Module I Editing 101

Themes of Professional Editing
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Role(s) of the Editor	Balancing Clarity & Fidelity	Communication & Diplomacy
- Copy, structural, stylistic, developmental editing - Proofreading; indexing - Mapping structure & outlining key points	- Standalone sentences & readability - Maintaining author’s voice - Clarifying gaps in logic, argument, or evidence - Adjusting for fiction vs. non-fiction, genre conventions	- Collaborating with authors, publishers, contributors - Understand copyright, plagiarism, libel, privacy, and inclusive language - Explaining editorial decisions clearly and tactfully
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Project Management & Coordination	Professional Judgment & Ethics	Perfection vs Practicality
- Coordinating multiple contributors and processes - Meeting deadlines - Integrating revisions efficiently - Outlining and tracking structure	- Gatekeeping & curatorial responsibilities - Balancing commercial, creative, and ethical considerations - Maintaining integrity of content	- "Finished" work > "Perfect" - Accept constraints of time, purpose, and scope - Prioritize clarity and readability over perfection
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Learning, Self-Reflection & Awareness	Mentorship & Affiliations	Structural & Genre Awareness
- Continuous professional development - Practicing editing skills - Reflecting on personal growth, communication, and attention to detail - Awareness of publishing contexts (journals, magazines, trade, government)	- Editors Canada membership, mentoring - Professional networks - Conferences, workshops, and seminars	- Mapping manuscript structure & evidence - Outlining major points and plot (for fiction) - Understanding genre conventions (commercial, literary, YA, thriller, etc.) - Identifying gaps, inconsistencies, or weak links

Summary

• An editor’s responsibility is to achieve clarity and coherence in written documents; editors balance the interests of authors, publishers, and readers.
• Strong editors have a love of language, are detail-oriented and organized, have good judgment, have excellent communication skills, are logical, flexible, and able to focus.
• The four main types of editing are: 1) structural editing, 2) stylistic editing, 3) copy editing, and 4) proofreading. Each type of editing involves specific responsibilities and each involves a set of skills and requirements.
• Editors work with numerous other professionals as part of a publishing team; editors are involved at various stages in the publishing process.
• Editors work in numerous environments, including publishing companies, businesses, professional societies and associations, governments, non-profit organizations, universities and colleges, and online.
• Editor compensation varies widely, depending on factors like location, skill, experience, specialty, and genre.
• Editors use certain resources and tools to do their work.

What is an Editor?

• Editors work to improve text so that ideas are communicated clearly, accurately, and effectively, and so that the final publication meets its purpose and serves its intended audience.
• Editors play an essential role in the publishing process, whether they are working on a 500-page book, a website, or a two-page brochure. When writing lacks clarity or coherence, readers may become confused and the central message may be lost, undermining the goals of the work.
• An editor’s core responsibility is to enhance clarity, consistency, and usability while preserving the author’s meaning and voice. Although this goal may seem straightforward, achieving it often requires careful judgment, subject knowledge, and professional skill.
• There is an adage in business: "...When does the customer want [the product]? Now. How do they want it? Perfect. What do they want it to cost? Free" which obviously is a real challenge but you try to get as close to that as possible. Editing can bring similar demands by the sounds of it!

Where do Editors Work?

• Editors work in a wide variety of settings and at different stages of the publishing process. Regardless of context, editors must act ethically and professionally while balancing the needs and expectations of three key stakeholders:

• The Author: the editor collaborates with the author to improve clarity, organization, and accuracy, offering constructive feedback and recommendations. Throughout the process, the editor respects the author’s voice, intent, and intellectual property.
• The Publisher: the publisher—whether an organization or a self-publishing author—is responsible for producing and distributing the work. As an intermediary between author and publisher, the editor considers the publisher’s goals, audience, standards, timelines, and budget, while maintaining editorial integrity.
• The Reader: editing ultimately serves the reader. Editors improve text so that readers can understand it more easily, engage with it more fully, and use it effectively. Clear, coherent, and accessible writing ensures that the publication fulfills its purpose.

