It is amazing that there are so many types of people in the publishing industry! While there are many people who love words, as to be expected, there are also many other people with a variety of other loves related to the written word.
When in graduate school, I took several classes on design and typography. I learned the mechanics of design, but I also learned that this was not a skill I innately have.
Typeface: a specific design of an alphabet.
Font: a complete alphabet of one size of one typeface.
Typestyle: a variety of styles for a specific typeface. The most common typestyle of a typeface is “roman.” Most typefaces are available in italic and bold as well, though some are available in a wide range of typestyles.
Type family: all of the styles and sizes of a given typeface.
Above are some of the mechanics I learned. Thanks to my graduate school classes, I can now spot good and bad design. As with many things in life, one either has the skill or one doesn’t. Mechanics only aid in the gift. Because of what I learned, I now have a greater respect for those who do have this skill.
April Michelle Davis has been the executive director of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) since 2018. Prior to that, she was NAIWE’s Social Media Marketing Expert. NAIWE is an association that focuses on career building for writers, editors, and other professionals in the publishing industry by developing multiple streams of income; it helps its members market their products and services through social media, newsletters, and more.
She is also the coordinator for the Virginia chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association, a lifetime member of the American Copy Editors Society, and a freelance editor, indexer, proofreader, and author. April Michelle has taught courses through her own company, Editorial Inspirations, as well as for associations and colleges on topics such as editing, indexing, grammar, writing, and creating macros.
Her credentials include a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Messiah College, as well as certificates in editing (University of Virginia), book publishing (University of Virginia), and professional editing (EEI Communications).
April Michelle has shared her insights about her career development by contributing quotes and vignettes to several books. She has presented sessions on various editorial topics to many groups, including the Virginia Writers Club, the Communication Central conference, Randolph-Macon College, the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, the EFA, Copyediting newsletter, RavenCon, and the Hanover Book Festival. In addition, April Michelle has published three books.
Developmental editing, also known as substantive editing, structural editing, or heavy line editing, can begin even before the author starts writing. The developmental editor may help plan the organization, features, and other aspects of the work. Although the author is technically writing the text, the editor may work with the author to create an outline to help with organization as early as possible in the writing process.
Learning a new style manual takes time, and part of being a copyeditor is thoroughly knowing at least one style manual. As you edit, you ask questions, often about the same types of changes, so knowing some items to look up when learning a new style manual can give you a head start in the familiarization process. You may even want to create a style sheet for the new style manual.
NAIWE is always coming out with new 
Books by well-known authors who have died are still read. Why do their words still matter to generations of today?
Have you heard insincere words that caused you to rethink the character of the speaker? Was it the tone of voice, the actual words? What made you doubt the sincerity of the words?
What is your favorite quote? What words in it make it your favorite quote?
Word Choice. Inner Thoughts. Open Book. What do these three have in common?
Walk like you talk. How do your words reflect in your actions?
Words Matter Week, which is in its 15th year, is a holiday that is celebrated annually the first full week in March by the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors.