“The credibility of the work depends on copy editors.”

BILL KOVACH

Copyediting is all about the mechanics of writing. This edit gets your manuscript ready for publishing and should be performed once you’ve addressed all developmental issues. As opposed to developmental editing which looks at the “big picture” of your manuscript, copyediting focuses on minor issues in writing, sentence structure, grammar, and facts.

A successful copyedit will provide a professional and polished manuscript that follows style-guide conventions, grammar rules, proper punctuation, and is easily readable. A copyeditor’s work is best when it is unnoticeable to the reader.

When you hire me to copyedit your work, I will become both your first reader and your final safeguard. I will approach your text from the readers’ point of view and act as quality control for your writing.

My process involves:

• ensuring that grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct
• applying style guides
• eliminating jargon, clichés, and convoluted references or quotes
• checking for copyright or libel
• light fact-checking
• correcting sentence structure
• confirming clarity and continuity
• ensuring that any images, figures, charts, and graphics have accurate and relevant information
• highlighting any missed development or conscious language issues

When my copyedits are completed, you should have a manuscript that is ready for the final proofread and publishing.

FEES: $0.03 per word, $300 minimum