Skills and Traits of a Good Editor

• Strong editors share a deep love of language and an ability to sense how writing works—or fails—on readers. They are willing to reread material multiple times and can diagnose problems in clarity, tone, or credibility while working collaboratively with authors to improve the text.
• They demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills, enabling them to assess both overall structure and fine points such as word choice and punctuation. Equally important is good editorial judgment: effective editors know not only how to correct errors, but also when to leave text unchanged, balancing grammatical rules with readability and consistency.
• Strong editors are also excellent communicators, offering clear, diplomatic feedback that supports authors and facilitates collaboration across the publishing team. A logical, analytical mindset helps them recognize patterns, identify gaps in reasoning, and suggest effective solutions.
• Finally, editors must be flexible, highly focused, and adaptable, managing competing timelines while maintaining sustained concentration through multiple readings. Many also bring additional skills—such as subject expertise, technical knowledge, writing, design, or indexing—that enhance their editorial practice

Definitions of Editorial Skills

• Editing involves reviewing material before publication and making or recommending changes to improve clarity, accuracy, coherence, and suitability for the intended audience, while preserving the author’s meaning. Editors must communicate clearly and tactfully, mark changes consistently, and work ethically, with awareness of legal issues such as copyright, plagiarism, libel, privacy, and inclusive language.

Editors Canada identifies four core editorial skills:

• Structural editing focuses on organization and content, including reshaping material, revising structure, clarifying themes, and adapting text for different formats or media.
• Stylistic editing improves clarity, flow, tone, and voice by refining language, sentence structure, and readability for the intended audience.
• Copy editing ensures correctness, accuracy, consistency, and completeness, addressing grammar, spelling, facts, style, references, formatting elements, and permissions.
• Proofreading is the final review after layout, correcting remaining errors and checking consistency, design adherence, and accuracy of references and visual elements.

In addition to these core skills, editors may perform a wide range of specialized or supplementary roles, including acquisitions editing, manuscript evaluation, comparative editing, fact checking, formatting, indexing, production and project editing, rewriting, visual research, electronic tagging, and web editing. These roles require subject knowledge, technical expertise, and collaboration across publishing and digital environments.

Overall, editorial work spans the entire publishing process, combining linguistic skill, judgment, ethical responsibility, and project coordination to produce clear, accurate, and effective publications.

Editors and the Publishing Team

• Publishing is a collaborative process, and an editor’s role varies depending on the size and structure of the organization. In small teams, editors may take on multiple responsibilities, while in medium-sized to large publishing companies, tasks are divided among specialists with clearly defined roles.
• Editors commonly work alongside acquisitions editors, who commission or acquire manuscripts aligned with the publisher’s mandate and audience. They also collaborate with production managers or coordinators (sometimes called managing editors), who oversee the entire publication process from editorial coordination through printing.
• Designers are responsible for the visual layout and final appearance of a publication, working under the direction of senior editorial or production staff. Editors also interact with marketing teams, ensuring that the publication’s purpose, audience, and key concepts are clearly communicated to support effective promotion.
• In larger organizations, editors may also work with picture researchers who source images and artwork, fact checkers who verify accuracy in journalistic or magazine content, and indexers who create indexes after the final layout is complete. Together, these roles illustrate that successful publishing depends on coordinated teamwork across editorial, production, design, and marketing functions.

Book publishing includes several distinct sectors

• Trade publishers produce fiction and non-fiction for general audiences, aiming for commercial success through sales and subsidiary rights.
• Children’s publishers focus on young readers, with parents, teachers, and librarians as key markets.
• Educational publishers create textbooks and reference works designed for long-term use and large curricula-based markets.
• Academic and scholarly presses serve specialized audiences, often require peer review, and rely on editors with subject expertise.
• Professional and technical publishers produce regularly updated works in fields such as law, medicine, and engineering.
• Regional and specialist publishers focus on particular topics or communities and benefit from editors with subject knowledge and audience awareness.
• Literary publishers support literary culture by publishing novels, poetry, plays, creative non-fiction, and translations.

