What is Copyediting?
Copyediting is a crucial stage in the editorial process that focuses on ensuring the technical accuracy, clarity, and consistency of a manuscript. It helps with fine-tuning of which words are used, and it often leads in to line editing, and it gives the copyeditor guidance on the author’s tone.
Unlike line editing, which addresses style and flow, copyediting is primarily concerned with correcting errors to ensure the text adheres to standard language conventions. This process is where I would make minor adjustments to improve sentence clarity without altering the author’s voice or intent. It also leans in to the style guide that the author specified. Standardizing spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, and usage throughout the manuscript, it is a granular edit and it polishes the manuscript by giving it consistency in the way that it looks with its formatting.
This is also where checking for factual accuracy in the text would happen.
My rates for copyediting are from $.02-$.04 per word. Please contact me if you would like to discuss your project. I offer bundle prices for multiple services, and payment plans, if you need them.
Carol Darnell 