Copyediting

Copyediting focuses on grammatical correctness, internal consistency, and removing textual barriers that distract readers from your story (and even in nonfiction, there is a story). 

Copyediting addresses the mechanics of your writing, checks for internal consistency, flags permissions issues, and corrects errors in grammar, syntax, usage, and diction. Copyediting does not strip your words of beauty, grit, or character.

For fiction and mainstream nonfiction, I use the Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.) and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.) because they are the industry standards. A style guide and a preferred dictionary set the ground rules for the copyedit, and I edit in line with those resources, while maintaining your authorial voice. When your copyedit is complete, you’ll receive the copyedited manuscript with tracked changes, along with a detailed style sheet that will list all stylistic decisions that apply to your manuscript, any exceptions to your preferred style guide and dictionary, and a character list and timeline.

Add-on services, such as post-copyedit cleanup (after you have reviewed the copyedits, responded to queries, etc.), are also available.