Periodical publishers & government publications

Periodical publishers produce magazines, academic journals, and specialist publications on a regular schedule. Editors ensure clarity, tone, and language fit both individual pieces and overall style of the periodical. Deadlines are often shorter than in book publishing, requiring careful scheduling and advance planning. Journal editors often specialize in their field, with copy editors maintaining accuracy without altering technical meaning. Magazine editors commission content, coordinate with writers, and balance editorial material with advertising. A successful magazine creates a coherent “editorial environment,” where diverse articles and sections work together seamlessly, maintaining consistency in style, design, and audience appeal across each issue.

Government publishers produce numerous documents, requiring editors to ensure accuracy, follow strict detail, and understand agency policies, legal wording, and departmental functions. All levels of government publish many documents: court records, government proceedings, directories, laws and regulations, online material, reports, guidebooks, and so on. In fact, governments are among the most prolific publishers, and editing government publications can be complex, detailed, and challenging.

The Impact of AI on Editing

Even with the progression of AI, editors are not going anywhere.

So far, AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can certainly aid our work as editors, but they are nowhere near capable of replacing our hands-on work. Our editing colleague Rhonda Bracey has tested ChatGPT out for writing and for editing. And Adrienne Montgomery has written about why editing is still a safe career choice as well as putting GPT through some editing tests.

AI is not a miracle. It has many limitations, and so far, it is unable to grasp the nuances and complexities of good writing. Insight, creativity, expertise, intuition—these are all things that AI still lacks. West Coast Editorial Associate’s Barbara Johnston captures a lot of these same thoughts in her blog post, “Editing in the age of AI: Why human insight still matters.” And Jane Friedman has also written an excellent piece expressing the existential debates AI has created for authors and publishers. It's a great read if you're curious about what's happening in writing and publishing with AI beyond how it’s being harnessed to create efficiencies: https://thewritingplatform.com/2025/06/what-ai-cant-steal-from-you/

References

• Definitions of editorial skills: https://editors.ca/hire-an-editor/skills/
• https://editors.ca/join/career/
• https://editors.ca/publications/professional-editorial-standards/fundamentals-editing/
• Editors Canada – What Editors Charge? (This page also includes a link to the Editors Canada Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement, a contract template that anyone can use to agree to terms with a client.)
• Editorial Freelancers Association – Editorial Rates (This is a US source, but the information provided is a reasonable ballpark for Canada as well; note that “line editing” is the term often used in the US to mean stylistic editing.)
• Quill & Quire – 2018 salary survey for book publishing (Used with permission from the publisher.)
• Right Angels and Polo Bears estimating calculator

Supplemental Reading

• Five Good Reasons to Hire an Editor
• What Can a Professional Editor Do for You

Basic Resources for All Editors

A Comprehensive Dictionary

Most editors have more than one dictionary. Some recommended dictionaries include:

• Canadian Oxford Dictionary
• Gage Canadian Dictionary
• ITP Nelson Canadian Dictionary of the English Language

For British spelling, use Concise Oxford Dictionary; for American spelling, use Merriam-Webster’s.

• OneLook* is a useful online resource: https://www.onelook.com/.

At Least One Style Guide

Some widely used style guides:

• Chicago Manual of Style
• Canadian Style
• *Globe & Mail Style Book*
• Canadian Press Stylebook https://www.thecanadianpress.com/writing-guide/stylebook/

• An overview https://www.davidmckie.com/Canadian%20Press%20Style%20Guide%20Excerpts.pdf

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Other Resources for Editors

• Editing Canadian English – Editors Canada’s reference book for Canadian editorial issues.
• Canadian Press’s Caps and Spelling – Guide for abbreviations, spelling, and names.
• Elements of Indigenous Style – Gregory Younging’s guide for writing about Indigenous peoples.

Additional resources are included in the publications list below.

