Achieve peace of mind through mindful editing

How much editing do you need?

There are several levels of editing, with some overlap between the levels. Does your manuscript need a thorough revision, or simply a quick proofreading? These brief definitions will help you decide how much editing help you want.

Substantive editing: the big picture

Substantive editing looks at the overall "shape" and content of the piece to see that the information is complete, that the writing flows in a logical and meaningful way, and that the style and voice fit the subject. When doing substantive editing, I work with the writer to make sure the document is not only correct and consistent, but also appropriate for its readers.

Copyediting: smoothing and polishing

Copyediting is concerned with the accuracy and mechanics of the document. I create a style sheet to assure internal consistency. Then I correct errors in grammar and syntax, polish and trim the phrasing, and fact-check if necessary.

Proofreading: the final fine tuning

Proofreading is a final once-over to check for spelling, punctuation, and typographical errors - those small things that can make a big difference. We've all seen examples of sentences with an unintended (and sometimes embarrassing) meaning, simply because of a misspelled word or a misplaced punctuation mark. I'll make sure that doesn't happen to you.