Copyediting

The Process...

◈ Language Mechanics & Grammar

Correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors
Fixing sentence structure and syntax issues
Ensuring correct word usage and verb tenses
Standardizing capitalization, hyphenation, and abbreviations
Flagging ambiguous or incorrect statements for author review

◈ Consistency & Style

Ensuring internal consistency (character names, timelines, formatting, etc.)
Applying consistent style in accordance with Chicago Manual of Style
Maintaining consistent use of tone and language appropriate to the genre
Addressing inconsistent usage of terms, spellings, or formatting
Enforcing stylistic conventions (italicization, quotation marks, ellipses, etc.)

◈ Clarity & Readability

Making minor revisions for clarity without altering author’s voice
Eliminating redundancy or overly wordy phrasing
Smoothing transitions where needed without restructuring
Querying unclear or awkward phrasing for author to revise

◈ Accuracy & Fact-Checking

Verifying factual consistency within the text
Flagging potential factual errors or inconsistencies
Checking basic information such as dates, names, or commonly known references

◈ Final Preparation for Proofreading

Preparing manuscript for final-stage proofreading
Identifying lingering issues that may require author or editor input
Ensuring the manuscript is clean, consistent, and professionally presented

Service Includes...

◈ Editorial Report

Comprehensive editorial report (3-5) pages summarizing error patterns and consistency issues
Analysis of recurring style and clarity issues addressed throughout the manuscript
Recommendations for maintaining established editorial choices and terminology
Overview of fact-checking corrections and verification performed

◈ Editorial Deliverables

Edited manuscript with track changes and corrections clearly marked
Comprehensive style sheet documenting all editorial decisions and consistency choices
Query list addressing author questions about ambiguous passages or factual verification needs
Grammar and style reference guide tailored to patterns identified in the manuscript

◈ Additional Services

Professional blurb and synopsis editing to enhance marketability
Email support for clarification questions during the revision process
Post-delivery follow-up support for questions within two months of the edit

Still unsure about copyediting?

Copyediting is best for manuscripts that have polished prose and solid structure but need final technical refinement for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency issues before publication.

This editing stage is ideal for authors whose stories and sentence-level writing are already strong, focusing instead on correcting mechanical errors, ensuring consistent formatting, verifying factual accuracy, and catching overlooked typos or grammatical mistakes.

Copyediting proves essential for all genres as the final quality control step, particularly valuable for self-publishing authors who need professional-level accuracy and traditionally published authors preparing final drafts for submission.

It's perfect for writers who are confident in their storytelling and prose style but want to ensure their manuscript meets industry standards for technical precision, consistency in style choices (like hyphenation, capitalization, and number formatting), and error-free presentation that won't distract readers or editors from the content itself.

I've written an in-depth blog post about copyediting that you can read here.

Book Your Copyedit

Please fill out the following form with details about your project and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. To determine if I am the right editor for you, a complimentary editing sample will be provided once we discuss your project. Your work will never be shared with anyone. If you have any questions before submitting a form, see if my FAQ or blog can help you out!