Copyediting

I generally follow the Chicago Manual of Style for copyediting; yet I’m willing to work with other house styles. Copyediting includes the following:

• Correcting mechanics errors (capitalization, punctuation, misspelled words)
• Correcting usage errors (examples: which or that; lie or lay; they’re, their, or there)
• Correcting grammar errors (examples: incorrect or inconsistent verb tense, problems with subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement)
• Noting inconsistencies with elements such as abbreviations, style of numbers (example: 47 and forty-seven), and time of day (example: 3:00 p.m. and 3 o’clock)

Rate: 2.5–3.5 cents per word, depending on manuscript length

Minimum charge: $34

Line Editing

The goal of line editing is to suggest changes that will improve clarity and make the writing more dynamic. (Keep in mind that you can accept or reject any of my suggested changes.) Elements that might be marked include the following:

• Use of a cliché
• Unclear meaning
• Weak or no transition
• Text that doesn’t flow
• Improved word choice
• Lack of sentence variety
• Unnecessarily wordy text
• Lack of parallel construction
• Dialogue that needs tightening
• Dialogue that doesn’t sound natural
• Concept that needs further explanation

Rate: 4–4.5 cents per word, depending on manuscript length

Minimum charge: $40

Fees and Rates

A per-hour or per-project rate can be discussed.

Fees are based on the word count prior to editing.

Rates for rush projects (48-hour turnaround or less) are slightly higher.