What kind of editing does my project need?

The type of editing you need depends on a few factors, such as which stage of the writing process your project is at (is it an early draft, or is it close to being in its final form?), the requirements and standards the finished product must meet, and whether it was edited previously.

I'm glad to chat with you about your project and advise you on which type of editing is right for your project.

Editing terminology varies somewhat among different editors and editing associations. I use the editing skills definitions established by Editors Canada, the main points of which are described below. 

Note: I can edit in either Canadian or American English.

Types of Editing

Stylistic (Line) Editing: Clarity and finesse

Stylistic editing occurs at the sentence level. It focuses on polishing your prose and eliminating awkward phrasing that readers might find distracting or confusing. I will:

  • Correct grammar and usage (word choice) errors
  • Rephrase and reorder sentences to improve clarity when necessary
  • Eliminate jargon, wordiness, and redundancies that can bog down prose
  • Smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs so they progress logically
  • Ensure that the tone and reading level are appropriate for the intended audience

Although stylistic editing involves rephrasing, I make every effort to preserve your authorial voice.

Copy Editing: Details, details, details

Copy editing is the most technical of the editing processes. It focuses on making sure that the document is consistent, correct, and adheres to the specified style guidelines. I will: 

  • Correct grammatical and usage (word choice) errors
  • Ensure that the mechanics of style (such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and the use of numbers and symbols) are applied in accordance with the specified editorial style, and that they are applied consistently throughout the document
  • Query possible errors in accuracy and internal inconsistencies in facts
  • Note missing elements such as figures, tables, and captions 
  • Confirm that reference markers match up with the corresponding foot/end notes
  • Flag potential copyright issues

You will receive a style sheet that lists anything for which I made an editorial decision (such as whether or not to hyphenate a particular word, which spelling variant to use, and whether to spell out numbers or use numerals). A style sheet will help you (and any other authors or editors who work on the document) maintain consistency.

For fiction manuscripts, I also provide a style sheet of character names and traits, and a timeline of the major events that take place in the story.

Editorial Proofreading (Cold Reading): Just one more thing . . . 

Editorial proofreading, or cold reading, is what most people outside of the publishing industry think of as proofreading. The document has already been copy edited, formatted, and imported to its final medium (such as a publishing program or a web page). Cold reading is the very last quality control step before printing the document or making it public. I will:

  • Correct minor mechanical errors that were missed during copy editing (such as spelling or capitalization mistakes) 
  • Correct egregious grammatical errors
  • Correct deviations from the editorial style
  • Note minor design/formatting flaws that may have been introduced inadvertently when the document was imported to its final medium (such as incorrect pagination, extra spaces, misplaced page breaks) 

Note: It is best practice to have an editor who has not previously worked on the project do the proofreading. A completely fresh pair of eyes is critical to catching minor flaws and errors.

Manuscript Critique (Book-Length Fiction): What's the Story?

A manuscript critique focuses on the “big picture” elements of your manuscript, such as:

  • Plot structure
  • Conflict/tension
  • Character development
  • Dialogue
  • Setting
  • Point of view
  • Voice and style
  • Suitability for the intended audience/market
  • Tendencies toward particular grammatical errors or other writing infelicities

You will receive an editorial letter in which I address the book's strengths and weaknesses and offer concrete suggestions for revision. For an additional fee I will insert comments in the margins of your manuscript to point out specific examples of the observations and recommendations I make in the critique. 

The cost of a manuscript critique depends on the length of the manuscript and the desired scope of the critique. We can negotiate the fee according to the length of the editorial letter, how many storytelling elements you would like me to address, and if and how extensively you would like me to comment in the manuscript margins.