Meet a copy editor who thinks he's a detective.

Someone who looks for clues in every manuscript

#OurEditorSays

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shalom

Name

Shalom Kumar

Designation

Team Lead QA

Years of experience

20 years and 7 months

What does a copy editor do? Description of the role?

A copy editor marks up the manuscript (identifies elements by applying tags for XML parsing), adheres to journal styles and guidelines. They curate the text in terms of grammar, syntax, punctuation, readability and spelling. The copy editor acts as a silent partner in helping the author – communicate his scientific, medical and legal findings to the worldwide audience clearly and effectively. When the author reads the edited manuscript, he/she will be pleased that all the errors in his/her work have been corrected and that the edits preserve most of his/her original expression.

What are the key responsibilities?

Using Pubkit (article tracking setup) before beginning and post editing each manuscript.
Reading and understanding all the relevant documents
[ command to editors, task XML document and instruction sheet ] before beginning editing.
Notifying the PE and the other teams regarding any major mismatch in manuscript.
Filling up the feedback-based checklist.
Raising clear queries to the author.
Stylistic and language editing of each manuscript.
Running the CEG and Framework tools.
Updating job status in Dispatch tracker.

hand with a red marker correcting the text

What can you do to prepare for the role?

A habit of reading books (fiction/self-help books of eminent authors), developing a curious mind, being attentive, having quick grasping and learning ability and a good visual memory would certainly help in preparing for this role.

What are the skills needed?

Skim reading and grammar skills are highly needed to perform well in the role.

What is exciting about the role?

The role is as exciting as crime investigation, wherein a detective starts with not knowing much about the given case to finally knowing all about the case. Each manuscript would make the copy editor doubt his/her ability to solve things, but if he/she patiently works around the manuscript, clues to all problems will appear in time.

What do you love most about your profession?

The editorial profession provides a way for the editor to identify scholars, prestigious scientific bodies and top-notch scientists, doctors and legislators. Arthur Plotnik, a famous writer, once said, Those who cannot climb Mount Everest will find their highest satisfaction in thrashing the barriers to clear expression. Though the editorial task is laborious, time-consuming, and, at times, trying, the satisfaction that comes after seeing a well-edited manuscript never matches any adrenalin-rush activity. Figuring out ways to solve problems in manuscripts is the thing I love most about this role.