ABSTRACT
Copy editors are ruthless people. Their chief function is to make sure that the text is clearly prepared for the printer, with house styles observed regarding single and double quote marks, etc. They are not there as literary critics, and must patiently plough through any amount of sentimental rubbish without wincing, turning a blind eye to cliché, weak characterization and barking-mad improbability, provided the chronology works and the heroine’s hair doesn’t keep changing colour.
