WHAT ON EARTH IS COPY-EDITING?

This month, your copy-editor was asked to do some ironing. Not fine silk pillowcases (more's the pity), but some rough-hewn website text. Here's an extract before I set to:
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• A fun wallpaper for your little dudes and dudet the new age wallpaper is the new world we will all be living in soon. With its fantastic colours it will light up any kids face. From pink buildings to for the girls to have spaceships in the city for boys. This would add that finishing touch to any kid’s room. With a funky new age design, it will make anyone look twice! 

I found that a slightly bewildering vision, so I turned what the author wrote into what he thought he wrote:

• With its fun and futuristic design, this colourful wallpaper will light up your child’s face and add a funky, new-age touch to their room.

I removed the fluff and ironed out the wrinkles, leaving the text shorter, tighter and infinitely more readable. By employing the light touch of a copy-editor, my client will almost certainly sell more rolls of wallpaper.