What I do
Simply put, I work with you and your words. My edit tasks can range from a precise line-by-line examination of your manuscript right through to a broad-perspective evaluation addressing voice, structure, and tone. I have worked with fiction authors on novels and short stories, memoir and poetry authors, and non-fiction authors on articles and papers in various subjects—see more on this in my portfolio of recent work.
In general, the work that I do covers four main areas: developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. An individual edit can encompass one or more of these.
Developmental (or structural) editing: This process is to shape your text and deal with big-picture issues. This stage looks at larger-work aspects like genre, tense, narrative voice, plot, dramatic arc, characterisation, pace, and audience. Questions are asked and decisions are made in relation to the entire work. The text is considered in relation to what will maintain the reader’s interest and make them want to continue to read your work.
Line editing: In this sentence-level process, the text is examined in depth for sense and flow within the text. Elements such as sentence length, punctuation, syntax, and language style are reviewed and made consistent within the work. Continuity, POV, and other elements of story and characterisation can also be looked at here, though ideally larger issues have already been addressed. This process is often combined with copyediting.
Copyediting: In this work, incorrect or inconsistent spelling, grammar and punctuation are taken care of. These corrections will insure that the reader does not get distracted by errors, word echos, repetition, etc. within the writing. This is also where elements of story, character, continuity, tense, etc. can be checked to ensure there are no remaining mistakes that might have been missed in earlier stages of editing.
Proofreading: The final stage of a written work. Any mistakes, layout problems, or technical issues are found and flagged so they can be corrected before a work goes to publication. The last buff and polish before the big show.
I also offer evaluations of texts and manuscripts that can help determine what stage your work is at and how we could best work with your text.
My rates are in line with the suggested rates of the CiEP. Please contact me for a quote specific to your project.