Here are some useful terms regularly used within the publishing industry.

Book Editor

A book editor is sometimes referred to as a copy editor. A book editor prepares manuscripts for publication and may:

Caret Mark

Proofreader's mark to insert copy at marked point.

Close Up

Proofreader's mark to delete space between elements, where marked.

Copy Editor

A copy editor checks a manuscript for grammar, style and consistency and is sometimes referred to as a Book Editor.

Copy Holder

Person who holds the original while the proofreader holds the typeset copy.

Copyediting

Editing for grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and for internal consistency of facts; inserting head levels and approximate placement of art; editing tables, figures and lists; notifying the Designer of any unusual production requirements.

Copyediting does not include the following unless specified: metrication; providing or editing art manuscripts; providing or changing system of citations; editing index; writing or editing captions or credit lines; writing running heads; obtaining or listing permissions needed; providing front matter (prelims), cover copy or CIP data; editing preface or forward,; negotiating changes with the Author or seeking approval from the client's representatives.

Desktop Publishing

Creating a formatted document from an electronic manuscript according to a Designer's instructions or a style template. Includes sizing and placement of art and setting front and back matter. Does not include the following unless specified: establishing design; creating cover art; and/or formatting of index.

Developmental/Project Editing

Co-ordinating and editing a project from proposal or rough manuscript to final manuscript, incorporating input from authors, consultants or reviewers. Does not include the following unless specified: budgeting; hiring; design supervision; and/or production co-ordination.

Editor

Editors read and correct written material for publication, and liaise with authors and others. Depending on the position they hold, they may also decide on editorial policy and the content of publications, manage the production of publications, and oversee an editorial team. Editors may:

Fact Checking/Citation Checking/Reference Checking

Checking accuracy of facts and quotes by reference to original sources used by the Author or to other reference sources.

Indexing

Producing a key to the contents of a work. Includes reading and analysing the work; choosing subjects, concepts and other elements that together form a systematic guide to the information contained in the work; arranging these elements into entries consisting of headings and subheadings and their locators (e.g. page numbers); and arranging the entries alphabetically or in some other searchable order.

Manuscript

Original written or typewritten work of an author.

Mark Up/Electronic Coding/Tagging

Prepare copy for compositor with detailed instructions. Inserting codes to manuscripts, either on hard copy or electronically, to indicate design elements. Does not include the following unless specified: creating design in the electronic file; and/or creating art.

Permissions

Locating source information and obtaining permission releases for copyrighted material. Does not include the following unless specified: reading manuscript and composing list of permissions needed; setting and maintaining budgets; and/or negotiating usage fees.

Picture Research

Locating suitable photos or artwork. Does not include the following unless specified: reading manuscript and composing picture list; setting and maintaining budgets; searching for artists' references; obtaining pictures and permission releases; arranging for and supervising set-up shots; editing and choosing pictures; writing captions, labels or source lines; organising pictures for scanning; returning pictures; negotiating usage fees; and/or sending final usage letters.

Press Check

Final check when job is already on the press. Examining first printed sheets.

Production Co-Ordination

Co-ordinating and supervising design, formatting and proofreading stages, and ensuring integration of design and content. Does not include the following unless specified: preparing printer's specs or obtaining quotes; formatting; proofing; inputting changes; and/or checking vandykes/blues or other types of proofs and film.

Proof

A copy of a work in progress, usually for checking and correcting.

Proofreader

A proofreader checks desktop-published proofs and/or computer printouts to detect errors before final printing of a book, magazine, newspaper or other printed products. A proofreader may:

Proofreading does not include the following unless specified: incorporating or exercising discretion on author's alterations; copyfitting; checking accuracy of running heads and folios; checking page breaks; inserting or checking page numbers to contents and page references; marking colour breaks; and/or flagging or checking location of art.

Proofreading Stet

Proofreader's mark, cancelling a previous correction. "Let it stand" (Latin).

Rewriting

Creating a new manuscript or parts of a manuscript on the basis of content and research supplied by the Author. Does not include the following unless specified: research and/or writing original material.

Stylistic Editing

Clarifying meaning, eliminating jargon, polishing language, and other non-mechanical line-by-line editing. Does not include the following unless specified: checking or correcting reading level; creating or recasting tables or figures; and/or negotiating changes with the Author.

Substantive/Structural Editing

Clarifying or reorganising a manuscript for content and structure. Does not include the following unless specified: research; writing original material; and/or negotiating changes with the Author.

Typo

Typographical error. An error introduced in the typesetting process.

WF (or w.f.)

Wrong font. Proofreader's mark to indicate a type from the wrong typecase.