Once your book is written, and you feel that you've taken it as far as you can, it's time to find a copy editor. My job as a copy editor is to help you finesse the written word so that your work is clear, organized, readable, understandable, and free of any errors including spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I will correct mistakes and offer suggestions to help with the clarity, organization, readability, and understandability as necessary.
We will have a contract to clarify roles and responsibilities and protect all parties.
I charge $35 per hour for my copy editing services. You will receive a half hour per week of phone consultation regarding your manuscript, if needed. If more time is required, the $35 fee applies.
A deposit of 50% of the estimated cost, (based on the length of your manuscript times $6 per 250-word page), is due at the beginning of the project, and the remainder is due upon manuscript completion. This initial amount is only an estimate. Your final cost will be based on the number of hours it takes to complete your manuscript. Long works may be broken into three payments. Ten percent (nonrefundable) is due if you wish to hold a future date. Payment can be made by check or Venmo.
Manuscripts should be submitted in twelve-point font. Times New Roman, Courier, or Calibri preferred. Double space and use one-inch margins top, bottom, and sides.
Please submit your project in Microsoft Word. I will copy edit in Track Changes.
I will give you an estimate of the return date based on the length of the manuscript.
I will check for:
- Spelling (Merriam Webster)
- Consistency of style (Chicago Manual of Style or publishing house style)
- Accuracy of time line
- Verb tenses
- Subject – verb compatibility
- Dangling modifiers
- Grammar and punctuation
- Overuse of passive voice
- Sentence structure
- Paragraph structure
- Accuracy of proper nouns (names, places, etc.)
- Accuracy of dates of historical events
- Readability
- Omissions
- Word repetitions