I work with individuals and organizations to carefully edit and rewrite content tailored to their needs. I perform meticulous and mindful copy editing of academic articles and books, business and marketing materials, nonfiction books and articles, and history-related books, including memoirs and biographies. I make you look good by catching misspellings, inconsistencies, and incorrect information.
In addition to correcting spelling and grammatical errors, I check facts, tighten sentences, improve wording, and help make your text easier to understand so that readers do not stumble over words, phrases, or ideas. Text that is clear inspires confidence and trust and helps you better connect with your audience.
The editor’s job is to make you look good.
Good writing is more than correct spelling, grammar, and structure—it’s about the quality of your message. An experienced editor ensures that your writing is the best it can be, and that your text is consistent, flows well, and is free from embarrassing errors. How your message is presented affects how your readers perceive you and your words. The perfect word can make a remarkable difference, and even subtle changes in phrasing can transform a so-so manuscript into one that is compelling and engaging.
I pride myself on being professional and respectful, and I believe in creating successful author-editor relationships. As an author, you need a professional who supports you and your work—someone who has honed the craft and skill of editing over many years and many manuscripts. In the special author-editor relationship, the right editor is equal parts teacher, cheerleader, and diplomat and knows how to create a relationship based on mutual respect and consideration.
Editing Process
- Initial discussion about your project. This includes type of project, length, edit level, and time frame.
- I perform a short sample edit of your work (about 1,000 words) so that I can assess the editing level and you can see how I edit. I can also provide an estimate of time and cost.
- After we agree to work together, we discuss the logistics of the project and sign a letter of agreement.
- I request a deposit to guarantee time in my schedule for your project. This can vary from 25% to 50%.
- I edit your document and contact you if I have questions that need to be answered to facilitate the editing.
- You review the edited document, comments, and questions. You can reject or discuss changes and/or provide updated text.
- If you update text based on my questions and comments, I review that updated text to ensure consistency.
- At the end of the project, I invoice you for the remainder of the fee.
Contact me for a document that describes the editing process in further detail.
Editing Levels and Types
Proofreading
Proofreading entails reading the final document to catch any last-minute errors in spelling or grammar and to ensure page numbers, footers, and organization are correct. It is not the same as copy editing or line editing and is not meant to improve sentences or readability.
Copy Editing
Copy editing entails editing for spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation and can be light, medium, or heavy (this is where copy editing crosses the border into line editing). It can also involve formatting the document and checking facts.
Line Editing
Line editing involves reviewing the manuscript at the sentence and paragraph level to improve the language. A line edit removes overused or redundant words, improves the sentence flow, and resolves inconsistencies, awkward transitions, and unclear passages. It also involves checking facts.
Academic Editing
Academic editing entails helping academics with their articles and books by providing standard copy editing and line editing. I can also review your document from an organizational perspective to make sure the content flows. I fact-check names, dates, and places to ensure accuracy and can help you with the front and back matter. I ensure notes and references are formatted to the appropriate standard (Chicago and APA). I can also help you polish your applications and cover letters.
Language Editing
Language editing entails helping those who speak and write English as a second language. This includes making sure the correct or best words are used, fixing problems with prepositions, and ensuring that the English matches the intended readership, whether it’s academic text or marketing materials.
Technical Editing
Technical editing includes user documentation, online help, white papers, newsletters, reports, user interface text, and websites in the areas of high-tech, legal, and general business. I specialize in making complex material easier to read and understand, whether geared toward subject matter experts or novices. I am expert with AP, Microsoft, and Bluebook style.
Style Guides
I have experience using numerous style guides, but am most familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style, APA, the AP Stylebook, the Bluebook (legal), the Microsoft Manual of Style (technical), and many others. I also edit British English using the Oxford Style Manual, the Cambridge Handbook for Editors, and the Copyeditors Handbook.
Although style guides provide consistency and standardize text, I believe in being flexible so that styles are in line with the document. It takes an experienced editor to know when to bend, ignore, or create new rules to benefit the text. The bottom line is clarity and readability.