Line & Copyediting
Line editing and copyediting focus on clarity and consistency, helping your writing flow.
What are line editing and copyediting?
Ask this question to five different editors, and you might get five different answers. Here’s what they mean to me:
- Line editing focuses on language and style. It’s the bit that smooths and sharpens your writing, making sure it’s clear and consistent.
- Copyediting focuses on mechanics. It attends to the nuts and bolts of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
They come before proofreading, which is the final step in the editing process.
How do you know which one you need?
That depends on where you are in your writing process, what your goals are, and what your budget can handle.
There’s one big thing to remember, though: line editing and copyediting come after a developmental edit and revisions to address any big-picture issues. Only once you’re happy with your document or manuscript should you get a line edit or copyedit done.
If you do it the other way around, then you risk completely ditching whole sections of previously edited text during a rewrite. And then you’d need another edit to review what you rewrote or added!
Can you do them together as one service?
Yes! I offer a combined line edit and copyedit service. That way you get the whole shebang—an edit that focuses on clarity, consistency, and mechanics.
Can you focus on just grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
No problem! My copyedit-only service might be right for you.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the job’s complexity, the document or manuscript word count, and your timeframe for completion.
I’ll provide you with a custom quote after we discuss your project and I review a sample of the writing. You’ll always know up front what your project cost will be.
Discounted rates are available for nonprofits.
Combined Line and Copyedit Package
For authors or organizations who’d like a more intensive look at their document or manuscript. This edit focuses on language, style, and mechanics.
For this type of edit, I will:
- Ensure consistency in spelling, punctuation, hyphenation, and capitalization
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax
- Smooth awkward, unclear, or repetitive phrasing
- Ensure correct styling and punctuation of any dialogue
- Highlight unintended inconsistencies in character traits
- Highlight unintended head-hopping and shifts in point of view
- Provide feedback on language that may be unintentionally harmful, problematic, or stereotypical
- Ensure consistency in document formatting using Word’s styles palette
After I’m done, you’ll receive:
- A detailed editorial report for fiction and longer-form nonfiction (e.g., for book-length manuscripts, longer white papers, or reports). For shorter-form nonfiction (e.g., blog posts or other website text), you’ll receive a short, one-page letter or email to complement feedback left in the document.
- A style sheet, if you didn’t provide one, detailing stylistic conventions applied to your document or manuscript, as well a listing of characters, places, and terms (as applicable). You can provide this to your future proofreader.
- An edited file with all edits and comments visible in Track Changes
Copyedit-Only Package
For authors or organizations who’d like only small tweaks to their document or manuscript to polish grammar and style.
For this type of edit, I will:
- Ensure consistency in spelling, punctuation, hyphenation, and capitalization
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation
- Ensure correct styling and punctuation of any dialogue
- Provide feedback on language that may be unintentionally harmful, problematic, or stereotypical
- Ensure consistency in document formatting using Word’s styles palette.
After I’m done, you’ll receive:
- A style sheet, if you didn’t provide one, detailing stylistic conventions applied to your document of manuscript, as well a listing of characters, places, and terms (as applicable). You can provide this to your future proofreader.
- An edited file with all edits and comments visible in Track Changes
Ready To Start Your Adventure?
It’s Easier Than You Think.
Send Me A Message.
Fill out the form to get in touch.
Give Me The Lowdown On Your Project.
We’ll schedule a time to chat, get to know one another, and delve into the details of your project.
Start The Adventure!
If we agree we’re a good fit, I’ll send you a custom agreement to get your project on the books!