Useful Websites for Editors

• Editors Canada – Conferences, professional development, publications, and the Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement.
• The Chicago Manual of Style – Full manual (subscription), FAQs, blog; free via SFU Library.
• Language Portal of Canada – Writing Tips Plus and Peck’s English Pointers.
• Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) – Writing and editing resources.
• Conscious Style Guide – Inclusive language guidance.

Grammar Websites

• EF Canada
• Grammar Girl

Editing-related Blogs

• The Editors' Weekly (Editors Canada)
• Iva Cheung
• An American Editor
• The Editing Blog

Publications About Editing, Writing, and Publishing

• Bernstein TM. The Careful Writer. New York, NY: Free Press; 1995. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Careful-Writer/Theodore-M-Bernstein/9780684826325
• Burchfield RW, ed. The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage. 3rd ed. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press; 1996. https://archive.org/details/newfowlersmodern00fowl
• Editors Canada. Editing Canadian English: A Guide for Editors, Writers, and Everyone Who Works with Words. 3rd ed. Toronto, ON: Editors Canada, 2015. https://editors.ca/publications/editing-canadian-english/
• Einsohn A, Schwartz M. The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications. 4th ed. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 2019. https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520305781/the-copyeditors-handbook
• Ginna P, ed. What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book Editing. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2017. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/W/bo21439635.html
• Gross G, ed. Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know about What Editors Do. New York, NY: Grove Press; 1993. https://books.google.ca/books/about/Editors_on_Editing.html?id=jJxrsyj658MC&redir_esc=y
• International Paper Company. Pocket Pal: A Graphic Arts Production Handbook. 2003.
• Lerner B. What Love’s Got to Do With It: The Author‑Editor Relationship. In: Ginna P, ed. What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book Editing. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2017:69‑? (chapter). https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.7208/9780226300030-007/html
• Norton S. Developmental Editing: A Handbook for Freelancers, Authors, and Publishers. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2009. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo201563215.html
• Pinker S. The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century. New York, NY: Penguin; 2014. https://redacaocientifica.weebly.com/uploads/6/0/2/2/60226751/the_sense_of_style.pdf
• Saller CF. The Subversive Copy Editor: Advice from Chicago. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2009. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo23530364.html
• Sjoholm B. An Editor’s Guide to Working with Authors. Rainforest Press; 2011. Available formats: e‑book listing at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-editors-guide-to-working-with-authors-barbara-sjoholm/1108002754
• Strunk W Jr, White EB. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon; 1999.
• Sullivan KD, Eggleston M. McGraw‑Hill Desk Reference for Editors, Writers, and Proofreaders. New York, NY: McGraw‑Hill; 2006.
• Vermeer L. The Complete Canadian Book Editor. Edmonton, AB: Brush Education Inc.; 2016.
• Younging G. Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing by and about Indigenous Peoples. Edmonton, AB: Brush Education Inc.; 2018.

Editing fiction

• Stephen King’s memoir, On Writing. Part 2, “Toolbox,” and Part 3, “On Writing,” is great, instructive reading for the fiction editor (and the first part is absolute page-turning autobiography).
• Dreyer’s English, Chapter 7, “The Realities of Fiction”
• Amy J. Schneider’s The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction offer great tips on editing fiction

Specialized editing tools such as the following

• Consistency-checking software (e.g., PerfectIt)
• Indexing software (e.g., Cindex or SKY)
• Word-processing macros and plug-ins (e.g., Editorium)
• Content management applications (e.g., WordPress)

Themes of Professional Editing

The following are key themes in professional editing:

1. Role of the Editor

Editors perform a variety of tasks depending on their role, including copy editing, structural editing, stylistic editing, and developmental editing. Each stage requires distinct skills and responsibilities.

2. Balancing Clarity and Fidelity

Editors must decide when to stay true to the original text and when to clarify for the reader.

• Ensuring sentences can stand alone when context is limited.
• Maintaining the author’s voice while improving readability.

3. Communication and Diplomacy

Effective editing requires clear, tactful communication with authors, publishers, and production staff.

