Types of editing · Step 4 of 5 · the details
Copyedit
Grammar, spelling and consistency, fixed before a reader trips on them.
3.5¢ a word · $300 minimum
What you get
What the edit covers
Grammar, spelling and punctuation
Fixed to the standard most books follow, The Chicago Manual of Style, unless your book needs something else.
Consistency
Names, dates, places, capitals and timelines kept the same from the first page to the last. In memoir, that includes the facts.
A style sheet
A record of every spelling and style choice in your book, so the proofread, and your next book, match.
Is it right for your book?
When it fits, and when it doesn’t
It’s right for you if:
- Your final draft is written and you’re happy with how it reads.
- You want it right before it’s typeset.
- You’ve read it so many times you can’t see the mistakes any more.
Choose something else if:
- You still plan to change chapters or rewrite sections. Copyedit last, or it gets paid for twice.
- Your book is already formatted. That’s a proofread.
Questions
Good to know
Will a copyedit change my style?
No. A copyeditor corrects and makes things consistent. Choices of style that are yours stay yours.
Do I still need a proofread?
Yes. Formatting a book can introduce new errors, so the proofread checks the final pages.
Will I see every change?
Yes. Every change is shown, and you accept or reject each one.
Not sure which edit you need?
Tell us about your book. We’ll read a sample and recommend the edit it needs, with a written quote.