Copy Editing vs Proofreading:
What's the Difference?
If you are unsure of the differences among copy editors and proofreaders, fret not — you're not alone. Many people, even within the writing industry, are unclear about what sets the two apart.
Copy editing entails intense review and critique of the manuscript in order to prepare it for typesetting. It addition to marking grammatical and spelling mistakes, querying inconsistencies and awkward phrasing, fact checking, keymarking the manuscript for design, and providing a critique of the overall flow and feel of a document, the copy editor strives to finesse the writer's prose so that it observes all the conventions of good writing. The copy editor may also suggest some reorganizing of paragraphs or chapters, recommend changes to chapter titles and subheadings, and call out inconsistencies in logic. If the project is a book manuscript, an extensive report, or other document of significant length, the copy editor will compile a style sheet — a statement of overall editorial policy — to ensure consistency is kept throughout.
Proofreading is performed at the page-proof stage and serves to check a reproduction of what the finished product will look like. The task is not revision, as in the copy-edit stage, but rather correction — making sure that no typographical errors remain from the manuscript or were introduced in the production stage. Proofreaders review font type and size, spelling and grammer, make sure that all editorial changes have been input, and secure that all elements have been set according to design specifications. At the proofreading stage, you're really looking only for errors like typos, misspellings, and, to some degree, misuse of words. The basic content is not subject to extreme modification or editorial suggestion as in the copy edit stage.
If you are still unsure about the specific needs for your project, I will be happy to review a sample and provide you with a free analysis and estimate. Submit your project and note that you would like both an analysis and estimate.