Chris has a keen eye for copyediting and proofreading, making catches that this experienced copyeditor and proofreader was aghast to have discovered by another.
-Mike Noon, Production Editor of 12 years
Copy Edit
Line Edit
Copy edits specifically address grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, usage, and continuity. I’ll use The Chicago Manual of Style as my style guide while also creating a style sheet for your manuscript. The style sheet helps ensure consistency among all elements of your story.
It’s easy to find differing definitions of what’s involved in a copy edit vs a line edit. I like to think of a copy edit as a technical edit, while a line edit is a stylistic edit. Here’s what’s involved when I copy edit your manuscript:
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax assessment
Marking continuity issues (character/location descriptions, word usage, unique terms, timeline)
Recommending fixes for any point of view problems
Applying formatting changes, such as scene breaks, to improve accuracy, consistency, and the flow of text
After I do one pass of the manuscript, you’ll get:
A fully edited manuscript with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature on
Marginal comments explaining the edits
A 5-10 page document of my editing notes with more detailed and ‘big picture’ explanations
A comprehensive style sheet for your story
A 30-minute call for any lingering questions or points you want to dig deeper on
To make the best use of our time together, this service is best used on manuscripts that are complete and have been through at least one round of revisions.
Copy edits begin at $0.023/word
While a copy edit focuses on the technical aspects of your manuscript, the line edit looks at style. Specifically, your linguistic style as a writer. Your voice. Your craft. Think of it like having a writing coach in the margins of your manuscript. These are the kinds of things a line edit analyzes:
Flow, word choice, paragraph structure
Redundancy, confusing or ambiguous phrasing, weak or unnatural dialogue
Jarring changes in pacing or tone
Put together, these elements of your writing contribute heavily to your ‘voice’. One of my specialties is finding linguistic cures to bulky paragraphs that fit seamlessly with an author’s style. After I do one pass of the manuscript, you’ll get:
A fully edited manuscript with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature on
Marginal comments explaining the edits
A 5-10 page document of my editing notes including thoughts on your stylistic strengths
Hour-long call for any lingering questions or points you want to dig deeper on
To make the best use of our time together, this service is best used on manuscripts that are complete and have been through at least one round of revisions.
Line edits begin at $0.03/word
Combination
Copy & Line Edit
If you feel a combination edit is right for you, reach out to me using the link below. I’ll summarize all of the above points, but let’s talk about your manuscript and what your goals are.
What I’m looking at:
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax assessment
Marking continuity issues (character/location descriptions, word usage, unique terms, timeline)
Recommending fixes for any point of view problems
Applying formatting changes, such as scene breaks, to improve accuracy, consistency, and the flow of text
Flow, word choice, paragraph structure
Redundancy, confusing or ambiguous phrasing, weak or unnatural dialogue
Jarring changes in pacing or tone
What you get:
A fully edited manuscript with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature on
Marginal comments explaining the edits
A 5-10 page document of my editing notes including thoughts on your stylistic strengths
Hour-long call for any lingering questions or points you want to dig deeper on
A fully edited manuscript with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature on
Marginal comments explaining the edits
A 5-10 page document of my editing notes with more detailed and ‘big picture’ explanations
A comprehensive style sheet for your story
To make the best use of our time together, this service is best used on manuscripts that are complete and have been through at least one round of revisions.
Combination edits are priced based on the manuscript.
About Me
I have a specialty focus in developmental editing and worldbuilding in the fantasy/sci-fi genres. I’ve worked as lead editor on many manuscripts in traditional publishing and now I’m looking to help more authors submit strong manuscripts and feel confident when self-publishing.
One thing I value in the editing process is my relationship with the author. Sharing a novel, whatever stage it’s at, puts the author in a vulnerable state. It’s important for your editor to be the person in your corner. It’s my primary focus to look for ways to strengthen your manuscript, make it the best it can be, but to also celebrate what you excel at already. I want you to leave our time together with a complete understanding of where your manuscript is engaging and fun and drawing people in and where it can be improved. I do this through margin comments, summary notes, editorial letters, emails, and live conversations.
My site guides you to the services I recommend based on where you are with your novel. If you’re uncertain what services you need, send me a message through the contact form or one of my socials. Hiring an editor should be a phenomenal experience. Let’s start a conversation, see if we’re a good fit, and forge your novel into something people will write home about!