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What are the typical changes and edits a professional editor makes to a manuscript before it's ready for publication?

Editors typically spend around 2-5 hours per 100 pages of manuscript to complete the editing process, depending on the complexity of the manuscript and the level of editing required.

Professional editors usually follow a specific step-by-step process when editing a manuscript, starting from reviewing the manuscript's formatting, layout, and overall structure before moving on to sentence-level editing, fact-checking, and grammar checking.

An editor's primary goal is to enhance the storyteller's message, rather than rewrite the entire manuscript.

Sometimes, an editor may suggest rewrite or reorganization of certain sections to improve the narrative flow, clarity, and coherence of the manuscript.

Editors often use Track Changes in Microsoft Word to edit manuscripts, allowing authors to review and respond to each suggested change individually.

In the event that an editor's suggested change is not to the author's liking, they can accept the change, reject it, or propose a compromise through negotiation.

Editors usually request that authors provide a detailed synopsis or outline of their manuscript, along with any relevant research or reference materials, to help guide the editing process.

The average response time for editors to complete their work is 4-6 weeks, although this may vary depending on the complexity of the manuscript and the editor's workload.

Professional editors typically have expertise in a specific genre or industry, allowing them to provide specialized guidance and insights to authors.

Editors often ask specific questions or request additional information from authors to clarify unclear points, identify gaps in the manuscript, or confirm assumptions.

In cases where an editor recommends significant rewrites or overhauls of the manuscript, authors are entitled to push back and negotiate the scope of the changes.

Editors typically develop a custom plan for each manuscript based on its unique needs and requirements, rather than applying a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.

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