What Is Copyediting?

There are a lot of different terms under the editing umbrella. Developmental editing, content editing, line editing, copyediting. The list goes on. Copyediting focuses on the words rather than on the story elements. I can’t let a plot hole slip by without comment, however, so those kinds of things are included in my service, but my primary focus is on copyediting—fixing the paragraphs, sentences, words and punctuation. Line editing is a heavy copyedit with additional, subjective suggestions to improve the writing in manuscripts that need it, which is why the price I list at the bottom of this page is a range. Copyediting includes:

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Story Level

  • Basic fact-checking
  • Plot consistency
  • Character consistency
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Paragraph Level

  • Repetition
  • Speaker/action consistency
  • Pacing
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Sentence Level

  • Punctuation
  • Grammar
  • Misplaced modifiers
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Word Level

  • Spelling
  • Hyphenation
  • Word usage
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Styling Consistency

  • Italicization
  • Ellipses
  • Quotation marks
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Formatting

  • Remove tabs
  • Remove extra spaces
  • Remove extra line breaks

Copyediting Process

Free Sample

For new clients only: In order to see if we’re a good match, I offer a free sample edit of your work, between 500 and 1000 words (less for short stories and novellas).

Scheduling

If you like my sample edit and decide you’d like to work with me, we’ll discuss scheduling to find a time slot that works for us both.

Quote & Contract

Once we’ve secured a time slot, I’ll send you a quote with a plain-English contract that outlines terms that protect both your interests and mine.

First Invoice

After you accept the quote and contract terms, I’ll send an invoice for a deposit of 50% of the total cost of the project. Payment of this deposit indicates your acceptance of the contract terms and is due before the edit begins.

Send Manuscript 1.0

Once you send your deposit, it’s time to send me your manuscript. I can accept manuscripts through a variety of methods, including email, Box.com, or Dropbox.com. See my About Me page for more on confidentiality and my editing standards.

First Pass

The first pass can take anywhere from two to four weeks from the start date that we’ve agreed upon, depending on the length of the manuscript and the amount of work needed. I edit with Track Changes enabled, so you’ll be able to clearly see the changes I’ve made.

Custom Style Sheet

During my first pass, I will create a custom style sheet for your manuscript, detailing characters, proper nouns, locations, and unique words. This is especially helpful with series.

Delivery of Files

When I’ve completed the first pass, I will send you:

  1. Your manuscript with tracked changes showing all of my changes and suggestions
  2. Your custom style sheet

Final Invoice

The bulk of the work is done during the first pass, so along with your files, I’ll send you a final invoice for the remaining 50% of the total price. This invoice is due upon receipt of the first-pass files.

Accept/Reject Changes

Now it’s time for you to read through the manuscript and either accept or reject changes. Click here for a short video tutorial on Track Changes.

Address Queries

You will find any queries I have in comment boxes. I may suggest some minor rewrites, so please make sure Track Changes is enabled so that I will be able to easily identify any changes you’ve made.

Send Manuscript 2.0

Once you’ve gone over all the changes and comments, you will then send the manuscript back to me for a final cleanup pass.

Cleanup Pass

The cleanup pass is a final check to make sure changes were made as intended and no new errors were introduced. I’ll also edit any changes you’ve made based on my comments and suggestions from the first pass.

Final Files

After the cleanup pass, I’ll send your final files (tracked and clean), as well as an updated style sheet if anything has changed.

Did You Book a Proofread?

When I’ve personally copyedited your manuscript, I guarantee the lowest price on my proofreading fee scale. If you’ve booked a proofread as part of a package, I’ll send your manuscript to the proofreader.

Pricing

$0.02 – $0.03

per word

Costs for copyediting vary, depending on the level of work the manuscript requires. My rates are consistent with or lower than the rates listed on the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate chart. My final quote will be based on a sample of your manuscript. Use the calculator on the right to get an idea of the price range I will quote you for.

Ready to book your project?

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