What do Editors do?

What do editors do?

At the heart of every successful communication project is an editor. An editor:

manages publishing projects of all sizes
ensures your publication has a logical, easy-to-follow structure
corrects your grammar, spelling and punctuation
makes sure your facts are correct and consistent
helps stylise your language
provides advice on formatting and design.

Editors have expertise in all types of publications, such as:

corporate reports
web sites
non-fiction books
academic theses
multimedia presentations
fiction books
newsletters
magazines
text books
brochures.

Wherever good communication is important, so is an editor. Editors know publishing, so whether you have a government or business project, or something for yourself, an editor can:

plan and structure your publication before your begin writing
give you advice on writing, style and formatting
edit your final draft
proofread your work before publishing or printing.

A managing editor manages your publishing project and will organise a publications team to:

plan, research, write, design and produce your publication
manage the complex network of authors, designers, programmers, artists, photographers, marketers and printers working on your project
look after legal requirements, such as copyright
keep your project within budget, on time and on track.

A substantive editor makes sure that the order of sections, paragraphs and sentences is logical, that your story flows, your message is clear, the illustrations are strong and back-up your message, facts are correct and your language homes in on your readers.

A copyeditor makes sure your writing flows, and more. A copyeditor also checks for missing information, obtains copyright permissions, writes advertising copy, collaborates with artists and designers, fine tunes the style of language, and checks illustrations, spelling and grammar.

A proofreader will look at grammar, spelling and punctuation to make sure everything is all right.