Copy Editing
Steven G. Krantz · 2000
Traditionally, even as recently as twenty years ago, the copy editor worked with the hard-copy manuscript submitted by the author. He rst made a pass through the manuscript in order to make notes on stylistic issues: formatting of section and chapter heads, use of remarks and examples and other enunciations, numbering of theorems, use of unusual spellings or constructions, syntax, grammar, usage, specialized words or jargon, and so forth. Then the copy editor would go through the manuscript again, correcting each page and bringing it into a con- sistent form that adheres to the usual customs and paradigms of the publishing business. All of the copy editor&s;s marks would be made by hand, usually with red or blue pencil, in the margins of the manuscript. The usual collection of copy editor&s;s marks (see Appendix I and Appen- dix II) would be exploited. The copy editor would also write queries to the author in the margins. Appendix I, Plate 4 shows how this is done. Then the author would be given a chance to respond to the copy editor&s;s ministrations. As an author, you should learn the copy editor&s;s marks (Appendix I). They will facilitate your communications with the copy editor.