My Quest: Services
Overview
There are actually four levels of editing that a manuscript needs on its journey to publication. While definitions will vary slightly and some of the levels may be combined or overlapped in various ways, generally a completed manuscript will first need content editing (also known as substantive or developmental editing), line editing, copyediting, and finally proofreading. Only then is it ready for publication.
Once you have a completely written draft, a content edit strengthens the structure and major elements of your story. After the story itself is settled, a line edit polishes its expression in every sentence and paragraph. When the structure and lines of your work artistically shine, a copyedit takes care of any grammatical issues impeding its brilliance. Finally, once your work is formatted into a file for publication, a proofread prevents typos from popping out.
As you can see, a manuscript and its author make quite the journey on their quest to publication! But never fear—your editor is here to offer support at each stage. In fact, you can think of me as playing different roles in your quest at different editing levels.
When I join your quest as a line editor, you can imagine me as your butler working to make everything smooth, comfortable, and pretty.
In my copyediting role, think of me as your scout searching through every word and sentence to ensure everything is grammatically safe.
Proofreading is analogous to having me double-check the records of our journey to ascertain everything is in proper order to be released to the public.
If you’re not sure which level of editing you need, contact me, and we’ll figure it out together!
In a line edit, I help refine the work’s artistic voice and method of storytelling as I focus on making sure the work is written well. During a line edit, I consider how each sentence and line can most effectively communicate the message. This stage of editing comes after content editing and all big-picture elements such as structure, theme, plot, and character development have been settled.
Line editing:
- Strengthens word choice and tone
- Suggests revisions for wordy, repetitive, confusing, and / or awkward phrasing
- Maintains consistency of internal details
- Suggests revisions to show action instead of telling about it
- Improves paragraph breaks
- Suggests revisions to chapter titles
- Ensures correct point of view
- Removes unneeded dialogue tags (he said, she said) and, as needed, inserts action beats (“Yikes.” Stan grimaced.)
- Suggests revisions for consistency within characters’ diction
Price: $0.02 to $0.03 per word
Copyediting deals with the technical mechanics of your writing to ensure grammatical correctness. In a copyedit, I study each line and word of your manuscript to enhance your professional and clear communication. Copyediting comes after content editing and all big-picture elements such as structure, theme, plot, and character development have been settled; copyediting best follows line editing, but sometimes the two can be done in tandem.
A copyedit:
- Corrects mechanics
- Punctuation—right marks to separate words, phrases, and sentences
- Usage—right word for the context
- Spelling—right letters in the right order
- Syntax—right word form and order
- Capitalization—right letter case
- Maintains internal continuity
- Highlights factual inaccuracies
- Assists with source citations
- Notes possible copyright issues
Price: $0.02 to $0.03 per word
Proofreading is the last review of your edited and formatted work before its release and makes sure it’s ready to be published. Since content, style, and grammar issues have already been addressed, proofreading focuses on catching and correcting typographical errors, thus ensuring consistency and accuracy and creating a professional appearance.
A proofread:
- Catches typos
- Enforces consistent formatting
- Watches for persisting major continuity issues
- Monitors for remaining egregious grammatical issues
- Punctuation—right marks to separate words, phrases, and sentences
- Usage—right word for the context
- Spelling—right letters in the right order
- Syntax—right word form and order
- Capitalization—right letter case
Price: $0.01 to $0.02 per word
My Stipulations
While I do not mandate that every work I edit be explicitly Christian—in fact, I warmly welcome more subtle approaches—I do require that all of my projects be compatible with a Christian worldview and values. Specifically, I will not edit works that include:
- Gratuitous profanity or obscenity
- Gratuitous violence
- On-page sex (off-page / closed door or implied sex depends on context)
Due to a personal preference, I will not edit the horror genre.
At any point, I reserve the right to decline a project promoting ideas conflicting with my religious values.