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Copyediting

This page will provide you with everything you need to know about the copyediting service.

WHAT IS COPYEDITING?

This service is best for writers who are confident that their content is sound and need help with the writing at paragraph and sentence level.

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Copyediting tightens up the text and makes it flow smoothly. It fixes all the little bumps that can take a reader out of the book. It considers:

  • Word choice

  • Intended meaning

  • Clarity

  • Repetition

  • Redundancy

  • Consistency

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As part of copyediting, I will also fix mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, ensure consistency in hyphenation and capitalization, and check the formatting is standard.

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Line edits, corrections, and comments will be made to the manuscript in Track Changes, and I will provide a style sheet concerning all style decisions implemented throughout the manuscript.

 

Further changes by the author to the manuscript should be made carefully and with reference to the style sheet so as not to introduce new errors and inconsistencies.

WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DO YOU NEED?

When you first get in touch, please send me a sample of the work and tell me the book’s word count, category, and intended audience. It’s also useful to know a bit about your writing background, and your goals for the book: for instance, are you aiming to be traditionally published or are you more interested in self-publishing?

 

Before getting to work, I will need to look at the complete manuscript and discuss with you your areas of concern and the particular issues I would address.

CAN WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP SESSION AFTERWARDS?

If desired, we can have a follow-up call to discuss any clarifying questions. My mini consultation service is also available for clients who want further advice and encouragement while they are rewriting and editing the manuscript.

HOW MUCH DOES THE COPYEDITING SERVICE COST?

Copy editing and line editing starts at $15 per 1,000 words.

 

I will confirm the fee per 1,000 words before the work begins. The more corrections are needed, the slower the work goes, so text that requires heavy editing will attract a higher fee.

 

Fees will also increase if the deadline is short, or if the scope of the work ‘creeps’ after the project begins, per my terms and conditions.

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​I usually ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit up front to secure the booking, and the balance on delivery of the corrected manuscript, so the fee is divided into two.

HOW LONG WILL THE COPYEDITING SERVICE TAKE?

This depends on the length of the book, the condition of the writing, and how much other work I have on at the time.

I will estimate the time to turn the project around at the enquiry stage and confirm a delivery date before beginning the work.

HOW TO BOOK THE COPYEDITING SERVICE.

There are two ways:

 

You can fill out the Contact Form and select Copyedit. Or you can email me and put ‘Copyedit Booking’ in the subject line.

 

Either way, please tell me a bit about the book, including its category and word count.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

You’re welcome to fill out the Contact Form with any further questions.

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