The goal of The Copyedit is to ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, consistent, and correct both grammatically and stylistically. As your copyeditor, I promise to do this while maintaining your unique voice so that you may convey your story to your readers just as you have always dreamed.
I will read your draft in Microsoft Word and use Track Changes to make corrections, changes, and queries in the manuscript.
Issues I will address in The Copyedit include capitalization, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, hyphenation, grammar, usage, and syntax. If you would like for me to copyedit a nonfiction article or manuscript, I will also address treatment of numbers, figures, and references.
There are three levels of copyediting: light, medium, and heavy. Each level of copyediting includes different levels of intervention. After I conduct my sample edit, I will give you my recommendation on which level would benefit your manuscript most as well as an example of what that will entail.
The Copyedit includes a custom Style Sheet for your project, which lists particular The Chicago Manual of Style rules, style choices, proper nouns, and more. When I deliver the final product to you, I will include a cover letter highlighting any important notes or style choices within the manuscript.
As mentioned above, I will use The Chicago Manual of Style as my default style guide unless you would prefer I use another.
How It Works
When you reach out to me, I will send you a client welcome packet and questionnaire where you can share the first 1500 words of your manuscript.
Once you have submitted the questionnaire and I have had a chance to review it and perform a sample edit on the first 1500 words, I will send you a recommendation for the level of editing your manuscript will need as well as a quote for said service.
If the quote is agreeable, you will sign and return it to me along with your full manuscript saved as a Word document. A 50% nonrefundable deposit is due at time of booking.
Once I receive it, I will comb through your manuscript for capitalization, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, hyphenation, grammar, usage, and syntax. While I read and perform my edits, I will track everything via a Style Sheet. If I have any pressing questions about the subject material, I will reach out to you via email during this stage.
When I have completed my edits, I will return the manuscript to you marked up with Track Changes in Word. Please respond to all queries within Word and approve or reject any changes I have made. A progress payment of 25% is due at this time.
You will return the manuscript to me with your answers, feedback, and changes. I will then perform a final edit of the manuscript.
I will send you an email and an invoice once I complete the final edits on your manuscript. Final payment is due prior to any final documents being sent. Once I have received your payment, I will send you:
The manuscript in two formats: one with changes still showing in Track Changes and comments and queries in the margins and one with all changes accepted and comments and queries in the margins.
A customized Style Sheet that contains: CMOS rules, exceptions to CMOS rules, style choices, proper nouns, and more. The Style Sheet will be an invaluable reference point for you as you go through my edits and for any future editors who collaborate with you on your manuscript.
A Cover Letter detailing the changes made to your manuscript with in-depth explanations and suggestions.
Pricing
Pricing is dependent on the level of copyediting that your manuscript needs. I will let you know the recommended level of editing after I receive your questionnaire response and 1500 word sample. My rates start at $0.026 per word.
If you have questions about pricing, please refer to my FAQs.
