RE: Recommend copy editing software? - My impression of WordsnSync EditTool

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George Hamilton

17 Aug 2012, 04:44 PM | Post: #1

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RE: Recommend copy editing software? - My impression of WordsnSync EditTool - Post 11

This post was last modified: 09 Sep 2012 12:01 PM by George Hamilton.

I am trying to find a bit of copy editing software that I can use to search for my most common errors, without me having to write the macros myself in Word. Can anyone recommend any such programs, where I would also be able to add the elements I want to search for – e.g. using “which” when it should be “that”. I have come across EditTools, but I’m not sure if it’s any good.

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George Hamilton

18 Aug 2012, 10:40 AM | Post: #2

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

Editors out there, what software do you use to clean up the manuscript before you go through it line by line?

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Rosen Trevithick Reading

18 Aug 2012, 10:48 AM | Post: #3

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

Word 2010's grammar checker picks up which/that. I tried a few bits of specialised software before deciding to employ an editor. The software was generally very bad - it picked up four non-mistakes for every actual mistake.

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George Hamilton

18 Aug 2012, 04:50 PM | Post: #4

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

(18 Aug 2012 10:48 AM)Rosen Trevithick Wrote: I tried a few bits of specialised software before deciding to employ an editor.

If I can afford it I will employ an editor, but I would still like to do my own edit before I send it out to beta readers. I understand that some editors either write their own marcos to pick up certain problems, or the software picks it up like words which/that feature. It is then up to the editor to decide if an adjustment is actually needed. The type of software I'm talking about is not intended to replace the editor.

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Rosen Trevithick Reading

18 Aug 2012, 05:59 PM | Post: #5

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

(18 Aug 2012 04:50 PM)George Hamilton Wrote:
(18 Aug 2012 10:48 AM)Rosen Trevithick Wrote: I tried a few bits of specialised software before deciding to employ an editor.
If I can afford it I will employ an editor, but I would still like to do my own edit before I send it out to beta readers. I understand that some editors either write their own marcos to pick up certain problems, or the software picks it up like words which/that feature. It is then up to the editor to decide if an adjustment is actually needed. The type of software I'm talking about is not intended to replace the editor.

I wasn't criticising you for not employing an editor, just letting you know that I tried various pieces of software in the past and found them disappointing.

It would be useful if Word's grammar checker allowed greater customisation for example add ons.

I found a blog post that suggests using a homophone list to create an index, which would let you home in on certain potential problems.

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George Hamilton

19 Aug 2012, 12:03 PM | Post: #6

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

Hi Rosen. I didn't take it as criticism. I think I'll give EditTools a try, as it's free for 15 days.

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Dorte Hummelshoj Reading Winterlude by Quentin Bates

19 Aug 2012, 01:31 PM | Post: #7

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

(19 Aug 2012 12:03 PM)George Hamilton Wrote: Hi Rosen. I didn't take it as criticism. I think I'll give EditTools a try, as it's free for 15 days.

Please let us know if it works. I don´t intend to publish books which have not been edited by someone else, but I also prefer to find as many errors as possible before I send my works off to anyone else.

And as Rosen says, Word is worse than no help. I keep telling my students to trust me rather than Word Smile

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George Hamilton

20 Aug 2012, 04:26 PM | Post: #8

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

I will do, Dorte.

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Talli Roland Reading

20 Aug 2012, 06:10 PM | Post: #9

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

I use AutoCrit to do a pass before I send it to my editor. I've found it very helpful.

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George Hamilton

20 Aug 2012, 06:59 PM | Post: #10

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RE: Can anyone recommend copy editing software?

(20 Aug 2012 06:10 PM)Talli Roland Wrote: I use AutoCrit to do a pass before I send it to my editor. I've found it very helpful.

Thanks, Talli, I'll check it out.

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