Editing Services
The editing services I provide fall into three categories: proofreading, copyediting, and substantive editing and rewriting.
If words were wood and the finished product a chair, substantive editing would fit leg to side rail, arm to back, tenon to mortice; copyediting would strengthen loose joints and set plugs; and proofreading would give the final sanding and lacquer.
If you are a writer whose fiction manuscript needs to be edited — not proofread — I would like to look at a sample chapter before accepting the project. The manuscript may need more work than simple editing, in which case you should contact a book doctor. I don’t offer fiction manuscript critique services at this time.
Proofreading — comparing a document against an original to verify accuracy, as in legal proofreading; or checking typeset pages against copyedited pages to ensure all changes were made; or reading typeset pages a final time for typographical errors such as a missing quotation mark or an instance of amd where and should be
Copyediting — checking for grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and conformance to style guidelines; and at client request editing sentences to remove passive voice, ambiguous references, awkward transitions, and wordiness
Substantive editing and rewriting — rearranging and rewriting paragraphs as necessary to improve clarity and flow of ideas; and editing sentences to remove passive voice, ambiguous references, awkward transitions, and wordiness
A more complete — but not exhaustive! — listing with examples of what I look for when I’m proofreading or editing is on the What Errors? page.
The Editors’ Association of Canada / Association canadienne des réviseurs has posted an excellent breakdown of the tasks involved and knowledge required for editing services on their Web site at www.editors.ca/hire/definitions.html.
Please note that what I call “substantive editing and rewriting” the EAC-ACR calls “structural and stylistic editing.” They also leave “copy editing” open while I prefer it as one word — an example of differing styles. Which one is correct? The one that follows the style guide for your manuscript.