At Katalyst-Nova Techset, we are well aware that writing academic work can be an exhausting and time-consuming process, taking months to years to complete. The last thing you want to do is read it over from top to bottom immediately after finishing the brunt of the work, which is why it is so handy to have the skills of a copy editor to reduce the workload you must deal with. From fixing simple syntax errors to merging the format of your writings following style guides, hiring a copy editor to improve the quality of your publications can take much of that weight off your shoulders.
However, finding an editor to alleviate this anxiety is not as easy as Googling for freelance workers and picking the cheapest option. You need to consider many things when finding the right editor for your academic work, as the wrong choice could saddle you with even more work fixing all the inadequate edits.
To make sure you make the right choice the first time, here are some things we recommend looking out for when looking for a skills of a copy editor for your next academic piece.
Find what YOU want out of your editor
There is quite a bit that goes into the copyediting process, from general grammatical corrections to focusing deeper on the organization of your arguments. Before you even think about paying an editor, it is wise to fully pin down what exactly you want fixed or taken an extra look at.
For some, you might just need to make sure your sentences and paragraphs flow and transition smoothly, while a more research-heavy piece may need a deeper dive into the accuracy of any citations and quotes. There are also many different kinds of editing that could be done for academic publishing, from macro to micro edits, and nailing down which kind is the best for your paper can save both you and your copy editor valuable time.
What are the style and language formats?
Once your paper is completed, the search for a journal or publication to select begins. However, a common mistake many academic writers make is presuming that every publication adheres to a single agreed-upon style. From differing style guides (APA, Chicago, AMA, etc.) to the preference for American or British spellings, there are many things to consider when pitching your work.
Sometimes you might have a particular journal already in your sight, but often you may not have anyone locked down when initially writing, so you have to make appropriate edits on the fly once you do find a publisher. Whether it be in anticipation of a specific journal or want to have a copy in a different style just in case, it is smart to find an editor well experienced in the style and language you are looking for.
Take a look at reputation
Now that you know what you are looking for in skills of a copy editor, the big search begins! The only problem? Pretty much anyone can technically be a copyeditor, which means you will more than likely have to sort through the muck to find the right organization for the job.
First things first, most legitimate editors will have a real track record of books and clients that you can easily find. Just like you would hire someone at your business, a thorough background check through their past assignments is a great way to know exactly what you will be getting beyond buzzwords on a resume or website.
If you are especially cautious, you can also ask your potential editor if they could do a page or two sample edits of your work. On the chance that they accept, you will get the best possible picture of how they could help perfect your work, and if not, it is safe to say that they would not have been the best fit. Most well-known publishers hiring freelancers for their editing work issue similar tests, so it is a reasonable and expected request to ask of anyone who considers themselves a copyeditor.
Keep your expectations in check
Once you end up finding “the one,” it is important to fully understand what happens from here once the copyediting process begins.
First, you will need to accept that the pricing for a good round of editing, especially for an academic piece, will never be inexpensive. You will be hard-pressed to find someone who will agree to any less than $35 per hour, with true professionals charging around $50 or more to accompany the extra detail-oriented nature required. So, if your article is about 30 pages long, you should expect to have to pay around $2,000.
However, you must remember that most academic copy editors have years of experience with their craft and earned doctorates to be where they are today and to charge the rates they do. Think of it as an investment, as you more or less end up paying for exactly what you get, so why not pay more to ensure that your article gets the touch-ups it deserves to impress an academic publication.
Additionally, you must also remember that the editing process can take a significant amount of time. The average copy editor can edit two to five pages an hour, depending on the severity of details that need fixing. Depending on the size of your work, it could take a few days, or sometimes weeks or months, so it is crucial to consider your timetable and the amount of work your copyeditor already has on his plate.
Katalyst-Nova Techset can help you
With the absolute glut of copy editors out in the world, it can be very overwhelming to try and find the absolute perfect fit for your academic article. Katalyst-Nova Techset can easily relieve that stress from you, providing the best care and attention to detail put into your work. With expertise in academic publications, Nova Techset’s copy editors have contributed content for prestigious groups like the American Institute of Physics, Cambridge University Press, and The Institute of Engineering and Technology so our copyediting team definitely knows what kind of editing your work will need.
To know more about how we can help you with your copyediting needs, contact our copyeditors today!
