The following menu provides detailed descriptions of the copyediting and proofreading services that I provide. That said, every project is different, so before embarking on any of the services detailed below, I’ll review an excerpt of your piece, determine what it needs, and provide you with a quote. Then we can talk about narrowing or enhancing the scope of my suggested edit.

Developmental Edit
A developmental or substantive edit involves evaluating the text as a whole in terms of scope, organization, intended audience, tone, and flow. After an initial read-through of your piece, I’ll provide you with feedback and recommendations for broader content revisions.

Heavy Copyedit
A heavy copyedit focuses on improving flow, clarifying text, and generally “tightening up” your content. I ensure the text adheres to the style guide of your choice (depending on the discipline in which you’re writing, this might be APA, MLA, AP, or Chicago Manual of Style). I also create a style guide specific to your piece to apply consistency to the edit and maintain your voice. I rework passive, bloated sentences into active, lean text.

Light Copyedit
A light copyedit is like a good spring cleaning — I correct grammar and spelling errors, apply parallel structure, tidy up footnotes, and revise the text according to the style guide of your preference. Instead of rewriting any clumsy sentences I might encounter — as I would in a Heavy Copyedit — I throw the ball back in your court by suggesting revisions or submitting queries where I feel the text would benefit from elaboration or clarification.

Proofread
Request a proofread if you feel confident about the flow, organization, and tone of your text but are looking to polish the material. I correct grammatical and spelling errors, ensure correct placement of figures and tables, and format footnotes per your preferred style guide. I don’t monkey with your word choice or voice.