• Navigating egos and expectations.
• Explaining editorial decisions diplomatically.

4. Project Management and Coordination

Editing often involves managing multiple contributors and processes.

• Coordinating authors, designers, proofreaders, and production staff.
• Meeting deadlines and integrating revisions efficiently.

5. Professional Judgment and Ethics

Editors make decisions that balance commercial, creative, and ethical considerations.

• Gatekeeping and curatorial responsibilities.
• Maintaining integrity while meeting publication goals.

6. Perfection vs. Practicality

Editors must recognize that "finished" work is often better than "perfect."

• Accepting constraints of time, purpose, and project scope.
• Prioritizing clarity and readability over unattainable perfection.

7. Learning and Self-Reflection

Continuous professional development is critical for editors.

• Practicing editing skills and learning from exercises.
• Reflecting on personal growth, assertiveness, and attention to detail.

8. Awareness of Publishing Contexts

Editorial intervention varies depending on the type of publication.

• Scholarly journals: light editing, focus on copyediting and proofreading.
• Magazines: more hands-on editing for style, tone, and audience.
• Trade and periodical publishing: navigating different levels of intervention and author expectations.

Summary

Professional editing is a balance of technical skill, ethical judgment, communication, and project management. Understanding context, audience, and editorial purpose is essential for effective editing practice.

References

• Editors Canada. "Editing Canadian English." 3rd edition. Toronto: Editors Canada, 2015.
• Chicago Manual of Style. Official website
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). Official website

Professional Editor's Scope of Practice

Editing Workflow: From Manuscript to Publication
Goal: Understand how professional editors apply editorial skills across the publishing workflow, based on Editors Canada definitions and standards.
Stage	Editorial focus	What the editor does	Key decisions & collaboration	Editors Canada reference
1. Project intake & assessment	Purpose, audience, scope	Review manuscript or content brief Identify audience, genre, and publishing context Assess level of editing required Clarify timelines, budget, and responsibilities	Is the manuscript ready for editing? What level of editing is appropriate? Communicate scope clearly with author or publisher	Professional Editorial Standards
2. Structural editing	Organization and content	Analyze structure, logic, and flow Reorganize sections or chapters Identify gaps, redundancies, and inconsistencies Suggest additions, deletions, or reordering	How much intervention is needed? Should changes be made directly or queried? Collaborate closely with the author	Definitions of Editorial Skills
3. Stylistic editing	Clarity, tone, voice	Clarify meaning at paragraph and sentence level Improve readability and flow Ensure consistent tone and register Preserve the author’s voice	Does the edit improve clarity without changing meaning? Is the tone appropriate for the audience? Balance clarity with fidelity	Definitions of Editorial Skills
4. Copyediting	Accuracy and consistency	Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage Apply style guide consistently Check facts, references, tables, and cross-references Ensure internal consistency	Which style guide applies? When should the editor query rather than change? Coordinate with designers or production staff if needed	Professional Editorial Standards
5. Author review & revision	Collaboration and communication	Respond to author queries Clarify editorial rationale Negotiate changes diplomatically Incorporate approved revisions	How to explain changes clearly and respectfully? When to stand by an editorial decision? Maintain professional boundaries	What Editors Do
6. Proofreading	Final accuracy	Review formatted proofs Correct typographical and formatting errors Ensure all corrections are applied Check headings, captions, page numbers, and references	Are changes limited to error correction? Has the text already been copyedited? Coordinate with production staff	Definitions of Editorial Skills
7. Publication & reflection	Professional practice	Confirm final files meet specifications Reflect on workflow and communication Note lessons learned for future projects Maintain records and style sheets	What worked well in this project? How could communication or process improve? Apply learning to future work	Professional Editorial Standards

