What is a query and where will you see it on your edited manuscript?
In editing, a query is a question or note from your editor about your manuscript. Your editor won’t query you about every change they’ve made (although changes should be visible in the redlined version).
Queries are reserved for the following types of situations:
- Your editor wants to tell you why they absolutely love a specific part of your manuscript.
- Your editor is explaining a complicated revision and checking in with you for an OK.
- Your editor is asking you to consider revising a sentence or paragraph to decrease the chance of misunderstanding.
- Your editor is calling your attention to an inconsistency in a character or place name or description.
- Your editor is suggesting you define a term your readers may not know.
- Your editor is pointing out biased language that you’ll want to revise to avoid alienating any of your readers.
When you’re reviewing an edited manuscript that I’ve returned to you, you’ll find my queries in the right margin in Print Layout view.
Don’t be afraid to ask me for help if you’re having trouble seeing them or if one of my queries seems unclear. That’s what I’m here for!
