. Often, in addition to correcting grammatical errors, I will adjust phrasing or replace words to make the text more readable and interesting. An example of this is with transition words/phrases. If I think that you are using the same one too often to connect sentences, I will suggest changes to add variety. These changes shouldn’t alter meaning. They are meant to make the writing easier to follow and potentially less distracting.

Please consider whether an edit has changed the meaning of your statement.  Sometimes I can’t tell exactly what you might be saying, especially if the text is particularly vague. Because of this, I may presume what you mean and accidentally change what you really do mean. If this occurs, add a comment explaining the concept when you send your manuscript back to me, and I will do my best to keep to what you intend to say. If I am particularly uncertain about something, I will send an email to ask about it before changing anything.

Review my notes.

I always want to make sure you understand why I made a change. I will often share some thoughts about changes I have made or explain a change in detail. If I feel there is a possibility that any edit has changed the meaning of what you meant to say, I will add a comment explaining my thoughts. I want to be up front with you about my work and hope that you will let me know when I have missed the intended meaning of a sentence or paragraph.

Consider me a fresh pair of eyes. I have a strong background in academic social sciences, so I occasionally offer ideas of the critical nature upon reading your manuscript. These suggestions are not to be taken as changes to be made to your text. They are merely my thoughts and require no response from you. If you feel that you need to change something in response to one of my ideas, I would be happy to explain anything further, and we can work together to incorporate it into your manuscript.

Resubmit your work.

You may communicate with me through your own comments. Once I have completed a comprehensive edit, I will send the manuscript back to you for review. If you have questions about any changes or comments, insert your own comments and I will be happy to address any concerns. Reviewing your manuscript after you have accepted or rejected changes also help me understand what you are looking for.

You have the final say.

Only accept changes if your intended meaning remains unaltered. Remember, any rewording is merely a suggestion that you are free to reject if you don’t find it useful in contributing to your case. Ultimately, it is your paper, so you have the final say.