Professional Editing: Scope of Practice
Core responsibility: Editors improve clarity and coherence in written documents while balancing the needs of authors, publishers, and readers.
Editorial skill	Focus	Key responsibilities	Typical stage
Structural editing (aka substantive editing)	Organization and content	Assess structure, argument, and completeness Reorganize material for coherence and flow Identify gaps, redundancies, and weaknesses Advise on audience, purpose, and scope	Early drafting and revision
Stylistic editing	Clarity, tone, and readability	Clarify meaning and refine expression Improve sentence flow and transitions Maintain consistent tone and style Preserve the author’s voice	Draft and revision stages
Copyediting	Accuracy and consistency	Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage Apply style guides and conventions Check facts, references, and internal consistency Prepare text for publication	Pre-publication
Proofreading	Final accuracy	Correct typographical and formatting errors Compare proofs with edited copy Ensure corrections and design consistency	Final production
Professional Practice Themes
Theme	Description
Judgment & ethics	Editors apply professional judgment, adhere to editorial standards, maintain confidentiality, and balance commercial, creative, and ethical considerations.
Communication & collaboration	Editors communicate clearly and diplomatically with authors and publishing professionals, explaining decisions and managing expectations.
Project management	Editors coordinate workflows, manage deadlines, track revisions, and integrate feedback across publishing stages.
Context awareness	Editorial approaches vary by genre, publication type, audience, and medium, including scholarly, trade, magazine, government, and digital publishing.
Tools & development	Editors use style guides, dictionaries, editing software, and project-management tools, and engage in ongoing professional development.

What Professional Editors Do (Editors Canada–Based)
Core purpose: Editors help written documents communicate clearly and coherently. They balance the needs of authors, publishers, and readers at every stage of the publishing process.
Type of editing	What the editor focuses on	Typical responsibilities
Structural editing	Big-picture organization and meaning	Evaluate structure, logic, and completeness Reorganize content for clarity and flow Identify gaps, repetition, or weak arguments Advise on audience, purpose, and scope
Stylistic editing	Clarity, tone, and readability	Clarify meaning and improve expression Smooth sentence flow and transitions Maintain a consistent tone and style Respect the author’s voice and intent
Copyediting	Accuracy and consistency	Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage Apply style guides and editorial conventions Check internal consistency and basic facts Prepare text for publication
Proofreading	Final-stage accuracy	Catch typographical and formatting errors Compare proofs to edited copy Ensure corrections are applied correctly
How Editors Work
Area	Description
Professional judgment	Editors decide how much to intervene, when to query, and when to leave text unchanged, based on context and audience.
Communication & collaboration	Editors work closely with authors and other publishing professionals, explaining decisions clearly and respectfully.
Personal qualities	Effective editors are detail-oriented, organized, logical, flexible, focused, and have a strong command of language.
Publishing stages	Editors may contribute at different points, from early drafts to final production.
Work environments	Editors work in publishing, government, business, non-profit, academic, and online settings.
Compensation	Pay varies depending on experience, specialty, genre, location, and type of employment.
Tools & resources	Editors rely on style guides, dictionaries, editing manuals, and digital editing and project-management tools.

Professional Editing: Scope of Practice (Editors Canada–Based)
Core responsibility: An editor’s primary responsibility is to achieve clarity and coherence in written documents while balancing the interests of authors, publishers, and readers.
Editorial skill (Editors Canada)	Purpose	Key responsibilities	Typical stage
Structural editing	Improve organization, logic, and overall effectiveness of content	Assess structure, argument, and completeness Reorganize content for coherence and flow Identify gaps, redundancies, or conceptual problems Advise on audience, scope, and purpose	Early stages of writing and revision
Stylistic editing	Improve clarity, tone, and readability while preserving author voice	Clarify meaning and refine expression Improve sentence flow and transitions Ensure consistency of tone and style Balance clarity with fidelity to author intent	Draft and revision stages
Copyediting	Ensure accuracy, consistency, and correctness	Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage Apply style guides and editorial conventions Check internal consistency and basic facts Prepare text for publication	Pre-publication stage
Proofreading	Detect and correct final-stage errors	Identify typographical and formatting errors Check page proofs against edited copy Ensure corrections have been implemented accurately	Final production stage
Professional Practice Context
Aspect	Description
Balancing interests	Editors balance the needs and expectations of authors, publishers, and readers, exercising professional judgment in deciding when to intervene, query, or defer.
Professional qualities	Strong editors typically demonstrate: A love of language Attention to detail and organization Sound judgment and logical thinking Excellent communication skills Flexibility, focus, and adaptability
Collaboration	Editors work with authors, designers, proofreaders, production staff, and other professionals as part of a publishing team.
Publishing stages	Editors may be involved at multiple stages of the publishing process, from early manuscript development through final production.
Work environments	Editors work in a wide range of settings, including: Publishing companies Businesses and professional associations Governments and non-profit organizations Universities and colleges Digital and online environments
Compensation	Editor compensation varies widely depending on location, experience, specialty, genre, and type of employment.
Resources & tools	Editors use style guides, dictionaries, editing manuals, digital tools, and project-management systems to support their work.

