Copyediting

Meticulous editing to nourish your fiction.

What is copyediting?

Copyediting provides the finishing touches to your manuscript. A good copyeditor will correct your punctuation, grammar, and spelling while improving readability, clarity, and style.

While line editing takes an artistic approach to fiction, copyediting focuses more on accuracy and making your fiction content easy to read. It’s all about correcting mistakes and smoothing distracting inconsistencies, such as tense shifts and different capitalisation styles.

Bear in mind that there is some crossover between the two services as copyediting can be a part of line editing. (My line editing service includes a full copyedit.)

Why is copyediting important?

Copyediting fixes errors like misspelt names, misused words, and inconsistent arguments – all those little things that need polishing to ensure a professional finish. 

Therefore, copyediting is pivotal to getting your book published and building a strong author reputation.

What’s more, a good copyeditor will enrich your content with clear language, grammar, and punctuation that ensure easy reading.

Who needs copyediting?

If your fiction project is almost ready for publication, you’re ready for a copyedit.

Whether your project is a full-length novel manuscript or a short story, copyediting will get your writing into shape.

How will you receive your edits?

I’ll make your edits in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, using Track Changes and the comments feature to provide an in-depth markup.

You’ll also receive a style sheet (based on New Hart’s Rules, unless you prefer an alternative style).

Can't I just get a friend to edit my work?

Getting a fresh pair of eyes from a trusted colleague or friend is a good idea. But you should ask these people to share their thoughts before you hire a copyeditor.

Unless this person has their own editing experience and qualifications, they won’t be able to help your fiction reach its potential.

Why?

Because copyediting isn’t just ‘tidying a few commas’. A copyeditor is your partner in publication. The person who questions your angle, helps you voice your message, and makes sure you target the right readers. A copyeditor will remain meticulous and technical while helping you convey your all-important message. 

It takes qualifications and experience to do this well, so please don’t just ask your friends to give your fiction project a once over. It’s not enough.

What does copyediting cost?

My rate is £25.00 per hour, which comes in below the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading’s recommended hourly rate for qualified editors.

I can draw up a quote of the number of hours I will need to edit your project upon completing a 500-word sample, which you won’t pay for if you don’t move forward with me as your editor. 

This way, I know how long I need to edit your content and you know whether you like my editing style.

What will your copyedit address?

Sound good?

Get in touch to find out how I can help with your fiction project.