Line and copy-editing

What are line and copy-editing editing?
  • Line editing is about the rhythm of the sentences, sentence structure, and the effect of word choices.
  • Copy-editing is about correct punctuation, grammar, clarity, correctness, cohesion, consistency, and adhering to a style guide.

I provide these as a bundle; to me it’s one service. This is not the case for all editors or publishers.

When should I hire a copy-editor?
  • Have you sent your story to several beta readers and revised according to their feedback?
  • Has your story been developmentally edited and have all the plot twists been sorted out?

If the answer to both questions is yes, your story is probably ready for line and copy-editing.

If the answer to both questions is no, consider getting either a beta read or a manuscript critique before moving to a copy-edit.

Why? There’s no point fixing the grammar if there are huge plot holes that need to be worked out first.

Here's what you get:
  • Two rounds of editing.
  • In-text comments and edits using Track Changes within the manuscript to illustrate potential changes.
  • A style sheet showing all of the decisions made about capitalization, spelling, hyphenation etc.
  • A work plan with steps to help you revise.

What’s covered?
Detail-oriented topics, such as:
  • grammar,
  • punctuation,
  • spelling and hyphenation,
  • word choice,
  • ensure that the text adheres to a style guide, either The Chicago Manual of Style, or Oxford/New Hart’s Rules.

What’s not covered?
Big-picture issues or craft of writing issues, such as:
  • plot and structure,
  • head hopping,
  • point of view,
  • narration,
  • character development (arcs, motivation, and descriptions),
  • ineffective dialogue,
  • info-dumping,
  • showing and telling,
  • setting and description.

Here’s what I do:
  • First, I check the manuscript for decisions about capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, names, dates, places etc.
  • I create a style sheet to refer to these decisions as I edit. (This helps me make sure that Mary isn’t ever Marry.)
  • Next, I edit the manuscript word-by-word. I ensure that dialogue always has start and end quote marks, I make sure that words are used correctly, I put commas in where needed for clarity.
  • As I edit, I write queries (the fancy publishing word for questions) for you, the author.
  • Once I’m finished, I send the edited manuscript and the list of questions to the author.
  • The author revises the manuscript by accepting or rejecting my suggestions using Track Changes, answers the questions, asks their own questions, and sends it back to me.
  • I clean up the document, making sure that all changes have integrated into the document, all the queries are answered, and the formatting is correct.
  • Finally, I send back a manuscript that is ready to be uploaded to publishing software, either InDesign or IngramSpark or Vellum.