Copyediting vs. Proofreading: A Guide for Indian Writers

So you have completed the writing of your book. It could be a sweeping romance set in Delhi, a business guide for Indian entrepreneurs, or a memoir about growing up in Kerala. The list is endless. As for the result, one thing stands certain: entering the publishing phase of the book certainly requires the help of a professional editor.

But now the question is:

Which type of editing does your manuscript need?

Some writers confuse important distinctions between copyediting and proofreading, which are both necessary but serve very different functions. The clearer you are in understanding the distinction, the less likely you are to face useless delays, avoidance of expenses, and most significant: public embarrassment after publication. 

Let's break this down. 

What's Copyediting?

Copyediting corrects language, structure, clarity, and consistency of your manuscript. It is performed after completing the main writing and before the ultimate proofread. 

The duties carried out by a copyeditor are the following:

• Correcting grammatical errors and punctuation, and spelling

• Making sentence flow and readability improvements

• Standardizing terms (British English Vs American English) 

• Coordinating on tone, tense, and character name consistency

• Factual inconsistencies or vague wording will also be flagged.

  
  

For instance, in your book, if there are inconsistencies in spellings, such as Bangalore and Bengaluru, a copyeditor will just point that out. If your non-fiction book starts formally and suddenly gets very chatty, your copy editor might step in to help with toning it down a bit. 

So, copyediting is where your manuscript really gets its first shine.

Why it is Especially Needed for Indian Writers:

The multilingual nature of India often creeps into writing in beautiful and sometimes confusing ways. A copyeditor who is well-versed in Indian English will help preserve your cultural flavor without a loss of clarity.

They will catch:

• Misuse of idioms (e.g., "passing out of college" vs. "graduating")

• Indianisms that may confuse global readers

• Inconsistent transliteration (chai/chaay)

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the last stage of editing, not the rewriting, but where one catches the last-minute errors before the book is published.

For example, a proofreader will:

Correct typographical and minor punctuation errors

Spot formatting issues (extra spaces, broken lines, missing page numbers)

Correct inconsistent styling (book titles being italicized, etc.)

Ensure that the document is as per the selected style guide (APA, Chicago, or your custom format) 

Think of proofreading as the final checkpoint before takeoff. It's what saves you from discovering after launch that your acknowledgements spell your editor's name wrong. Ouch. 

Copyediting vs. Proofreading: Know the Order 

Most writers in India have queries such as: Can one person do both? Yes, there are some specialists who provide both services. However, the following is the correct order: 

Copyediting - editing cleans your language and structure. 

Proofreading - last correction of surface errors after layout and formatting.

Proofreading in place of copyediting is like putting lipstick on a dirty face. Hopefully, from a distance, it looks all right, but closer to the action, things get quite horrible.

Invest in both:

Copyediting: Which gives a shine to your content and ensures sense.

Proofreading: To capture those last-minute glitches before you hit "Publish."

If biryani is tasted for salt before serving, why not do the same for your book, with copyediting and proofreading? 

Final Thought: Respect the Process

Editing is about more than just correcting errors. It is about respecting readers. A well-edited and clean book draws the reader in and keeps them looking on. Your credibility as a writer is ensured by professional editing, whether it be in Hinglish or pure English or a combination of any regional language.

Need an editor who understands Indian writers?

Rolling Author connects you with professional copy editors and proofreaders who are experts in Indian English and international publishing standards. We polish your book while maintaining your unique voice. 

Start your editing journey with us today.