The Professional Editor’s Scope of Practice Version #1
Scope note: In keeping with Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards, professional editing aims to achieve clarity, coherence, and accuracy while balancing the needs of authors, publishers, and readers. Editors apply judgment, ethics, communication skills, and project management across diverse publishing contexts. (Supplementary descriptors informed by UBC Wiki: Editing 101.)
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1. Editorial services	2. Editorial judgment	3. Communication & collaboration
Structural editing (organization, content, argument) Stylistic editing (clarity, coherence, tone) Copyediting (accuracy, consistency, completeness) Proofreading (final review and error correction) See Editors Canada: Definitions of Editorial Skills	Apply professional judgment appropriate to purpose, audience, and genre Balance clarity with respect for author voice and intent Determine appropriate level of intervention Decide when to query, suggest, or edit directly	Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally Explain editorial decisions and rationale Collaborate with authors, publishers, and production staff Balance differing perspectives diplomatically
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4. Project management	5. Ethics & professional standards	6. Scope & practical constraints
Plan and manage editorial workflows Coordinate contributors and production roles Meet deadlines and manage revisions Maintain records, versions, and documentation	Adhere to Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards Maintain confidentiality and integrity Avoid conflicts of interest Apply inclusive and respectful language practices See Editors Canada: Professional Editorial Standards	Work within agreed scope, budget, and timelines Prioritize clarity and usability over unnecessary perfection Recognize limits of the editor’s role Know when editorial work is complete
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7. Publishing contexts	8. Professional qualities	9. Professional growth & engagement
Scholarly, trade, and magazine publishing Government and institutional publishing Business, non-profit, and association publishing Digital and online environments Contextual breadth reflected in UBC Wiki: Editing 101	Strong command of language Attention to detail and organization Logical, flexible, and focused approach Sound judgment and adaptability Descriptors informed by UBC Wiki: Editing 101	Ongoing professional development Participation in Editors Canada and peer networks Mentoring and peer learning Responsible use of editorial, AI, and project-management tools
Summary: Professional editing, as defined by Editors Canada, integrates editorial skill, judgment, ethical practice, communication, and effective project management. Editors work collaboratively across publishing contexts to improve clarity, coherence, and accuracy while balancing the needs of authors, publishers, and readers.

