So what exactly is a copy editor and what do they do?
Merriam Webster's definition of a copy editor:
a person whose job is to prepare a book, newspaper, etc. for printing by making sure the words are correct
Lawrence Downes' definition:
"Their goal is to make sure that the day’s work of a newspaper staff becomes an object of lasting beauty and excellence once it hits the presses."
a person whose job is to prepare a book, newspaper, etc. for printing by making sure the words are correct
Lawrence Downes' definition:
"Their goal is to make sure that the day’s work of a newspaper staff becomes an object of lasting beauty and excellence once it hits the presses."
What does an editor do on a daily basis?
Since a copy editor essentially edits various kinds of manuscripts, they are technically, by extension, a form of Word's Spellcheck. Only, an editor can do so much more than the average word document without using any bit of technology. Although, with all of the advancements in technology, it would only be plausible to believe that copy editors are greatly helped by these new forms of technology. However, after conducting some research, I found that the opposite is actually true. Copy editors are virtually being replaced by computers all around the publishing profession. Many companies believe editors are no longer necessary since new forms of technology have been created--especially when these new technologies are viewed as cheaper than the average copy editor. What these companies are not looking at though, is the value of an editor--a value much greater than that of any piece of technology.
So if copy editors are so important, why are they being replaced by technology, and what is technology's effect on the profession?