This is a video showing you how much copyediting had to be done to a book written by a self-publishing guru. “It was already rewritten twice and, hey, I have a fairly good grasp of the English language. In other words, my book was in relatively good shape. And yet, as you’ll see in the video, there were plenty of corrections.”
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2011/08/23/why-you-need-an-editor-a-demonstration/
For those about to Tweet: twittercheatsheet
Style guides work best when they are treated as a reference or starting point rather than a bible. This article explains the variations in them and how they are influenced by preferences — those of the publisher, audience and editors — and what that can mean for writers.
It’s all here: 21 tips to consider when you’re working with a freelance copy editor or proofreader so you can “produce a readable publication without breaking the bank.” The tips outline what freelancers need most to work to the best of their ability.
Courtesy Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition: http://www.eliteediting.com/resources/proof-reader-marks.aspx