The Professional Editor's Scope of Practice (Draft)
Scope note: Professional editing combines a range of skills, knowledge, abilities, and mindsets. (ie., good communication, ethics, project management, professional judgment and professional engagement)
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1. Roles & responsibilities	2. Balancing clarity & fidelity	3. Communication & diplomacy
Structural editing (organization and content) Stylistic editing (clarify meaning, ensure coherence and flow) Copyediting (ensure correctness, accuracy, consistency, and completeness) Proofreading (final fact-checking and error-detection) See Editors Canada definitions & Copyeditor’s Typographic Oath	Preserve author's voice and intent (fidelity) Enhance clarity and readability for readers Balance minimal intervention with necessary improvements Navigate when to query vs. when to edit	Effective editing requires clear, tactful communication with authors, publishers, and production staff Communicate editorial rationale clearly and respectfully Navigate differing perspectives diplomatically; coaching through revisions Balance assertiveness with sensitivity
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4. Project management & coordination	5. Professional judgment & ethics	6. Practicality over perfection
Plan and manage editorial workflows Coordinate multiple contributors (authors, designers, proofreaders, production staff) Balance competing deadlines and priorities Integrate revisions and feedback efficiently	Balance commercial and creative priorities Apply editorial standards Maintain ethics and integrity throughout process Apply inclusive editorial practices See Editors Canada’s Professional Standards	Deliver timely, high quality results over perfection Accept and work within project constraints Prioritize clarity & readability Know your role and when to stop editing
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7. Publishing contexts	8. Learning & self-reflection	9. Professional development
Scholarly journals: light editing, focus on copyediting and proofreading. Magazines: more hands-on editing for style, tone, and audience. Trade and periodical publishing: navigate levels of intervention and author expectations. Government publications: court records, proceedings, directories, laws and regulations. Digital platforms: consider format-specific requirements and user experience	Engage as a lifelong learner and with peers Receive mentoring and mentor others Practice and refine editorial skills Reflect on feedback, communication approaches, and attention to detail Develop and apply critical editorial judgment	Conferences, workshops, webinars, SFU courses Essential style guides, dictionaries, editing manuals Editors Canada, mentorship programs, regional associations Editing blogs, newsletters, professional publications AI and digital tools, editing and project management software
Summary: Professional editing balances technical skill, ethical judgment, communication, and project management. Understanding context, audience, and editorial purpose is essential for effective practice. Editing is an iterative and collaborative process that requires both precision and flexibility.
Memorable quote: "...An editor has to edit accurately enough to satisfy the most informed audience member, clearly enough for even a novice to follow, and in such a way as to catch and hold the attention of all readers."

The Professional Editor's Scope of Practice Version #2
Scope note: Professional editing encompasses editorial skills, professional judgment, ethical conduct, communication, and collaboration, as defined by Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards.
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1. Editorial services	2. Editorial judgment	3. Communication & collaboration
Structural editing (organization, content, argument) Stylistic editing (clarity, coherence, tone) Copyediting (accuracy, consistency, completeness) Proofreading (final review and error correction) See Editors Canada: Definitions of Editorial Skills	Apply professional judgment appropriate to context and audience Balance clarity with respect for author voice and intent Determine appropriate level of intervention Decide when to query, suggest, or edit directly	Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally Explain editorial decisions and rationale Collaborate with authors, publishers, and production staff Manage disagreements constructively
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4. Project management	5. Ethics & professional standards	6. Scope, quality & constraints
Plan and manage editorial work efficiently Coordinate workflows and contributors Meet deadlines and manage revisions Maintain accurate records and version control	Adhere to Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards Maintain confidentiality and integrity Apply inclusive and respectful language practices Avoid conflicts of interest See Editors Canada: Professional Editorial Standards	Work within agreed scope, budget, and timelines Prioritize clarity and usability over unnecessary perfection Recognize limits of the editor’s role Know when editorial work is complete
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7. Publishing contexts	8. Professional growth	9. Professional engagement
Scholarly publishing: copyediting- and proofreading-focused Magazines and trade publishing: style, voice, and audience emphasis Government publishing: clarity, accuracy, and legal sensitivity Digital publishing: accessibility, format, and user experience	Commit to lifelong learning Reflect on feedback and editorial decisions Develop critical judgment and expertise Adapt to evolving standards and technologies	Participate in Editors Canada and related associations Engage in mentoring and peer learning Attend conferences, courses, and workshops Use editorial, AI, and project-management tools responsibly
Summary: In keeping with Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards, professional editing integrates editorial skill, judgment, ethics, communication, and effective project management. Editors adapt their approach to context, audience, and purpose while maintaining professional integrity.
Memorable quote: “An editor has to edit accurately enough to satisfy the most informed audience member, clearly enough for even a novice to follow, and in such a way as to catch and hold the attention of all readers.”