Summary

FAQs

• What's the difference between copyediting and line editing? How do I know which one I need?

  There are a few differences between a copyedit and a line edit. In a copyedit, I correct errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and I look for stylistic consistency. (For instance, I make sure that your journal article doesn’t use “semiannual” on p. 2 and “semi-annual” on p. 17, or that Chapter 3 of your novel doesn’t shift from past to present tense halfway through.) In a line edit (also sometimes referred to as a substantive edit), I do all of that and also make sure that the text flows well and the ideas are clearly conveyed at the sentence and paragraph level. This means I might rewrite some sentences, move paragraphs around, and add or rephrase text to create stronger connections between ideas. If you reread your work and think, “There must be some better way to say this,” then you probably need a line edit. Not immediately sure which one you need? Most people aren’t. Don’t worry, I charge the same hourly rate for copyediting and line editing, and when we initially discuss the project, I make sure that my editing is tailored to your needs.

• What will the total cost for my project be?

  I charge an hourly rate, and if you send me a sample of the document you need edited, I'm happy to provide a time/cost estimate. I've found that my approximate editing pace is as follows: Copyediting for fiction, general audience nonfiction, or website/blog text: 1,500-2,000 words/hour Copyediting/line editing for academic journal articles or dissertations: 1,200-1,700 words/hour Heavy line editing/copyediting for academic journal articles or dissertations: 1,000-1,300 words/hour