Services
I provide a variety of services, from light proofreading, to thorough manuscript evaluations. Services and their descriptions are listed below. If you are unsure what type of edit you need, contact me and we can find out together. I can customize each package to meet the needs of your project.
I'm happy to provide complimentary sample edits of 2-3 pages of your document. In fact, I prefer it! It's a great way for authors to preview my work and feel confident in what they are paying for.
If you would like to book, please contact me here. I respond to booking inquiries within 48 hours.
Developmental Edit
Also known as content editing, is the big-picture edit. If you have a completed manuscript and are looking for a place to begin the editorial process, I recommend beginning with a developmental edit. This is a deep dive. I will read through the manuscript and construct an in-depth, comprehensive developmental editorial letter. This letter will offer several pages of feedback and suggestions for your consideration, all of which will remain true to your style. In the letter, I will address such elements as character development, plot, pace, structure, style issues, factual inconsistencies, voice, and tone. A developmental edit involves ongoing dialogue between writer and editor. Developmental editing does not include line editing, which is a step that typically comes after the big-picture edit.
Manuscript Review/Evaluation
This service is best suited for a complete, or near-complete, manuscript. It is a lighter version of a developmental edit that provides a broader report. It is a one time event so there is no ongoing dialogue between writer and editor. Simply a brief conversation upon completion of the edit. I will provide an editorial report, as well as comments and queries in the margins throughout the document.
Line Edit
This is a review on a scene or chapter level. I will provide margin comments and queries throughout the document that address such elements as word choice, voice, plot points, and transitions. The purpose of a line edit is to smooth, reorganize, tighten, trim, or suggest rewrites of sentences or paragraphs to improve readability and flow. It includes light proofreading.
Copyedit
Once you have a revised manuscript, a copy edit is the next step. A copy edit is a sentence-level edit in which I will correct lapses in grammar, syntax, usage, and adherence to style. Mechanical edits include:
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Spelling
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Hyphenation
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Capitalization
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Punctuation
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Treatment of numbers and numerals
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Treatments of quotations
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Use of abbreviations and acronyms
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Use of italics and bold type
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Treatment of special elements (headings, lists, tables, charts, and graphs)
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Format of footnotes or endnotes and other documentation
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Fact-checking by request
I make these edits with track changes and queries in the margins. I will learn your style preferences and prepare a customized style sheet for your project in order to ensure consistency to your style decisions.
There are three levels of copyediting: light, medium, and heavy. If you'd like, I can review a sample of your work to determine which level is appropriate.
Proofread
While copyediting works with content in its predesigned form, proofreading is the last and lightest level of editing, and only occurs after all larger edits have been completed and content has been designed for the page. The proofreader is the last set of eyes on a piece before publication. You can think of a proofreader like the goalie on the team of editors; the last line of defense to catch any errors. In a proofread, I will look for errors in text and design elements that have been overlooked. I will reference and update the style sheet for the project and pose minimal queries. I can proofread digitally or mark-up hard copy.