Editing

Whether you want to inform and engage your readers through a report or move and engross them through a novel, I can provide diplomatic, concrete suggestions about how best to structure your ideas and writing. I can also make sure that your modifiers are not dangling, that your heroine's eyes do not suddenly switch from brown to blue, and that your executive vice-president does not become an Executive Vice President on the very next page.

I provide a range of editorial services, outlined below. My rates vary according to the complexity of the work in question: I'm happy to provide quotes. 

Manuscript Evaluation

This involves a thorough assessment of a non-fiction or fiction work. After considering and analyzing your text, I'll present you with a detailed letter outlining which elements are most effective and highlighting areas that could be strengthened, more fully elaborated, or reconsidered. I won't make changes to the text itself; instead, you'll be in a position to make informed decisions about the future shape of your manuscript based on the feedback I've provided.

Substantive or Structural Editing

In the case of a substantive edit, I consider the structure and content of your text and, after close consultation with you, implement any changes that will enhance its internal logic and overall effectiveness. With non-fiction works, for example, I might reorganize the elements of an argument or shift its tone and style to anticipate the questions or concerns of your readers. With fiction, I focus on such aspects as character and plot development, tense, point of view, tone, and style, ensuring that your vision remains consistent and compelling throughout. This process frequently involves some degree of stylistic editing.

Stylistic Editing

My aim in stylistic editing is not to "improve" your writing, but to verify that it reflects your goals and is appropriate for your intended audience. I concentrate on such elements as sentence and paragraph structure, word choice, tone, transitions, and rhythm. Stylistic editing is generally done at the same time as substantive/structural or copy editing.

Copy Editing

During a copy edit, I check your document for errors related to grammar, spelling, and punctuation and make sure the text is clear, consistent, and correct. When working with non-fiction, I watch for the uniform treatment of captions, tables, and figures; check your citations and heading levels; and do a certain amount of fact-checking on request. When dealing with fiction, I'm always on the lookout for continuity issues, making sure that details of plot and character remain consistent. 

Proofreading

This is the last stage of the editing process and involves reviewing material that's already been typeset or formatted in preparation for publication. During this stage, I ensure changes introduced in earlier editing phases have been made, keep an eye out for errors that might have been missed, and flag any layout or design issues. Proofreading and copy editing are terms frequently used interchangeably, but they refer to two different processes: if you're looking to have a manuscript checked for clarity, consistency, and correctness, and it hasn't already been typeset or formatted, you're likely on the hunt for a copy editor.