Editing Services
Basic copy editing: US 2.5 cents/word
Think of this as the final – but critical – polish on your almost-finished document. Overall, the document is structured the way you want it; you're happy with the message you're presenting and the order in which the various components are laid out. What you really need now is for someone to fix all those pesky typos, catch any continuity errors or confusing bits you haven't noticed, and make sure the document as a whole is internally consistent and in the correct style (if you're working with a particular formatting style).
All of that is what I can do for you as a copy editor. I will:
All of that is what I can do for you as a copy editor. I will:
- Correct errors of grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
- Resolve sentence-level structural issues, ensuring your meaning comes across clearly and concisely;
- Flag continuity and other major errors, if I spot any, for your attention;
- Ensure your entire document is internally consistent with respect to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and general formatting;
- Apply whatever house style you choose (or your publisher has chosen);
- Apply all of the above to any figures, plates, and/or tables and the accompanying captions.
Copy editing, with citations/references: US 3.5 cents/word
This service is designed for academic or technical writers whose documents include citations to other sources. You will receive everything included in the basic copy edit, plus I will also do the following:
- Cross check your citations and references, to ensure that every source cited is in the reference list (or equivalent), and every source in the references is cited somewhere in the text (or in the figures, tables, etc.);
- Format your citations according to your chosen citation style (e.g. APA, Chicago name-date, CSE, etc.);
- Format your reference list (or bibliography, footnotes, endnotes, etc.) according to your chosen reference style.
Structural editing: US 5.0 cents/word
Structural editing, also called developmental or substantive editing, helps you with the big picture of your book (or other document). It is not concerned with sentence-level things like spelling, grammar, and punctuation, because at this point you're not certain which sentences you're going to keep and which you'll have to rewrite or delete entirely.
In a structural edit, I will read your document and respond with a detailed report, plus leave comments in the document itself where relevant, providing the following:
If I have already completed a structural edit on your manuscript, and now you'd like me to copy edit the revised version of the same work, please mention this when you contact me – you may be eligible for a discounted rate.
In a structural edit, I will read your document and respond with a detailed report, plus leave comments in the document itself where relevant, providing the following:
- A detailed critique of the structure and organization of the entire work, including its suitability for the intended audience;
- A list of any major problems or concerns, including continuity, flow, and clarity, and elements of plot and characterization (for fiction);
- Suggestions for reorganizing, adding, deleting, and/or rewriting to better meet your stated goals for the project;
- Suggested areas to cut if the project is too long, or areas to expand if it is too short.
If I have already completed a structural edit on your manuscript, and now you'd like me to copy edit the revised version of the same work, please mention this when you contact me – you may be eligible for a discounted rate.
Payment and general information
I prefer to edit using "tracked changes" in Microsoft Word, working with .doc, .docx, or .rtf files, so you can see everything I've done. However, I also have experience with other software including Mac Pages and Scrivener – please ask if you'd rather use one of these. I cannot edit in LaTex at this time.
Half of the agreed price must be paid up front, and the balance will be due after I've returned your completed edit. All payments are via EFT or PayPal. (Please note you do not have to have a PayPal account yourself to use it as a payment method; PayPal accepts major credit cards.)
Want my help but not sure you can afford it?
Depending on what sort of edit you are looking for, how much and what kind of work your manuscript needs, and particularly if it's a long document, we may be able to negotiate a special, fixed price. Please feel free to ask!
Half of the agreed price must be paid up front, and the balance will be due after I've returned your completed edit. All payments are via EFT or PayPal. (Please note you do not have to have a PayPal account yourself to use it as a payment method; PayPal accepts major credit cards.)
Want my help but not sure you can afford it?
Depending on what sort of edit you are looking for, how much and what kind of work your manuscript needs, and particularly if it's a long document, we may be able to negotiate a special, fixed price. Please feel free to ask!