lédition

l'édition is the French term for the field and product of publishing as well as the act of editing. In French usage it covers both the process of shaping a manuscript for release and the resulting product—a specific edition of a work, such as the first edition or a revised edition.

In publishing, l'édition involves several roles and activities. The éditeur (publisher) selects and finances works, while editors guide development and ensure coherence and quality. Other professionals include copyeditors and proofreaders who polish language and accuracy, a directeur artistique or maquettiste responsible for design and typography, and often translators or illustrators. The typical process ranges from acquisition and development editing to substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, design and typesetting, production, and distribution, followed by marketing and rights management.

Edition as a product is characterized by versions released to readers. Terms such as first edition, revised edition, new edition, or critical edition denote successive releases that reflect changes in content, interpretation, or presentation. Editions also serve bibliographic and scholarly functions, with critical editions often presenting authoritative text, annotations, and scholarly apparatus.

The field has evolved with technology. Digital publishing, e-books, and print-on-demand have expanded access to editions beyond traditional printed runs, while self-publishing and open access have altered traditional gatekeeping and distribution models. Regardless of format, l'édition remains the framework through which texts are prepared, presented, and disseminated to audiences.