Copyediting and Proofreading For Dummies (For Dummies Series)

This is an excellent way to review basics and styles of proofreading and marking copy. After a Career of Publication Graphic Design, mostly before computers, I "retired" from the newly stressed nightmares of last minute "Damage Control" for major Corporate Publications now handled by Secretaries with Top Line Computers and new Publishing Software. I was in the Graphics Dept. and received those Secretaries' older Desktop Computers instead of what I required. My "new -to-me" Desktop Systems were their old units: underpowered, slow and with limited memory and older Art, Drafting and Publishing Software. Since the Manager of my Department was NOT A Graphic Designer, I have never regretted that early retirement decision. This gem of a reference book is helping me now. Now that I'm writing, illustrating and proofing my own stuff before it gets to the publishers, I wanted to make my efforts look good before the Editors receive them. This book helps me a lot. My Editors still know I'm "A Cartoonist" but they treat me and my writing style with a better tolerance because I appear to be making a professional effort. References for further training, the practice proofreading exercises and suggestions for other guidelines throughout this book are extremely helpful, and fun. I do have a better respect for what the Editors do to prepare my future "masterpieces" for that first printing.

Although I am a fan of the "For Dummies" books, some of them have been less than helpful. I can say without a doubt this is one of the most helpful books I have read. The author takes you step by step, slowly immersing you into what to expect and how to do it all. Sections on the difference between copy editors and proofreaders were very helpful Proper grammar, punctuation, and those all important proofreader marks are included. She literally covered it all! Even a helpful (though slightly outdated) section on where to get started on finding a job. Using a dose of humor, some very practical advice the author really digs in and lets you know what to expect. You will have a head full of knowledge and be ready to tackle your first proofing job should you pursue a career in the field. Very impressed and well worth the money.

Just started proofreading and copyediting and while "The Chicago Style Manual - 16th edition" is THE bible for the publishing house i freelance for, this has helped me realize many of the common questions I had: How to break into the business when you are new? How to present yourself to publishing houses (and their addresses are here!) using what for a resume? What are some common mistakes - such as "their, they're or there"? - which BTW if that rankles you when someone gets it wrong, you're in the right business. However, does not specify when to use "than or then".... Love Ms Gilad's style: friendly and unassuming and yet instructive. However, can be too simplistic at times, omitting heavier questions of usage. For that you can always go to the questions at "The Chicago Manual's" website. That's the only reason I gave it a 4 star review vs 5. Helpful by all means, BUT not in depth enough for me. All in all, this is worth purchasing for many good insights and info you wont find elsewhere.

I was put off by this book belonging to the For Dummies line of material. I figured that I would buy it as a starting place and work into more difficult books from there. The reality was this book was great and I highly recommend it. Gilad does a great job being honest about how the publishing world works and where you would fit into it. She doesn't hold back anything either. An example of her honesty was when she flat out says she got paid $1000 bucks to copy edit the Da Vinci Code and how all that worked.

This is by far the most helpful book that I've read when it comes to learning how to edit. Being able to see examples was immensely helpful. There were a few things that threw me off, like EDITING errors (or at least inconsistencies), but I caught on. For example, on page 243 she explains some different basic codes in electronic editing. One of them is [NL] = numbered list. Then on page 250 she uses [UN] for an unnumbered list even though she never mentioned the "[UN]" code anywhere in the list of codes. There were a couple instances of that sort of thing happening. But overall I would absolutely recommend this book if you're thinking of becoming an editor or proofreader or going to school to be one. It's a must-have book on my shelf.

The first thing I did was laugh at the review that gave this book a low score and said she wasn't feeling it. Sorry, I normally wouldn't even read the other reviews for this type of book, but that one gave me my laugh of the day. Whether you want to break into proofreading and copyediting, or whether you just need a quick brush-up, this book isn't bad. There are things it misses going over, but they are things that the normal proofreader won't normally run into. I edit contracts, corporate brochures and correspondence, annual meeting documents, etc., and this book has come in handy numerous times. This is my second copy, because I needed an updated one (plus my first one had fallen apart).

As a professonal copyeditor and proofreader, I received this book as a joke from my family one Christmas, long ago. I was surprised, though, to find it did contain some valuable insight and information not only relating to the science and art of copyeditng and proofreading, but for those professions, as well. I'd actually recommend this - and especially to have in a large office for those folks who might not be as comfortable with their own writing (business letters, correspondence, etc.). This book really is a useful tool both at home for the independent professional, as well as at the office.

Arrived on time. This was a great help. It also explains the shorthand of the editing process. Thank you.

Has what I need to know, covers the basics which I can refer back to while I am learning to proof read and mark text so others understand the needed changes if any. Good starting point.

guida valida non solo per gli USA, ma anche per la nostra editoria

I wasn't expecting a great deal from this book, so I was pleasantly surprised at both its length (364 pages) and its depth. Although this book is a part of the "Dummies" series, it contains information about the publishing world that I have not found in any of my other books on copy editing. It also includes extensive information on copy editing and proofreading, of course, in addition to hints on how to tactfully deal with clients and bosses as well as how to grow one's business and expand one's repertoire. It does NOT contain extensive "editing exercises", but I didn't expect it to (for that, I would recommend "Practical Grammar" by Ruvinsky or "The Great Grammar Challenge" by EEI). All in all, a surprisingly great addition to my library of editing books.

I dowsed to order this book, the first I have read on this topic. While I did not need the useful detail on book publishing, I found what I needed to know to improve my editing for the American Society of Dowsers' quarterly digest. The script was lively and instructive. The layout and design made important points visible and easy to reference. I got my money's worth, and more!