>>Laura
Dec. 8
So when I find the typos and inconsistencies in books, it's the copy editor's fault??<<

Typos, yes. Grammar, spelling and syntax are among the copy editor's main responsibilities. Whatever mistakes the writer or editor have made in those departments, the copy editor is supposed to find and fix.

Inconsistencies, maybe. Sometimes, because the copy editor is reading for the trees, he or she will miss the forest, and fail to make a connection that would have alerted him/her to an inconsistency. Or the copy editor will suggest a change to correct one and the author will reject it for some reason. That's within your rights as the author, by the way, to reject any change the copy editor suggests, or even any change your editor suggests. It's within your rights, but it's not usually a good idea, especially with the copy editor, who is, essentially, cleaning up your ms. (although all writers have copy editor war stories...). And as I've said before, when your editor is suggesting a change, it's because something isn't working. You're always well advised to look at the issue, even if you don't like the editor's idea.