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What Do I Need?
Substantive Editing
If your manuscript has not yet been reviewed by a third party, you may need to nail down the organization and tone. You may benefit from feedback including suggestions to add, delete, or revise passages or sections of your text. The editor may point out places where more explanation is needed or where it would be a good idea to discuss a topic you have not included. The editor may carry out significant revision at the paragraph level to liven up dull introductions, frame information more clearly or communicate a message more strongly, and better "hook" the reader.
Copyediting
If you feel that your manuscript does not need any further development or suggestions, copyediting will help you tighten up your prose. Copyediting changes passive to active voice (where appropriate) and ensures that complex sentences and lists are structured correctly. It eliminates redundancies and reduces the use of jargon; improves word choice; and streamlines clunky sentences. The creation of a style sheet, which notes preferred spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation of words, imposes consistency on the manuscript. Punctuation is corrected, and facts are checked.
Proofreading
If your manuscript has already been copyedited by a third party or if pages are already laid out, you may need only proofreading. The point of proofreading is to catch any mistakes and ensure consistency. Proofreading may include light copyediting, to really polish the work to a shine. Unlike editing, proofreading usually involves pen and paper—in publishing parlance, markup of hardcopy. It's the final step before you put your work out into the world.
Intelligent Editing Rates
- Proofreading: $2.50 to $3 per page
- Copyediting: 1¢ to 1.5¢ per word
- Substantive Editing: 1.5¢ to 2¢ per word
Minimum charge $30.
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