Where the Magic Happens

Editing Help for Multiple Formats

Whether you are writing books, articles, speeches, webpages, blog posts, newsletters, or something else, I can help you with all your content editing, copy editing, or proofreading needs.

How often have you read a book only to find spelling and grammatical errors? Whatever you write, an editor is an invaluable member of your publishing team.

Editorial Assessment

An editorial assessment is perfect for authors who want a comprehensive manuscript overview before editing starts. This service offers feedback on flow, pacing, what’s working, what isn’t working, areas of excellence, areas for improvement, and an overall review of your book from a reader’s perspective. I will not directly edit your manuscript in this service.

Pricing begins at 1.1¢/word (10% discount for S.P.S. students).

Content Editing

What is content editing?

Content editing occurs when I provide feedback to help you advance your manuscript to a publishable standard. Content editing is focused on structural elements, readability, and other essential aspects such as character development and plot inconsistencies (for fiction).

What does a content editor do?

Content editing is usually the first time a book has received formal feedback and will often result in some rewriting. This means that during the publishing process, content editing focuses on correcting many aspects of the book and can take some time, as the writer and editor work closely to improve the book and aim for an error-free manuscript. The editor and author often work together through two rounds of edits, during which the author can do some rewriting, and then the editor can edit for a second time.

You may have heard of developmental, substantive, structural, story, or comprehensive editing. However, these are all alternative names for content editing.

My content editing service includes:

  • ✒️suggestions, as necessary, on how to streamline the presentation of information at the chapter and paragraph level  
  • ✒️suggestions, as necessary, for tighter phrasing and clearer sentence structure at the sentence level 
  • ✒️fact-checking, quote-checking, and URL-function checking
  • ✒️noting inconsistencies in character development and plot for fiction
  • ✒️ensuring that your voice comes through in your writing

My content editing also incorporates a full copy edit, which includes:

  • ✒️fixing punctuation, spelling, and grammatical errors 
  • ✒️correcting typographical errors and word use inconsistencies  
  • ✒️assuring accurate verb usage 
  • ✒️flagging overused or omitted words
  • ✒️noting redundant words or phrases    
  • ✒️rectifying the spelling of names and places

Pricing begins at 4.1¢/word for two rounds of edits.                             (10% discount for Self Publishing School [S.P.S.] students)

Pricing for one round of edits begins at 3.2¢/word.                                (10% discount for Self Publishing School [S.P.S.] students)

Copy Editing

What is copy editing?

Copy editing occurs after content editing but before proofreading. The purpose of copy editing is to polish the manuscript through formatting, style, and text accuracy so that it is clear and cohesive while maintaining the author’s voice and meaning. Copy is defined as the “matter to be printed,” and a copy editor is responsible for this polishing step. Unlike content editing, copy editing does not involve changing the substance of the text.

What does a copy editor do?

As a copy editor, I comb through a written work to identify and correct: 

  • ✒️grammar
  • ✒️spelling
  • ✒️punctuation
  • ✒️overused or omitted words and redundant words or phrases
  • ✒️verb usage for accuracy
  • ✒️poor word choice
  • ✒️awkward syntax
  • ✒️uneven flow

After undergoing a copy edit, the copy should be a unified, readable piece that adheres to the tone and style guidelines of the publication entity.

Pricing begins at 2.9¢/word (10% discount for S.P.S. students)

Proofreading

What is proofreading?

Proofreading is the last step in the editorial process to correct any errors that might have been missed during the content and copy editing steps before your manuscript is published. 

What does a proofreader do?

A proofreader makes sure the manuscript is free of errors. Unlike copy editing, there is no rewriting or revising involved. A proofreader ensures the content is free of typographical, grammatical, spelling, punctuation, syntax, formatting, and other similar errors.

As a proofreader, I am the person who notices the extra space after a period, the use of “their” when it should be “they’re,” the correct placement of apostrophes showing possession, etcetera.

Pricing begins at 1.7¢/word (10% discount for S.P.S. students)

After agreeing that we’re a good fit, you will send me your manuscript as an MS Word document, and I will use track changes for editing. This tool allows you to see the changes or suggestions I made to your text and allows you the option of accepting or rejecting those changes. I’ll also insert comments explaining my logic for suggestions or changes when necessary.

Please allow two to three weeks for content and copy editing and one to two weeks for proofreading. 

Let me know if you need a rush job, and we’ll work something out; additional fees may apply.

Contact me to discuss your project.